The 15 most expensive wingers in football history, ranked

November 18, 2025 Kris Isaksen

The modern football era has seen transfer fees skyrocket, especially for attacking talent. Among the positions commanding the biggest sums are wingers—players who combine pace, flair, and goal threat. From breakout stars to established superstars, here's a ranked look at the 15 most expensive wingers in football history, starting with the priciest of them all.

15. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – £59 million

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s move to PSG from Napoli in 2025 proved a masterstroke as he helped the club win the Champions League. The Georgian winger’s incredible two-footed dribbling made him a nightmare for defenders and a perfect fit in Luis Enrique’s system. Still just in his early 20s, Kvaratskhelia is already being tipped as one of the world’s best.

14. Angel Di Maria – £59.7 million

When Angel Di Maria signed for Manchester United from Real Madrid, expectations were sky-high. Though he started strong, including a standout game against Leicester, his form quickly dipped and he was out of favour within months. His time at Old Trafford remains one of the Premier League’s most disappointing marquee signings.

13. Mykhailo Mudryk – £62 million

Photo: Vitalii Vitleo / Shutterstock.com

Chelsea swooped in at the last moment to steal Mudryk from under Arsenal’s nose, but the Ukrainian has struggled to justify the fee. After a bright performance at Anfield early on, injuries and inconsistency set in. His recent suspension has only added to the frustration surrounding his move.

12. Bryan Mbeumo – £65 million

Manchester United paid big to bring Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford in 2025. Known for his Premier League consistency, the Cameroon winger has already shown flashes of quality at Old Trafford. In an inflated market, Mbeumo’s deal might actually prove value for money.

11. Luis Diaz – £65.5 million

Luis Diaz starred for Liverpool, helping them clinch the Premier League title in 2024/25 before moving to Bayern Munich. The Colombian has continued to impress in Germany, showing his trademark cutting runs and clinical finishing. He’s now regarded as one of the top wingers in world football.

10. Nicolas Pepe – £72 million

Arsenal broke their transfer record to sign Nicolas Pepe from Lille in 2019, expecting him to be a game-changer. But while there were glimpses of his talent, he never delivered consistently and struggled to meet expectations. His eventual exit for free underscored just how badly the move went.

9. Jadon Sancho – £73 million

After shining at Dortmund, Jadon Sancho’s big-money move to Manchester United failed to take off. Inconsistency and a falling out with Erik ten Hag saw him exiled from the first team. Though he found better form with Dortmund and Chelsea later, United’s investment fell flat.

8. Neymar – £77.6 million

Neymar Jr. Al Hilal — Tasnim News Agency, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Neymar joined Al-Hilal from PSG in 2023, but his move to the Saudi Pro League was plagued by injuries. He scored only once and made just seven appearances before mutually terminating his contract in 2025. The deal was a disaster in hindsight for all involved.

7. Cristiano Ronaldo – £80 million

Real Madrid paid a then-world record £80 million for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009—and got every penny’s worth. Ronaldo delivered four Champions League titles and became the club’s all-time top scorer. His move from winger to central striker helped cement him as one of football’s greatest.

6. Antony – £81.3 million

Antony’s transfer from Ajax to Manchester United reunited him with Erik ten Hag, but the Brazilian has struggled badly. With only 12 goals in nearly 100 appearances, he’s been branded one of the worst Premier League signings. A loan to Real Betis in 2025 offered a chance to regain form.

5. Gareth Bale – £85.3 million

Real Madrid paid big to sign Gareth Bale from Spurs in 2013, breaking the world transfer record at the time. Although injuries and off-field distractions frustrated fans, Bale delivered on the biggest stages. He played a key role in five Champions League wins, forming a lethal trio with Ronaldo and Benzema.

4. Eden Hazard – £89 million

Eden Hazard was electric at Chelsea, but his move to Real Madrid in 2019 was wrecked by injuries. He played just 76 games in four years, retiring early in 2025 at 34. Despite his undeniable talent, his time in Spain will always be seen as a what-could-have-been story.

3. Jack Grealish – £100 million

Jack Grealish made headlines when he joined Manchester City from Aston Villa in 2021. Critics say his flair has been stifled under Guardiola, but he’s been part of a hugely successful side, winning three league titles. His contribution to City’s 2022/23 treble season proved he could adapt and thrive. Now at everton he is finding himself again.

2. Ousmane Dembele – £135 million

Ousmane Dembélé — Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com

Barcelona took a huge gamble signing Ousmane Dembele from Dortmund in 2017. Though talented, injuries and inconsistency defined his six-year spell, and the club took a major financial hit when he left for PSG in 2023. Dembele has since rebuilt his reputation in France, showing signs of his old self.

1. Neymar – £200 million

Photo: Stefan Ugljevarevic / Shutterstock.com

No winger has ever cost more than Neymar, who left Barcelona for PSG in a world-record £200 million deal in 2017. He formed a powerful trio with Mbappe and Messi but couldn't bring the Champions League to Paris. Despite domestic success, the move remains controversial and has reshaped the entire transfer market.