The 11 Most Expensive Football Transfers of all Time

Nowadays, there is enormous talent in the football world. Even though more and more clubs are attempting to identify them early on so they can sign them and train at home, Some of them make their breakthrough too late and must compete for the big bucks. 

Here is a list of the ten players who have been paid the most money in history.

11. Romelu Lukaku (115 million)

Romelu Lukaku's return to Chelsea made him the biggest transfer fee in the history of the club. With the 115 million the London club paid for the player, clubs have now spent 327 million on the Belgian over the course of his career.

10. Eden Hazard (115 million)

Along with an additional 30 million euros in variable fees, Real Madrid paid 100 million euros for the Belgian in the summer of 2019. As of today, in fact, the cost is already at 115 million euros. Following a scam in the nation, several Belgian media outlets reported that Chelsea had actually received 160 million, a figure that the "Merengues" denied.

9. Cristiano Ronaldo (117 million)

He has made history in many ways, including the cost of his transfers. He was acquired by Real Madrid from Manchester United in 2009 for 96 million, a sum never before paid by a club. Then, in the summer of 2018, he became the most expensive transfer in Serie A history when Juventus paid the Santiago Bernabeu team 117 million.

8. Jack Grealish (117.5 million)

In the summer of 2021, Manchester City spent an incredible €117.5 million to buy one of the most talked-about players in the Premier League and the captain of Aston Villa, breaking the bank.

7. Antoine Griezmann (120 million)

Even though the red-and-whites fought to prove they were mistaken, Barcelona used the Frenchman's clause being lowered from 200 million to 120 million to sign him from Atletico Madrid. The striker then equaled the 120 million fixed price that Barca had paid for Coutinho just moments earlier.

6. Enzo Fernandez (121 million)

Chelsea attempted to sign him in January 2023 after being impressed by his outstanding World Cup performance. Although Benfica stood firm, in the end an offer of 121 million euros led to his transfer to the Blues.

5. Joao Felix (127.2 million)

In an unexpected move, Atletico Madrid broke the bank to wager on the Portuguese. To the 126 million of investment, the Madrid club had to add the 1.2 of the solidarity payment mechanism to Porto.

4. Ousmane Dembele (135 million)

He originally cost Barcelona 105 million, but they have already paid 135 million for the bonuses that have been paid out, making him another illustration of Borussia Dortmund's economic and athletic management and a model of modern transfer.

3. Phillipe Coutinho (135 million)

A few months after Dembele became Barcelona's most costly buyout, Coutinho followed suit, pushing the record to an all-time high of €120 million. His contract also contained easily enforceable variables that estimated the expenditure to be approximately €135 million.

2. Kylian Mbappe (145 million)

His case was the first and most well-known instance of a loan with a buyout option. Monaco sent him on loan to PSG with a huge mandatory purchase option of 145 million. Although there was speculation at the time that it would be 180, the French striker would need to be transferred before the end of his contract (2022) or have his contract renewed, neither of which has occurred yet, in order for the remaining 35 to be fulfilled. That's what 'L'Equipe' upholds. 

1. Neymar (222 million)

No one seems to be able to surpass this record. Given that it seemed impossible that a sheikh's checkbook could separate him from Leo Messi, it was not only the largest investment in history but also an unprecedented football marketing campaign. PSG paid a clause without a bonus or negotiation, which at the time seemed unaffordable.

Cover Credits - Sky News