The 20 Most Expensive Football Transfers of All Time – Ranked From 20-1

September 6, 2025 Kris Isaksen

The football transfer market has evolved into a high-stakes arms race, where clubs are willing to break the bank for game-changing talent. From iconic signings to massive flops, here’s a countdown of the top 20 most expensive transfers ever – starting at number 20 and building up to the record-breaking number one.

20. Cristiano Ronaldo – £83m (Manchester United to Real Madrid, 2009)

Ronaldo’s move to Madrid redefined football transfers and set a new global benchmark. With 450 goals in 438 appearances, he paid back the investment tenfold – and Real even sold him at a profit years later.

19. Gareth Bale – £85m (Tottenham to Real Madrid, 2013)

Bale was brought in to form the “BBC” trio with Ronaldo and Benzema and scored in two Champions League finals. Despite injuries and attitude concerns, he left Madrid with a legacy of decisive moments and silverware.

18. Paul Pogba – £85m (Juventus to Manchester United, 2016)

Returning to Old Trafford for a then-record fee, Pogba symbolized United’s post-Ferguson confusion. Talented but inconsistent, he walked away on a free transfer after six mixed seasons.

17. Kai Havertz – £89m (Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea, 2020)

Havertz delivered Chelsea’s Champions League-winning goal in 2021 and was later sold on for a healthy fee. While not beloved by fans, his impact in key moments earns him credit.

16. Romelu Lukaku – £97m (Inter Milan to Chelsea, 2021)

Photo: Gennaro Di Rosa / Shutterstock.com

Lukaku returned to Chelsea as a marquee striker but quickly fell out of favor after clashing with Tuchel. His lack of impact and recurring loans made him a costly misfire.

15. Moises Caicedo – £100m (Brighton to Chelsea, 2023)

Caicedo’s move was part of Chelsea’s post-takeover spending spree, and while not a standout, he’s brought needed balance. His decision to reject Liverpool added drama to the deal.

14. Jack Grealish – £100m (Aston Villa to Manchester City, 2021)

City made Grealish the most expensive British player ever, hoping he’d be their X-factor. While he contributed to a Treble win, he never fully hit the heights expected of him.

13. Declan Rice – £101m (West Ham to Arsenal, 2023)

Rice chose the Emirates over the Etihad and has already transformed Arsenal’s midfield. His performances, including European heroics, justify the hefty price tag so far.

12. Enzo Fernandez – £103m (Benfica to Chelsea, 2023)

Enzo Fernández — Ringo Chiu / Shutterstock.com

Chelsea splurged on Enzo after the World Cup, but he’s yet to show consistent form at club level. Benfica cashed in big, and Fernandez remains a divisive figure at Stamford Bridge.

11. Cristiano Ronaldo – £103.5m (Real Madrid to Juventus, 2018)

Juve hoped Ronaldo would bring European glory, but despite strong individual stats, they fell short. His signing marked the start of their decline rather than a new era of dominance.

10. Antoine Griezmann – £105m (Atletico Madrid to Barcelona, 2019)

Barcelona signed Griezmann with no clear plan, and he struggled to fit in. He eventually returned to Atleti, where he rekindled his form – at a fraction of the price.

9. Eden Hazard – £105m (Chelsea to Real Madrid, 2019)

Hazard arrived as a Galactico but injuries limited him to just 76 games in four years. His move marked the end of Madrid’s era of superstar signings – and not in a good way.

8. Florian Wirtz – £108m (Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool, 2025)

Wirtz joined Liverpool after an incredible season in Germany, becoming one of Europe’s most exciting talents. Still early days, but the hype around him is massive – and warranted.

7. Jude Bellingham – £110m (Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid, 2023)

Bellingham became Real Madrid’s main man in his first season, leading them to Champions League glory. He’s a generational talent already looking like a bargain for the Spanish giants.

6. Joao Felix – £111m (Benfica to Atletico Madrid, 2019)

Felix never fit Diego Simeone’s system and quickly became a problem rather than a solution. Despite multiple loan spells, he’s yet to recapture his early promise.

5. Philippe Coutinho – £118m (Liverpool to Barcelona, 2018)

Barcelona paid top dollar for Coutinho, only to watch him flop and score against them on loan at Bayern. Liverpool reinvested the money brilliantly, while Barça never recovered the cost.

4. Alexander Isak – £125m (Newcastle to Liverpool, 2025)

Liverpool shocked everyone by landing Isak in a record British deal. Now, all eyes are on whether the Swedish striker can justify the fee and settle into Arne Slot’s system.

3. Ousmane Dembele – £130m (Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona, 2017)

Ousmane Dembélé — Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com

Injuries and inconsistency defined Dembele’s time at Barcelona. Only after leaving did he rediscover top form, ironically replacing Neymar again – this time at PSG.

2. Kylian Mbappe – £159m (Monaco to PSG, 2018)

Mbappe’s move helped make PSG a global brand, with 235 goals to his name. He didn’t bring the Champions League, but he was their standout star through years of instability.

1. Neymar – £195m (Barcelona to PSG, 2017)

Still the most expensive transfer ever, Neymar joined PSG to step into the spotlight – but fell short of superstardom. While brilliant at times, his failure to lead them to European dominance defines the legacy of this record-breaking move.