3. Robinho
David Howarth/EMPICS SportOn 1 September 2008, on the final day of the transfer window, Robinho completed a £33 million move from Real Madrid as a statement of intent from Manchester City's new owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group. The Arab investment company had just seized control of the Citizens, and wanted to make a "marquee signing" to announce their arrival. Unfortunately for Robinho and his new club, the striker would have been better off staying at Real Madrid. The Brazilian lasted just two seasons at City, and despite marking his debut season in England with a respectable 14 goals in 31 appearances, suffered through a dire patch of form in his second campaign, starting just 10 league games in his second and last season at Eastlands before being flogged out on loan to Santos and eventually sold to Milan.