Ranking the Most Expensive Signings in Bundesliga History – From Lowest to Highest
Over the years, the Bundesliga has witnessed some massive transfer deals as clubs battle to secure top talents from around the world. Bayern Munich has consistently dominated the market, but other clubs like Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig have also made significant investments. Here, we look at the 30 biggest arrivals in Bundesliga history, according to Transfermarkt.
30. Sacha Boey – £25,500,000
In January 2024, Bayern Munich secured the services of French right-back Sacha Boey from Galatasaray for £25,500,000. The highly-rated defender was brought in to reinforce Bayern’s backline, following his impressive performances in Turkey. His speed and defensive prowess made him a sought-after asset for the Bavarians.
29. Karim Adeyemi – £25,500,000
Karim Adeyemi made the switch from RB Salzburg to Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022 for £25,500,000. The German forward was signed as a replacement for Erling Haaland, who had departed for Manchester City. Adeyemi’s blistering pace and finishing ability made him a crucial addition to Dortmund’s attacking options.
28. Jude Bellingham – £25,600,000
At just 17 years old, Jude Bellingham moved from Birmingham City to Borussia Dortmund in 2020 for £25,600,000. The young English midfielder was widely regarded as one of the best talents of his generation. His maturity, vision, and ability to control the midfield quickly made him an integral part of Dortmund’s squad.
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27. Mats Hummels – £25,900,000
Mats Hummels returned to Borussia Dortmund from Bayern Munich in 2019 for £25,900,000. The German center-back had previously enjoyed great success with Dortmund before joining Bayern, and his return was seen as a major boost for the team’s defense. His leadership and experience proved invaluable to Dortmund’s backline.
26. Sébastien Haller – £26,300,000
Borussia Dortmund signed Sébastien Haller from Ajax in 2022 for £26,300,000. The Ivorian striker was brought in to replace Erling Haaland and provide a strong physical presence up front. Unfortunately, shortly after his arrival, Haller was diagnosed with cancer, delaying his debut. He made a remarkable recovery and later played a key role in Dortmund’s attack.
25. Kerem Demirbay – £27,200,000
In 2019, Bayer Leverkusen completed the signing of Kerem Demirbay from TSG Hoffenheim for £27,200,000. The German midfielder was brought in to add creativity and technical ability to Leverkusen’s midfield. His vision and passing made him a crucial playmaker for the team.
24. André Schürrle – £27,200,000
VfL Wolfsburg secured the signing of André Schürrle from Chelsea in 2015 for £27,200,000. The German winger, who had played a vital role in Germany’s 2014 World Cup victory, was expected to be a game-changer for Wolfsburg. However, injuries and inconsistent form prevented him from fully living up to expectations.
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23. Sadio Mané – £27,200,000
Bayern Munich signed Sadio Mané from Liverpool in 2022 for £27,200,000. The Senegalese winger arrived with high expectations after a successful spell in the Premier League, where he helped Liverpool win multiple trophies. Despite his talent, his time at Bayern was underwhelming, and he left after just one season.
22. Dani Olmo – £29,100,000
RB Leipzig brought in Dani Olmo from Dinamo Zagreb in 2020 for £29,100,000. The Spanish attacking midfielder was highly rated for his dribbling and playmaking skills. Over the years, he has become one of Leipzig’s most important creative players, contributing goals and assists in crucial matches.
21. Benjamin Pavard – £29,800,000
Bayern Munich signed Benjamin Pavard from VfB Stuttgart in 2019 for £29,800,000. The French defender, famous for his stunning goal at the 2018 World Cup, was brought in to strengthen Bayern’s defense. He played an essential role in their 2019/20 treble-winning season.
20. Ousmane Dembélé – £29,800,000
Borussia Dortmund signed Ousmane Dembélé from Stade Rennais in 2016 for £29,800,000. The young French winger was an instant sensation with his dribbling and flair. After just one season in the Bundesliga, he was sold to Barcelona for a record-breaking fee.
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19. Renato Sanches – £29,800,000
Bayern Munich secured Renato Sanches from Benfica in 2016 for £29,800,000. The Portuguese midfielder was one of the most promising talents in Europe after winning the Golden Boy award. However, he struggled to adapt to Bayern’s system and never lived up to expectations.
18. Mats Hummels – £29,800,000
Bayern Munich signed Mats Hummels from Borussia Dortmund in 2016 for £29,800,000. The German defender, known for his composure and passing ability, was a key part of Bayern’s defensive line before returning to Dortmund three years later.
17. Dominik Szoboszlai – £30,600,000
RB Leipzig signed Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Salzburg in 2021 for £30,600,000. The Hungarian attacking midfielder was seen as one of the brightest young talents in Europe. His versatility and goal-scoring ability made him a crucial asset for Leipzig.
16. Joško Gvardiol – £31,300,000
RB Leipzig signed Joško Gvardiol from Dinamo Zagreb in 2021 for £31,300,000. The Croatian defender quickly developed into one of the best young center-backs in the world, eventually securing a move to Manchester City in 2023.
