Kylian Mbappe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Antoine Greizmann

The 11 Most Expensive Strikers in Football History

July 25, 2025 Rasmus Kristensen

In modern football, strikers are the crown jewels of any squad. They score the goals, grab the headlines, and often carry the hopes of entire clubs on their shoulders. As transfer fees have skyrocketed in recent years, it's no surprise that many of the game’s most expensive moves have involved attacking stars.

From record-breaking teenagers to proven goal machines, these are the 11 most expensive strikers of all time — starting from Darwin Núñez and building up to the unstoppable force that is Kylian Mbappé.

11. Darwin Núñez – £64 million

Liverpool made Darwin Núñez their record signing in 2022, snapping him up from Benfica. The Uruguayan forward came with big expectations but has struggled for consistency in the Premier League. Known for his work rate and chaotic style, Núñez still divides opinion among fans.

10. Dusan Vlahović – £66.6 million

Dusan Vlahovic — Photo: Antonio Balasco / Shutterstock.com

Juventus beat Arsenal to the signature of Dusan Vlahović in January 2022, paying Fiorentina over £66 million. The Serbian striker arrived after a blistering scoring run in Serie A, but his form has since been inconsistent. He remains a promising talent with flashes of brilliance.

9. Luis Suárez – £75 million

In 2014, Barcelona spent £75 million to bring Luis Suárez from Liverpool to Camp Nou. Despite his controversial image, Suárez quickly became one of the best in the world. He helped form the legendary MSN trio with Messi and Neymar and led Barça to a historic treble.

8. Gonzalo Higuaín – £75.3 million

Juventus shattered the Serie A transfer record in 2016 by signing Higuaín from Napoli. The Argentine striker had just broken the league’s single-season goal record. Higuaín repaid the investment with domestic titles and consistent goal-scoring, even if he never quite became a European legend.

7. Randal Kolo Muani – £76.4 million

Paris Saint-Germain took a gamble on Randal Kolo Muani in 2023 after his breakout season with Eintracht Frankfurt. The £76.4 million fee raised eyebrows given his limited top-flight experience. His first year in Paris was challenging, and he was loaned to Juventus in 2025.

6. Hugo Ekitike – £79 million

In summer 2025, Liverpool shelled out £79 million to land Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt. After failing to sign Alexander Isak, they made Ekitike their marquee striker under new boss Arne Slot. It’s a bold bet, and time will tell if the Frenchman lives up to the price tag.

5. Harry Kane – £82 million

Tottenham legend Harry Kane finally left North London in 2023 to join Bayern Munich. The German giants paid £82 million for the England captain, who immediately hit the ground running. Kane has been prolific in the Bundesliga and finally got his hands on a major trophy.

4. Romelu Lukaku – £97.5 million

Chelsea brought Romelu Lukaku back in 2021 for nearly £100 million after his impressive stint at Inter Milan. The move was meant to be a fairytale return, but it quickly turned into a nightmare. Lukaku struggled to adapt and never justified his massive fee.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo – £99.2 million

Juventus pulled off a shock in 2018 by signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid for just under £100 million. Even in his 30s, Ronaldo delivered with 101 goals in 134 games. The Portuguese icon added silverware in Italy and remained a lethal force up front.

2. Antoine Griezmann – £107 million

Photo: Maciej Rogowski Photo / Shutterstock.com

Barcelona triggered Antoine Griezmann’s release clause in 2019, ending a long pursuit of the French star. Despite his talent and versatility, Griezmann never fully settled at Camp Nou. Playing out wide to accommodate Messi and Suárez limited his impact as a true striker.

1. Kylian Mbappé – £166 million

Kylian Mbappé became the most expensive striker ever when PSG paid £166 million to sign him from Monaco in 2017. The French sensation lived up to the hype, scoring 256 goals in 308 appearances. He left on a free transfer in 2024 to join Real Madrid, capping off a legendary Paris chapter.