The 15 most expensive football transfers of 2024: From cheapest to most expensive

December 23, 2024 Editorial team

The 2024 transfer window has once again proven that clubs are prepared to invest heavily in top talent. From emerging prodigies to seasoned stars, this year’s market saw a host of eye‐catching moves across Europe and beyond. In this slideshow, we’ll guide you through each of the 15 biggest transfers, starting with the most affordable and ending with the costliest deal of all.

Manuel Ugarte – £42.1m

Moving from Paris Saint-Germain to Manchester United, the Uruguayan midfielder has caught the eye with his tenacity and ball‐winning skills. He is expected to bring extra stability and energy to United’s engine room.

Désiré Doué – £42.1m

Desire Doue — Photo: Mikolaj Barbanell / Shutterstock.com

A rising talent transitioning from Stade Rennais to Paris Saint-Germain, Doué’s creative flair and confident dribbling have quickly earned him a reputation in Ligue 1. PSG hope his attacking versatility will strengthen their midfield and forward lines.

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João Palhinha – £43m

Swapping Fulham for Bayern Munich, Palhinha is known for his robust defensive abilities and impressive work rate. The Portuguese international will look to shore up Bayern’s midfield and maintain their dominance in the Bundesliga.

Douglas Luiz – £43.4m

Leaving Aston Villa for Juventus, Douglas Luiz has been pivotal in Villa’s recent successes. At Juve, the Brazilian midfielder’s passing range and composure under pressure should prove valuable in Serie A and beyond.

João Félix – £43.8m

Joao Felix — Photo: ph.FAB / Shutterstock.com

Switching from Atlético Madrid to Chelsea, João Félix is an adaptable forward with exceptional technical quality. After flashes of brilliance in Spain and England, he will be eager to cement his place as a key player at Stamford Bridge.

Michael Olise – £44.7m

A skilful attacking midfielder moving from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich, Olise has dazzled the Premier League with his creativity and set‐piece prowess. Now in Germany, he aims to make an immediate impact alongside Bayern’s star‐studded attack.

Teun Koopmeiners – £46.1m

Transitioning from Atalanta to Juventus, the Dutch midfielder is lauded for his precise long‐range passing and penalty‐taking expertise. Koopmeiners’ discipline and vision will be key assets as Juventus seek to reclaim Serie A glory.

Dani Olmo – £46.35m

After shining at RB Leipzig, Olmo secures a move to Barcelona, where his flair and versatility are perfectly suited to the club’s possession‐based style. The Spanish international will hope to further hone his creative talents at Camp Nou.

Amadou Onana – £50.1m

From Everton to Aston Villa, the powerful Belgian midfielder provides a formidable presence in the centre of the park. Onana’s combination of physicality and technique will bolster Villa’s ambitions both domestically and in Europe.

João Neves – £50.5m

Joao Neves — Photo: ph.FAB / Shutterstock.com

Making the leap from Benfica to Paris Saint-Germain, Neves has quickly established himself as a dynamic option in midfield. PSG anticipate his energy, distribution, and attacking instincts will blend well with their star‐studded squad.

Moussa Diaby – £51.6m

Switching from Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad, Diaby has already showcased his pace and finishing skills in Europe. His move to Saudi Arabia represents both a new challenge and a chance to continue honing his forward instincts.

Pedro Neto – £51.6m

Traded from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Chelsea, Neto combines technical wizardry with relentless energy on the wing. Despite injury setbacks in the past, the Portuguese star is determined to shine at Stamford Bridge.

Leny Yoro – £52.18m

A highly rated young defender heading from Lille to Manchester United, Yoro is known for his mature positioning and calm on the ball. United hope he can become a future mainstay in their back line.

Dominic Solanke – £55m

Making the journey from AFC Bournemouth to Tottenham Hotspur, Solanke has refined his finishing touch and link‐up play in recent Premier League campaigns. Spurs anticipate his continued development under their attacking philosophy.

Julián Álvarez – £82m

Finally, the most expensive move sees Álvarez leave Manchester City for Atlético Madrid. Known for his intelligent movement and lethal finishing, the Argentine forward aims to lead the line in Spain and help Atlético mount a serious title challenge.