Bristol City’s most expensive signings of all time including fan favourite and former Chelsea star

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The Championship season has drawn to a close, and for Bristol City, it was a campaign that offered glimpses of progress, ending in a 6th-place finish and a play-off semi-final appearance. 

While their promotion dreams were ultimately foiled, the Robins showed a clear ambition and a more exciting brand of football under Liam Manning, who has since left the club. 

This positive course, integrated with ongoing speculation that Bristol City could become the latest club to be linked with a Saudi takeover, suggests significant changes are ahead, potentially igniting belief among the Ashton Gate faithful.

The question of recruitment, and indeed financial muscle, is more relevant than ever. This is especially true as the club looks ahead to a new season under manager Gerhard Struber, known for his extraordinary Barnsley rant in 2020.

Ahead of the new season, EFL Analysis has taken a look at the five most expensive players Bristol City have ever brought to Ashton Gate.

The top five most expensive Bristol City signings

5. Nathan Baker

Nathan Baker joined Bristol City from Aston Villa in the 17/18 season for approximately £3.7 million. The defender had a notable impact in his first two seasons, forming a solid partnership at the back. However, recurring head injuries unfortunately ended his career, leading to his retirement in 2022. While he provided defensive stability when fit, the club didn’t quite get a full return on their investment in terms of longevity.

• READ MORE: Every confirmed Bristol City incoming and outgoing this summer, plus latest transfer rumours

4. Nahki Wells

Nahki Wells arrived at Bristol City from Burnley in the 19/20 season for a fee reported to be around £5 million. Wells quickly proved himself to be a prolific goalscorer for the Robins. The news that Bristol City fans are gutted that Nahki Wells will leave the club this summer highlights the impact he has had on the club and its supporters. While £5 million is a significant outlay for a Championship club, his consistent goal return and impact in the final third mean he greatly lived up to his price tag.

3. Famara Diedhiou

Famara Diedhiou was signed by Bristol City from Angers SCO in the 17/18 season for a then-club record fee of around £5.3 million. Diedhiou was a powerful striker, contributing significantly with goals and assists over his four seasons at the club. While his goal tally wasn’t always the biggest, his overall contribution to the team’s attacking play and physical presence meant he generally lived up to the fee, becoming a popular figure at Ashton Gate.

• READ MORE: Two winners and two losers as Emil Riis makes the switch to Bristol City following Preston North End departure

2. Han-Noah Massengo

Han-Noah Massengo joined Bristol City from Monaco B in the 19/20 season for an estimated fee of £6.9 million. As a young, highly-rated midfielder, he brought energy and technical ability to the Robins’ midfield. His consistency was sometimes an issue for the young player, and he ultimately departed on a free transfer in 2023. Given his eventual departure without a return on the transfer, he unfortunately did not live up to his substantial signing-on fee.

1. Tomas Kalas

Tomas Kalas became Bristol City’s most expensive signing when he joined permanently from Chelsea in the 19/20 season for a fee of around £7.7 million. After a successful loan spell, Kalas quickly became a vital presence in the heart of the Robins’ defence. He was a consistent performer when fit and proved to be an authoritative figure at the back. Despite injury issues in later seasons, his initial impact and overall contribution suggest he largely justified his club-record fee.