Barcelona are one of the greatest clubs in the world. Their achievements over the years have been immense and only a rare few clubs can claim to match them. They have gone through many phases, like many clubs, but still maintained their winning ability.
Barca had a trophyless 2023-24 season but had only won two trophies the season before. They have won 27 La Liga titles and 5 UEFA Champions League trophies, among numerous other honors. They have boasted of some of the greatest players and managers in the world over the years like Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Andres Iniesta, and more.
While they have struggled recently financially, Barcelona have still been able to attract some of the top players in the world, paying big fees for them. While some have been successful at the club, some of their signings have failed massively.
A look at most expensive Barcelona signings:
10. Ferran Torres – €55 million
Ferran Torres was one of Xavi Hernandez’s first signings as Barcelona’s manager. He arrived from Manchester City in January 2022 for €55 million. He’s had an inconsistent time at the club so far, being second fiddle to Robert Lewandowski.
Torres has scored 25 goals and 13 assists in 113 games across competitions for the Catalans, winning one La Liga and one Supercopa de Espana.
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9. Raphinha – €58 million
The Blaugrana beat competition from the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea to sign Raphinha from Leeds United in 2022 for €58 million. He’s had some injury issues during his time at Camp Nou so far but he’s made an impact whenever he’s been available.
Raphinha has scored 20 goals and provided 25 assists in 87 games for them so far, winning two trophies.
8. Miralem Pjanic – €60 million
This was more of a business deal than an actual footballing transfer. Barca signed Miralem Pjanic from Juventus for €60 million and sold them Arthur Melo for €80 million in 2020.
Pjanic failed to make an impact at Camp Nou, making just 30 appearances. He went on loan at Besiktas for the 2021-22 season before leaving as a free agent and eventually joining Sharjah FC.
7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – €69.5 million
This was another terrible transfer for Barcelona. They signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Inter Milan in 2009 for €69.5 million, with Samuel Eto’o going the other way. He scored 22 goals and provided 13 assists in 46 games for the club but could manage just one season.
Ibrahimovic fell out with manager Pep Guardiola and was sent on loan at AC Milan for the 2010-11 season before they permanently signed him in 2011 for just €24 million.
Also Read: Barcelona 2024/25 summer transfers LIVE
6. Luis Suarez – €81.7 million
After two poor signings, we move to a sensational signing. Luis Suarez arrived at Camp Nou in 2014 for €81.7 million after an incredible spell at Liverpool. During his six-year stay at the club, he scored 195 goals and provided 113 assists in 283 games.
Suarez formed a lethal partnership with Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. and helped Barca win numerous trophies, including the treble in 2015. He won four La Liga titles and one Champions League trophy, among other honors, at the club.
5. Frenkie de Jong – €86 million
Barcelona signed Frenkie de Jong from Ajax in 2019 for a big fee of €86 million. He’s made 213 appearances for them so far, scoring 17 goals and contributing 21 assists. He’s won one La Liga, one Supercopa de Espana, and one Copa del Rey at the club.
De Jong has been linked with a move away many times but has stayed and been a key player under the likes of Ronald Koeman and Xavi Hernandez. He’s likely to remain so under Hansi Flick as well.
4. Neymar – €88 million
Barcelona brought in Brazilian wonderkid Neymar from Santos in 2013 for a whopping €88 million. There was certainly a spotlight on him with such big fee and he arguably justified it brilliantly.
Neymar formed a brilliant partnership with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, scoring 105 goals and providing 65 assists in 225 games. He helped them win numerous trophies and was widely considered one of the Top 5 players in the world at one point. He then moved to PSG for a world record fee of €222 million in 2017 and currently plays for Al-Hilal.
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3. Antoine Griezmann – €120 million
The Blaugrana spent a massive €120 million to sign Antoine Griezmann from La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid and it failed big time. He registered 35 goals and 17 assists in 102 games for them, winning just one Copa del Rey.
Griezmann returned to Atletico Madrid on loan for two seasons in 2021 before they permanently signed him again in 2023 for €22 million.
2. Ousmane Dembele – €135 million
Barca signed Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund for a whopping €135 million in 2017 – the same summer they sold Neymar. However, the Frenchman couldn’t make much of an impact at the club due to his consistent injury issues.
Dembele made just 185 appearances in six seasons at the club, scoring 40 goals and providing 43 assists, winning three La Liga titles, among other honors. He then moved to PSG for €50 million in 2023.
1. Philippe Coutinho – €140 million
The most expensive and perhaps the worst signing in Barcelona’s history is spending a whopping €140 million on Philippe Coutinho in January 2018. He arrived after a brilliant spell at Liverpool, but failed to replicate it at Camp Nou.
He made 106 appearances for the Catalans, recording 25 goals and 14 assists. He spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Bayern Munich and as fate would have it, eliminated Barca in the Champions League. Coutinho eventually left on loan in January 2022 to Aston Villa before the move was made permanent that summer for just €20 million.
The Brazilian was then moved out to Al-Duhail on loan in the 2023-24 season. This year, Aston Villa has loaned him out to club Vasco da Gama in his home country.
FAQs
Q. Who is Barcelona’s most expensive signing?
A. Philippe Coutinho, who arrived for €140 million (including add-ons) from Liverpool in January 2018.
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