The Evolution of Football’s Most Expensive Transfers

The transfer windows are among the most exciting times in football, with numerous high-profile and lucrative deals captivating fans worldwide. A major turning point in the transfer market occurred in the summer of 2017 when Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) made headlines by signing Neymar from Barcelona and subsequently acquiring Kylian Mbappé from Monaco. These two players remain the most expensive in football history, with their transfers significantly inflating the market.

In the wake of Neymar’s departure, Barcelona sought to replace him by investing heavily in players such as Ousmane Dembélé, Philippe Coutinho, and Antoine Griezmann, each for nine-figure sums. Additionally, rivals like Atlético Madrid made a splash by securing Joao Félix from Benfica for €126 million, while Real Madrid finally brought Eden Hazard to the Santiago Bernabéu for €100 million.

The Covid-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted the transfer landscape, but by 2021, many clubs, particularly in England, began making substantial investments again. Notable Premier League signings since then include Declan Rice, Enzo Fernández, Jack Grealish, Jadon Sancho, Mykhailo Mudryk, Antony, Darwin Núñez, and Moisés Caicedo.

European giants, including Real Madrid, have also made significant acquisitions, bringing in talents like Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni, while Bayern Munich, known for its cautious approach, signed Harry Kane.

Recently, a new power emerged in the Middle East, with Saudi Pro League clubs revolutionizing the transfer market in 2023 by signing superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Neymar. Notably, Julian Alvarez entered the list of the top 50 most expensive players after his move to Atlético Madrid in the summer of 2024, while Alexander Isak made headlines by joining Liverpool from Newcastle for €144.5 million in 2025.

With the evolving dynamics of the transfer market, it raises the question: could the current transfer record be shattered in the near future? For now, Neymar holds the title as the most expensive player in football history, commanding a fee of €222 million.

Here are the top ten most expensive football transfers:

1. Neymar – Barcelona to PSG (2017) €222 million
2. Kylian Mbappé – Monaco to PSG (2017) €145 million (+€35 million)
3. Alexander Isak – Newcastle United to Liverpool (2025) €144.5 million
4. Joao Félix – Benfica to Atlético Madrid (2019) €126 million
5. Enzo Fernández – Benfica to Chelsea (2023) €121 million
6. Philippe Coutinho – Liverpool to Barcelona (2018) €120 million (+€40 million)
6. Antoine Griezmann – Atlético Madrid to Barcelona (2019) €120 million
8. Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool (2025) €118 million (+€19 million)
9. Moisés Caicedo – Brighton to Chelsea (2023) €117 million (+€17.5 million)
9. Declan Rice – West Ham to Arsenal (2023) €117 million (+€6 million)
9. Jack Grealish – Aston Villa to Manchester City (2021) €117 million.

Additionally, Declan Rice became the most expensive British player in history with his €116 million transfer from West Ham to Arsenal in July 2023, surpassing Jack Grealish’s previous record of €117 million.

Kylian Mbappé also holds the title of the most expensive teenager ever, having joined PSG via a loan-to-buy agreement valued at €180 million, including bonuses, while Joao Félix follows as the second-most expensive teenager.

Harry Maguire was recognized as the most expensive defender of all time when he transferred to Manchester United for €87.1 million in 2019, edging past Virgil van Dijk’s €84.5 million move to Liverpool.

In terms of goalkeepers, Kepa Arrizabalaga currently holds the record for the highest transfer fee, having been signed by Chelsea for €80 million from Athletic Club in 2018.

Neymar also made history by becoming the most expensive player transferred outside Europe when he was signed by Al-Hilal for €90 million in 2023.