Jose Mourinho’s 15 most expensive signings — ranked

October 23, 2025 Kris Isaksen

From Chelsea to Manchester United and Roma, José Mourinho has never been shy about making big-money moves to shape his squads. Over the years, some signings have become club legends, while others fell short of expectations. Here's a countdown from the 15th to the very top of his costliest ever transfers.

15. Willian – £30m (Anzhi to Chelsea)

Snatched from under Tottenham’s nose in a dramatic twist, Willian became a fan favorite at Stamford Bridge. His pace, creativity, and knack for big-game moments made him a key part of Mourinho’s Chelsea rebuild.

14. Luka Modric – £30m (Tottenham to Real Madrid)

Luka Modrić — Saolab Press / Shutterstock.com

Modric joined Real Madrid under Mourinho and would go on to become one of the game’s greatest midfielders. While his best years came under other coaches, Mourinho was the one who brought him to the Bernabéu.

13. Cesc Fabregas – £30m (Barcelona to Chelsea)

Cesc Fàbregas — Photo: Cosmin Iftode / Shutterstock.com

Returning to London in Chelsea blue, Fabregas made an instant impact with some sublime midfield play. His vision and passing helped deliver a Premier League title during Mourinho’s second stint at the club.

12. Victor Lindelof – £31m (Benfica to Manchester United)

Highly rated in Portugal, Lindelof arrived to bolster United’s defense but struggled to meet expectations. Despite flashes of quality, he never became the defensive cornerstone Mourinho had hoped for.

11. Eric Bailly – £45m (Villarreal to Manchester United)

Bailly showed promise early on but was plagued by injuries during Mourinho’s reign. His physical style and potential went largely unfulfilled due to long spells on the sidelines.

10. Diego Costa – £45m (Atletico Madrid to Chelsea)

A nightmare for defenders, Costa gave Mourinho’s Chelsea the bite it needed up front. His 20 goals in the 2014/15 season helped the Blues clinch another Premier League title.

9. Michael Essien – £45m (Lyon to Chelsea)

Known for his energy and power, Essien quickly became one of Mourinho’s most reliable midfielders. Their bond lasted beyond Chelsea, with Mourinho later calling him his "son" in footballing terms.

8. Didier Drogba – £45.5m (Marseille to Chelsea)

Drogba’s arrival was questioned by many, but he soon became a Chelsea legend. His iconic Champions League-winning goal in 2012 remains one of the defining moments of his career — and Mourinho's legacy.

7. Tammy Abraham – £48.5m (Chelsea to AS Roma)

Deemed surplus at Chelsea, Abraham flourished in his first Roma season under Mourinho. Injuries later hampered his momentum, but his early impact helped Roma to European silverware.

6. Henrikh Mkhitaryan – £49.7m (Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United)

Arriving with major Bundesliga hype, Mkhitaryan had a mixed time in England. He starred in the 2017 Europa League win but never quite found consistent form before being moved on.

5. Andriy Shevchenko – £51.9m (AC Milan to Chelsea)

A Ballon d’Or winner and goal machine in Italy, Shevchenko was tipped to dominate at Chelsea. But he failed to adapt, scoring just nine league goals and becoming one of Mourinho’s rare flops.

4. Nemanja Matic – £52.9m (Chelsea to Manchester United)

Trusted by Mourinho across multiple clubs, Matic was brought in to stabilize United’s midfield. While they never won silverware together at Old Trafford, the Serbian remained one of Mourinho’s most loyal soldiers.

3. Fred – £69.8m (Shakhtar Donetsk to Manchester United)

Fred’s early struggles under Mourinho raised eyebrows, especially given his hefty fee. His form improved later under new management, but Mourinho didn’t see the best of him during their brief time together.

2. Romelu Lukaku – £100.2m (Everton to Manchester United)

Lukaku hit the ground running at United, scoring 16 league goals in his first season. But questions over his fit in the system and a drop in form saw him leave for Inter Milan just two years later.

1. Paul Pogba – £124.2m (Juventus to Manchester United)

Mourinho helped bring Pogba back to United in a world-record deal, hoping to make him the team’s heartbeat. But tensions, inconsistency, and injuries defined his stay, making the deal feel like a missed opportunity despite flashes of brilliance.