Wayne Rooney, Theirry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo

The 20 Greatest Premier League Transfers of All Time – Ranked

July 30, 2025 Rasmus Kristensen

The Premier League is home to drama, passion, and — above all — unforgettable transfers. Over the years, clubs have broken records, unearthed hidden gems, and made bold moves that changed the course of football history. Some signings turned into instant icons, others took time to shine, but all left a lasting legacy.

In this countdown, we rank the 20 greatest Premier League transfers of all time — based on impact, value, and their place in the league’s rich history. From legendary goalscorers to defensive titans, these are the deals that defined an era.

20. Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole’s 2006 move from Arsenal to Chelsea caused huge controversy, but it proved to be a masterstroke for the Blues. At Stamford Bridge, Cole cemented his place as one of the best left-backs in Premier League history, winning league titles and the Champions League.

19. Riyad Mahrez

Leicester City paid just £400,000 to sign Mahrez from Le Havre — a deal that turned into one of the biggest bargains in football. He was a driving force behind Leicester’s fairytale 2016 title win and later became a multiple champion with Manchester City.

18. Sol Campbell

Campbell crossed the North London divide in 2001, leaving Tottenham on a free transfer to join rivals Arsenal. He became the rock of the “Invincibles” defense and helped the Gunners complete their unbeaten league campaign in 2003–04.

17. Andrew Robertson

Liverpool secured Andrew Robertson from Hull City for only £8 million, a modest fee for a player who became one of the world’s top full-backs. His relentless energy, creativity, and defensive work helped the Reds win both the Premier League and Champions League.

16. Alan Shearer

Alan Shearer with his wife — Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

After winning the league with Blackburn, Shearer joined his boyhood club Newcastle United for a then-world-record £15 million. Though he didn’t add more trophies, his 260 Premier League goals still stand as the all-time record.

15. Dennis Bergkamp

Arsenal brought in Bergkamp from Inter Milan in 1995, and he soon became one of the most elegant and intelligent attackers the league had ever seen. His flair and vision transformed the Gunners' style and inspired a generation of playmakers.

14. N’Golo Kanté

N'Golo Kante — Photo: ph.FAB / Shutterstock.com

After helping Leicester City pull off the unthinkable, Kanté made the switch to Chelsea in 2016. He became one of the most influential midfielders of his generation, winning the Premier League again and establishing the “Kanté role” in modern football.

13. Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City signed De Bruyne from Wolfsburg in 2015 after his underwhelming stint at Chelsea. At the Etihad, he developed into a world-class midfielder, leading City’s dominance with unmatched vision, passing, and consistency.

12. Petr Čech

Chelsea’s 2004 signing of Čech from Rennes brought them one of the most reliable goalkeepers in Premier League history. His shot-stopping and clean sheet records were key to the club’s title-winning years under José Mourinho and beyond.

11. Wayne Rooney

Manchester United paid Everton a record fee for a teenager in 2004 to secure Wayne Rooney’s services. He quickly became a club legend, scoring 253 goals and winning five Premier League titles plus a Champions League crown.

10. Virgil van Dijk

Liverpool spent £75 million to bring Van Dijk from Southampton — a hefty price at the time. But the Dutch center-back transformed their defense and was instrumental in winning the 2019 Champions League and the club’s first league title in 30 years.

9. Frank Lampard

Chelsea signed Lampard from West Ham in 2001, and he went on to become their all-time top scorer — from midfield. His work rate, intelligence, and knack for scoring made him one of the Premier League’s most complete and dependable players.

8. Roy Keane

Manchester United signed a young Roy Keane from Nottingham Forest in 1993, and he soon became Sir Alex Ferguson’s enforcer and captain. With relentless drive and leadership, Keane powered United through one of the most dominant periods in English football.

7. Sergio Agüero

Agüero joined Manchester City from Atlético Madrid in 2011 and delivered immediate impact — including the legendary last-minute goal that won the title in 2012. A five-time champion and City’s all-time leading scorer, his legacy is secure.

6. Didier Drogba

Chelsea paid £24 million to bring Drogba from Marseille in 2004, and he became the ultimate big-game striker. From league titles to a decisive goal in the 2012 Champions League final, Drogba was always the man for the moment.

5. Vincent Kompany

Manchester City signed Kompany from Hamburg in 2008 for just £6 million, just before the club’s financial revolution. He evolved into the club's most iconic captain, leading them through their rise and winning four league titles.

4. Mohamed Salah

Liverpool gambled on Salah in 2017, bringing him back to England from Roma after a failed stint at Chelsea. He shattered expectations, breaking scoring records and leading the Reds to Premier League and Champions League glory.

3. Eric Cantona

Manchester United snatched Cantona from Leeds United for just £1.2 million in 1992. His arrival sparked a dynasty at Old Trafford, blending flair with leadership and inspiring a new era of dominance under Sir Alex Ferguson.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

Sir Alex Ferguson signed Ronaldo from Sporting CP in 2003, and the young winger evolved into a global icon. He won three league titles and a Champions League before earning United a then-world-record £80 million move to Real Madrid.

1. Thierry Henry

Arsenal signed Thierry Henry from Juventus in 1999, and he quickly blossomed into the ultimate Premier League forward. Fast, stylish, and clinical, he led the Gunners to multiple titles, including the famous “Invincibles” season, and became the club’s all-time top scorer.