Players from Spain have been some of the best talents in the world of football over the last two decades. Such is their stranglehold on being the best footballing nation in the world that they just won a record fourth UEFA Euro 2024 title in Germany.
Players in the past such as Fernando Torres, David Villa, and Raul have set the pitch ablaze with their stunning footballing abilities. They were valued so highly at their respective peaks, with Torres the only player on this list of most expensive Spanish transfers.
However, there have been others for whom clubs have broken the bank to bring on board, with the players seldom disappointing. Having said that, let’s take a look at the 10 most expensive Spanish transfers of all time.
10. Pedro Porro | Sporting CP to Tottenham for €45m
Porro joined Spurs on an initial loan deal on transfer deadline day in January 2023, with the loan fee in the region of €5 million with an obligation to buy for a further €40 million in the summer.
An attack-minded full back by nature, Porro was known for his bursts down the right flank and providing the odd assist and scoring the odd goal.
Since joining, he has established himself as the undisputed starter at Tottenham. He has made 54 appearances for the club across competitions and has scored seven goals and provided 10 assists.
9. Gaizka Mendieta | Valencia to Lazio for €48m
One of the most highly-valued players after the turn of the millennium, Mendieta became the then-sixth-most expensive player of all-time after his move to the Serie A in 2001.
However, Mendieta’s time with Lazio did not go all swimmingly as he struggled to settle into life with his new club after nearly a decade with Valencia prior to that.
He made just 31 appearances for Lazio, providing just two assists throughout the season as he was unable to replace his predecessors Pavel Nedved and Juan Sebastian Veron.
8. Ferran Torres | Manchester City to Barcelona for €55m
Ferran Torres came through the ranks at Valencia before breaking into their first-team set up in 2017. He played for them for three years before Manchester City snapped him up in 2020.
However, he found it incredibly challenging to break into City’s starting XI, with Pep Guardiola preferring others over him. Torres made just 43 appearances for City, scoring 16 goals and providing four assists.
He then made the switch to Barcelona in January 2022 and has since made 113 appearances for the club, scoring 25 goals and providing 13 assists as well, justifying his spot among the most expensive Spanish transfers of all-time.
7. Fernando Torres | Liverpool to Chelsea for €59m
In what was a British transfer record for a player back in 2011, Fernando Torres completed a controversial move to Chelsea in January 2011 after seeing his transfer request turned down earlier. This fee was also the sixth highest fee paid for a footballer at the time.
Torres was coming off what turned out to be his most prolific spell for a club having scored 81 goals and assisted 19 in 142 appearances for the Reds. His time at Chelsea turned out to be underwhelming as the Spaniard managed just 45 goals and 31 assists in 172 appearances for the Blues.
However, Fernando Torres is remembered as one of the modern greats and also one of the most expensive Spanish transfers of all-time.
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6. Diego Costa | Chelsea to Atletico Madrid for €60m
Another striker purchased by Chelsea, Costa’s life at Stamford Bridge turned out way better than most strikers who have played for the club. The Spaniard had a reasonably prolific spell with the Blues and also spearheaded them to a Premier League title under Jose Mourinho.
Costa ended his Blues career with 59 goals and 21 assists in 120 games across competitions. He ended his career with them as a two-time Premier League winner, a League Cup winner, and also appeared in the 2014/15 PL Team of the Year.
5. Aymeric Laporte | Athletic Bilbao to Manchester City for €65m
Laporte has been one of City’s best-ever signings since making the switch from Athletic Club back in 2017. Since then, he made 121 appearances for the Cityzens in the Premier League and helped keep an impressive 64 clean sheets as well.
Laporte recently ended his six-year association with Manchester City to join Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in August 2023.
4. Marc Cucurella | Brighton to Chelsea for €65m
Less than a year after joining Brighton, Cucurella made the switch to Stamford Bridge in a record sale for the Seagulls. His impressive performances and consistent availability for Brighton in the 2021/22 season made him a top target for the Blues.
However, the Spaniard has yet to fully impress since joining Chelsea. He has made 59 appearances for the club and has scored one goal and provided four assists as he helps the west Londoners find their feet again.
3. Alvaro Morata | Real Madrid to Chelsea for €66m
In another deal which saw a Spaniard move to Chelsea, Morata made the switch from his boyhood club back in 2017. However, things did not go to plan as he failed to replicate his form with his previous clubs while he was at Stamford Bridge.
Still only 24 at the time, many expected Morata to develop into a lethal striker that would lead the Blues’ line for the foreseeable future. However, he managed just 24 goals and six assists in 72 appearances but ranks fairly high among the most expensive Spanish transfers.
2. Rodri | Atletico Madrid to Manchester City for €80m
Arguably the most impactful signing on this list, Rodri’s move to City changed his own and his new club’s fortunes as they seem like a match made in heaven. He has developed into the heartbeat of Pep Guardiola’s side and is a huge reason for their solidity.
The 28-year-old has been a key component for City and has made a whopping 257 appearances for the club, scoring 26 goals and providing 30 assists as well. He scored the winner against Inter Milan as City lifted their first and only UEFA Champions League title at the end of the 2022/23 season.
1. Kepa Arrizabalaga | Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea for €80m
Leading the list of most expensive Spanish transfers is the only goalkeeper on this list. He joined the Blues on a massive seven-year contract but has failed to nail down his place as their permanent first-choice goalkeeper.
In nearly seven seasons since joining, Kepa has made just 163 appearances for the Blues, keeping 59 clean sheets in the process. However, he has won the Champions League, the Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup as well as the FIFA Club World Cup with the Blues during his time there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who is the most expensive Spanish signing?
A. Kepa Arrizabalaga became the most expensive Spanish player in history after his €80 million move from Athletic Club to Chelsea in 2018.