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15. Mario Götze – £31,500,000
In 2013, Bayern Munich triggered Mario Götze’s release clause, signing him from Borussia Dortmund for £31,500,000. The move was highly controversial, as Götze was a key player for Dortmund and seen as the future of the club. Although he won multiple Bundesliga titles at Bayern, he struggled with injuries and consistency before eventually returning to Dortmund in 2016.
14. Arturo Vidal – £33,400,000
Bayern Munich signed Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal from Juventus in 2015 for £33,400,000. Vidal was brought in to add aggression and leadership to Bayern’s midfield after the departure of Bastian Schweinsteiger. He played a key role in multiple Bundesliga title-winning campaigns but eventually left for Barcelona in 2018.
13. Javi Martínez – £34,000,000
In 2012, Bayern Munich made Javi Martínez the most expensive player in Bundesliga history at the time, paying £34,000,000 to Athletic Club for the Spanish defensive midfielder. Martínez became an essential figure in Bayern’s 2013 treble-winning side, known for his tactical intelligence and ability to break up opposition attacks. He remained with the club for nearly a decade, winning multiple trophies.
12. Loïs Openda – £34,000,000
RB Leipzig secured Belgian striker Loïs Openda from Lens in 2023 for £34,000,000. The pacey forward had a breakout season in France, attracting interest from several top European clubs. Leipzig moved quickly to secure his signature, adding another talented attacking option to their squad.
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11. Corentin Tolisso – £35,300,000
Bayern Munich signed Corentin Tolisso from Lyon in 2017 for £35,300,000, making him the most expensive French player to join the Bundesliga at the time. Tolisso arrived with high expectations but struggled with injuries throughout his time in Germany. While he had moments of brilliance, he was never able to fully establish himself as a key starter for Bayern.
10. Dayot Upamecano – £36,100,000
In 2021, Bayern Munich signed French center-back Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig for £36,100,000. The highly-rated defender had been a standout performer in Leipzig’s backline, and Bayern saw him as a long-term replacement for David Alaba and Jérôme Boateng. Despite some inconsistency, Upamecano has remained an important part of Bayern’s defensive setup.
9. Julian Draxler – £36,500,000
VfL Wolfsburg completed the signing of Julian Draxler from Schalke 04 in 2015 for £36,500,000. The German winger was considered one of the brightest talents in the country, and Wolfsburg hoped he would lead them to greater success. However, he struggled to meet expectations and left for Paris Saint-Germain after just two seasons.
8. Leroy Sané – £41,600,000
Bayern Munich brought in German winger Leroy Sané from Manchester City in 2020 for £41,600,000. Sané, known for his blistering speed and technical ability, was seen as the ideal successor to Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry. While he has had periods of brilliance, inconsistency has been an issue during his time at Bayern.
7. Min-jae Kim – £42,500,000
Bayern Munich signed South Korean center-back Min-jae Kim from Napoli in 2023 for £42,500,000. After a stellar season in Italy, where he helped Napoli win the Serie A title, Bayern identified him as a crucial addition to their defensive line. His physicality and ability to read the game have made him a key part of the squad.
6. Xavi Simons – £42,500,000
RB Leipzig secured Xavi Simons from Paris Saint-Germain in 2025 for £42,500,000. The Dutch attacking midfielder had an outstanding campaign at PSV Eindhoven before moving back to PSG, who then allowed him to join Leipzig. Simons’ creativity and technical skills have made him one of the most exciting young talents in the Bundesliga.
5. João Palhinha – £43,400,000
Bayern Munich signed Portuguese defensive midfielder João Palhinha from Fulham in 2023 for £43,400,000. The transfer initially collapsed during the summer window, but Bayern returned in January 2024 to finalize the deal. Palhinha’s aggressive tackling and defensive intelligence made him a key signing for Bayern’s midfield.
4. Michael Olise – £45,100,000
In 2024, Bayern Munich added highly-rated French winger Michael Olise from Crystal Palace for £45,100,000. Olise was one of the most sought-after attacking talents in the Premier League, known for his dribbling and ability to create chances. Bayern secured his signature as they looked to revamp their attacking options.
3. Matthijs de Ligt – £56,900,000
Bayern Munich signed Dutch center-back Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus in 2022 for £56,900,000. De Ligt had been one of the most promising defenders in the world since his time at Ajax, and Bayern saw him as the perfect addition to their backline. He has since been a consistent performer in their defensive setup.
2. Lucas Hernández – £68,000,000
In 2019, Bayern Munich made Lucas Hernández the most expensive signing in Bundesliga history at the time, paying £68,000,000 to Atlético Madrid for the French left-back. Injuries hampered his time in Germany, but he was an important part of Bayern’s 2020 Champions League-winning team. He later moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.
1. Harry Kane – £80,800,000
Bayern Munich shattered their transfer record in the summer of 2023 by signing English striker Harry Kane from Tottenham for £80,800,000. The move was seen as a major statement from the German giants, as they finally secured the world-class No. 9 they had been missing since Robert Lewandowski’s departure. Kane made an immediate impact, becoming the focal point of Bayern’s attack and breaking scoring records in his debut season.
