5 Times Manchester City Got It Massively Wrong In The Transfer Market

A Paraguay legend who surprisingly arrived in Blackburn, City splashed over £20m on the big striker after he endeared himself to fans at Ewood Park with some excellent performances and important goals.

After the summer of 2008 had seen the failed signing of Brazilian striker Jo, City opted to look closer to home and swiftly snapped up Santa Cruz as they made Blackburn an offer they simply couldn't refuse.

Despite his impressive form for Blackburn and knowledge of the English game, Santa Cruz struggled to adapt to the new found pressure City were under, and ultimately failed to fire in the goals as was expected.

Just three Premier League goals for City saw Santa Cruz sent back to Blackburn on a short-term loan deal, but his confidence was already gone, and he failed to get back into the goalscoring groove at Ewood Park.

Five seasons in Spain followed as he rebuilt his career with Real Betis and then Malaga, but the damage in terms of his reputation over in England was firmly done.