The modern era of football, especially in the Premier League, has become highly attack-centric, with the strikers, wingers, and attacking midfielders taking all the plaudits. As a result, they also attract huge transfer fees, breaking records left, right, and center. The world-record transfer is still Neymar Jr.’s move to PSG from Barcelona for €222 million in 2017.
However, some defenders have also shown their prowess in recent years. They have managed to get great limelight due to their performances, helping their teams win trophies. Many teams have started realizing the importance of investing in their defense and have hence, spent loads on defenders.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have arguably been the pioneer of spending high on defenders, which has helped them win five of the last six Premier League titles. Many other teams in the English top flight have followed them in this strategy as well.
On that note, let’s take a look at the most expensive defenders in Premier League history:
10. Benjamin Mendy – £52 million
Manchester City signed Benjamin Mendy from AS Monaco for £52 million in 2017. It turned out to be a big mistake due to his off-field issues. The left-back made 75 appearances for the Cityzens before moving to FC Lorient in the summer of 2023.
9. Marc Cucurella – £55 million
Chelsea shelled out £55 million plus add-ons to sign left-back Marc Cucurella from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022. He had a terrible first season and the first half of the season at Stamford Bridge.
However, Cucurella grew into his role towards the end of the 2023-24 season and had a brilliant Euro 2024, helping Spain win the trophy. Having made 59 appearances for Chelsea, he will now look to push on from the 2024-25 season.
8. Aymeric Laporte – £57 million
Manchester City signed Aymeric Laporte for £57 million from Athletic Bilbao in January 2018. He was initially a key player for Manchester City, helping them win multiple Premier League titles.
However, Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol’s arrival meant he wouldn’t get regular playing time. Hence, after making 180 appearances for the Cityzens, Laporte moved to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr in the summer of 2023.
Also Read: Ranking Arsenal’s 10 Most Expensive Signings
7. Leny Yoro – £59 million
Manchester United beat Real Madrid and Liverpool to the signature of Lille youngster Leny Yoro in the summer of 2024. They signed the 18-year-old, who had one year left on his contract, for a whopping £59 million (including add-ons).
Yoro is considered one of the best defensive prospects in the world so it remains to be seen how big an impact he can make in the Premier League.
Also Read: Most expensive Man United transfers of all-time
6. Joao Cancelo – £60 million
Unsurprisingly, another Manchester City transfer is on the list. Joao Cancelo arrived at the Etihad from Juventus for £60 million in 2019. He was a key player for the club, making 154 appearances and registering nine goals and 21 assists. He could play both flanks and was great at inverting as well.
However, a reported falling out with Pep Guardiola saw him go out on loans to Bayern Munich and Barcelona. He is expected to leave City.
5. Ruben Dias – £65 million
Manchester City signed Ruben Dias from Benfica for £65 million in the summer of 2020. He has been one of their most important players, helping them win four Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy.
Dias has made 154 appearances for the Cityzens so far and also won the Premier League Player of the Year award in 2021.
4. Wesley Fofana – £70 million
Chelsea spent a whopping £70 million to sign Wesley Fofana from Leicester City in the summer of 2022. The centre-back was seen as one of the brightest defensive prospects in the Premier League.
However, Fofana’s time at Stamford Bridge has been riddled with multiple injury issues, restricting him to just 20 appearances so far. Moreover, with the competition at the club at an all-time high in every department, he will have to make big headway to become a regular in the starting XI.
3. Virgil van Dijk – £75 million
Liverpool faced immense criticism when they spent a then world-record fee for a defender to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton for £75 million in January 2018. However, one can now argue that he’s the only Premier League defender to have justified that price.
As a leader in defense, Van Dijk has made 270 appearances for Liverpool so far. He’s been one of their most important players, helping them win almost every trophy available. He also took over captaincy in the summer of 2023 after Jordan Henderson’s departure.
2. Josko Gvardiol – £77 million
After his brilliant performances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup for Croatia, Josko Gvardiol was in high demand the following summer. Manchester City managed to beat the competition for the centre-back, signing him for £77 million.
However, Pep Guardiola played him mostly at left-back in his debut season. While they struggled initially, Gvardiol settled in brilliantly over the course of the season, putting in some crucial performances to help them win the Premier League title.
1. Harry Maguire – £80 million
Harry Maguire remains not only the Premier League’s but the world’s most expensive defender. Manchester United signed him from Leicester City in 2019 for £80 million.
Maguire has faced a lot of ups and downs during his time at Old Trafford so far. He was given captaincy in 2021 but he was massively criticized for his performances. He lost his starting position after Erik ten Hag’s appointment as manager in 2022 and then was stripped of captaincy the following year.
Maguire did find his form back in the 2023-24 season but his time at Manchester United appears to be edging towards the end.
FAQs
Q. Who is the richest defender in the Premier League?
A. Reece James and John Stones earn over £10 million per year.
Q. Who is the highest-paid defender in football history?
A. Kalidou Koulibaly earns around £27 million per year at Al-Hilal.
Q. Who is the most expensive fullback in Premier League history?
A. Joao Cancelo, who Manchester City for £60 million from Juventus in 2019.