Top 10 Most Expensive Transfers in the History of Football

The world of football has evolved significantly, becoming a major business where financial deals play a crucial role. The rise of television and other economic factors has led to record-breaking transfer fees. Paris Saint-Germain shook up the football world in the summer of 2017 by signing Neymar from Barcelona and then quickly luring Kylian Mbappe away from Monaco. They are still the two most expensive players of all time, but there is no disputing that PSG’s astonishing double swoop significantly inflated the transfer market.

Indeed, a succession of huge transfers followed, with Barcelona seeking to fill Neymar’s gap by buying players like Ousmane Dembele, Philippe Coutinho, and Antoine Griezmann for nine figures. In Spain, Atlético Madrid paid €126 million for Benfica’s tremendous attacking gem João Félix, while Real Madrid eventually bought Eden Hazard to the Santiago Bernabéu for €100 million.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the transfer market, although within a few seasons, several clubs, particularly in England, had recovered. Since 2021, Premier League clubs have signed numerous players for large sums of money, including Declan Rice, Enzo Fernández, Jack Grealish, Jadon Sancho, Mykhailo Mudryk, Antony, Darwin Nunez, and Moises Caicedo. Let’s look at the top 10 most expensive transfers in the history of club football.

List of the 10 Most Expensive Transfers in the History of Club Football

10. Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool (2025) – £100m

Florian Wirtz, after an incredible season with Bayer Leverkusen, is all set to join Liverpool with a deal reaching up to £100m (excluding add-ons). The German midfielder is all set to become the most expensive signing in the Reds’ history. With add-ons, the transfer fee will reach up to £ 150+ million, as reported.

9. Jack Grealish – Aston Villa to Manchester City (2021) – £100m

Manchester City made waves in 2021 by splashing out £100m to bring Jack Grealish from Aston Villa, highlighting their desire for top-quality domestic talent.

8. Moisés Caicedo – Brighton to Chelsea (2023) – £100m

In 2023, Chelsea invested £100m to acquire Moisés Caicedo from Brighton, underlining their commitment to acquiring promising young talents for the future.

7. Declan Rice – West Ham to Arsenal (2023) – £105m

Arsenal broke records in 2023 by signing Declan Rice from West Ham for £105m, making him the most expensive British player in history at the time.

6. Philippe Coutinho – Liverpool to Barcelona (2018) – £105m

Philippe Coutinho’s transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona in 2018 initially cost £105m, rising to €140+ million with add-ons. The Brazilian playmaker was seen as a crucial signing to bolster Barcelona’s attacking prowess.

5. Antoine Griezmann – Atlético Madrid to Barcelona (2019) – £107m

Barcelona secured Antoine Griezmann’s services from Atlético Madrid for £107m in 2019, aiming to strengthen their forward line with his skills and goal-scoring ability.

4. Enzo Fernández – Benfica to Chelsea (2023) – £107m

Chelsea made headlines in 2023 by signing Enzo Fernández from Benfica for £107m. The midfielder’s move highlighted Chelsea’s willingness to invest in emerging talent with high potential.

3. João Félix – Benfica to Atlético Madrid (2019) – £113m

Atlético Madrid splashed out £117m to secure the services of Portuguese prodigy João Félix from Benfica in 2019. The hefty fee showcased the club’s ambition and faith in the young forward’s potential.

2. Kylian Mbappé – Monaco to PSG (2017) – £165.7m

Joining PSG initially on loan from Monaco, Kylian Mbappé’s permanent transfer became one of the most expensive deals ever, totaling £165.7m with additional bonuses, solidifying his status as one of the world’s top talents.

1. Neymar – Barcelona to PSG (2017) – £200m

Neymar’s move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 sent shockwaves through the football world. PSG shattered the transfer record with a staggering £200m fee for the Brazilian superstar, marking a new era in football economics.