Africa is a hotbed of talented footballers but it is still largely ignored and slept on. The likes of Mohamed Salah now and Samuel Eto’o before have established themselves as among the best in the world.
Today we look at the 10 most expensive transfers involving African players.
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List of The Most Expensive African Players
10. Sadio Mané
Sadio Mané’s transfer to Liverpool in 2016 marked a pivotal moment for both the player and the club. Joining from Southampton for a reported £34 million, the Senegalese winger quickly established himself as one of the best players in the Premier League. Known for his blistering pace, exceptional dribbling and clinical finishing, Mané formed a formidable attacking trio with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
His contributions were instrumental in Liverpool’s Champions League triumph in 2019 and Premier League title win in 2020. In 186 appearances for the Reds, the winger has scored 80 goals, contributing to one of the best periods in the club’s history. When he ultimately moved to Bayern Munich in 2022, a lot of Liverpool fans were left sad.
9. Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah’s transfer to Liverpool in 2017 for a club-record £36.9 million in what was a move that changed the course of the club. The Egyptian winger exploded onto the Premier League scene, shattering the record for most goals in a 38-game season with an astonishing 32 strikes.
His impact extended beyond goals; he contributed significantly to Liverpool’s Champions League triumph in 2019 and Premier League title in 2020. Forming the formidable “Fab Three” with Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané, Salah’s speed, dribbling, and clinical finishing made him one of the best players in world football.
With over 150 Premier League goals and numerous individual accolades, including PFA and FWA Player of the Year awards, Salah’s legacy at Anfield is legendary. He has however been a subject of a lot of Saudi interest.
8. Hakim Ziyech
Chelsea’s acquisition of Hakim Ziyech from Ajax in 2020 for a reported £37 million in what was seen at the time as a great move. The Moroccan playmaker arrived with a stellar reputation, having been instrumental in Ajax’s Champions League semi-final run in 2019. Known for his exceptional vision, passing accuracy and set-piece ability, Ziyech was expected to be a key creative force for Chelsea.
However, his Chelsea career didn’t quite materialize as anticipated. Despite glimpses of talent, consistent form and regular playing time eluded him. Factors such as competition for places, tactical adjustments, and injuries hindered his impact. While Ziyech showcased his quality in moments, his overall contribution fell short of expectations.
He contributed to only 27 goals in 107 games for Chelsea. The winger has since moved to Galatasaray.
7. Cédric Bakambu
In 2018, the football world was stunned by the transfer of Congolese striker Cédric Bakambu from Villarreal to Beijing Guoan in the Chinese Super League. The €40 million fee made him the most expensive African footballer at the time, a testament to the financial power of Chinese Super League clubs. This record-breaking deal marked an important moment in the CSL’s pursuit of global footballing stardom.
However, the transfer was shrouded in controversy due to allegations that the club was attempting to circumvent the Chinese government’s stringent tax regulations on foreign player transfers. Despite all the off-field troubles, Bakambu eventually joined the club and even secured the Chinese FA Cup in his debut season.
Bakambu’s move epitomized the CSL’s ambitious spending spree, attracting top talent from Europe with lucrative contracts. He’s right now back in Spain with Real Betis.
6. Naby Keïta
Liverpool paid a substantial £52 million to secure Naby Keïta’s services from RB Leipzig in 2018, with high hopes for the Guinean midfielder. While Keïta showcased moments of brilliance, injury woes significantly hampered his progress at Anfield. In his five seasons at Liverpool, the Guinean made 129 appearances across all competitions, scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists.
However, his impact was often inconsistent due to persistent fitness issues. The midfielder struggled to establish himself as a regular starter and faced competition for places from the likes of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Thiago Alcântara. Despite his undeniable talent, Keïta’s Liverpool career failed to reach the expected heights, culminating in his departure on a free transfer in 2023.
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5. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang arrived at Arsenal as a star after his exploits with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. The move that took place in January 2018 for a club-record £56 million was met with high expectations. The Gabonese striker quickly justified the hefty price tag, netting 92 goals in 163 matches, even leading them to a few domestic cups.
His 22-goal haul in the 2018/19 season earned him a shared Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah. However, a decline in form and disciplinary issues marred his later years at the club, especially after Mikel Arteta took over. His contract was terminated in February 2022, marking a premature end to what had been a very successful transfer.
4. Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez transferred from Leicester City to Manchester City in 2018 for a reported £60 million. The Algerian winger has been an integral part of City’s dominance in English football. Since joining the Cityzens, Mahrez has won five Premier League titles, one FA Cup, four League Cups, and two Community Shields.
His ability to create chances, score crucial goals, and seamlessly fit into Pep Guardiola’s system has been a treat to watch. With over 230 appearances for City, he has contributed significantly to the club’s trophy haul. He managed over 130 goal contributions for the Cityzens. Mahrez has since moved to Saudi Arabia with Al Ahli.
3. Achraf Hakimi
Achraf Hakimi’s transfer to PSG in 2021 was a significant acquisition for the French giants. The Moroccan wing-back arrived from Inter Milan for a reported €60 million, showcasing his status as one of the best in his position. His impact was immediate. In the 2020/21 Serie A season, Hakimi contributed significantly to Inter’s title win with 7 goals and 8 assists.
This attacking prowess translated to PSG, where he continued to be a goal threat from the wing-back position. His pace, crossing ability, and defensive solidity made him a key player. Hakimi’s overall performance at PSG has consolidated his reputation as one of the world’s top full-backs.
2. Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen’s transfer to Napoli from Lille in 2020 for a club-record fee of €70 million marked a significant investment for the Italian club which is very rare. The Nigerian striker has since justified the hefty price tag with exceptional performances. Osimhen has been instrumental in Napoli’s resurgence as a Serie A powerhouse.
His pace, power, and clinical finishing even from uncanny angles have made him a nightmare for defenders. In the 2022/23 season, he was a key figure in Napoli’s Scudetto-winning campaign, scoring 22 goals in 32 Serie A matches. The following season, he continued his impressive form, leading the Serie A scoring charts for a significant part of the campaign.
With his consistent goal-scoring exploits, Osimhen has established himself as one of Europe’s most promising strikers and a cornerstone of Napoli’s future success. The Nigerian has now been linked with a move away, however.
1. Nicolas Pépé
Arsenal made a club-record £72 million outlay to acquire Nicolas Pépé from Lille in 2019, to bring some flair and directness into their attack. The Ivorian winger showed glimpses of his talent, particularly in his debut season with nine goals and 11 assists across competitions. However, his consistency proved to be an issue. Over his Arsenal tenure, Pépé managed just 27 goals and 21 assists in 112 appearances.
Despite the fees Arsenal had spent, he struggled to adapt to the Premier League’s demands and was often criticized for inconsistency and decision-making. Ultimately, the hefty price tag and lack of regular impact led to a loan move to Nice in 2022, and subsequently, a permanent departure in 2023, marking a disappointing end to his Arsenal career.
FAQs
Q. Who is the most expensive African player in history?
A. Nicolas Pépé is the most expensive African player in history
Q. Who is the richest African footballer?
A. With an estimated net worth of $95 million, retired Cameroonian footballer Samuel Eto’o is the richest African player of all time.
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