The 20 Most Expensive Football Transfers of All Time

August 20, 2025 Aksel Kryhlmand

In the world of elite football, transfer fees have skyrocketed to eye-watering heights. Clubs now regularly shell out over €100 million for top talent, chasing trophies, global appeal, and long-term success. From Neymar’s record-shattering move to PSG to rising stars like Florian Wirtz and Enzo Fernandez, these deals define modern football’s financial landscape.

Here, we count down the 20 most expensive transfers in football history, ranked in reverse order. Each move tells a story, of ambition, pressure, legacy, and the ever-inflating value of the game’s brightest stars.

20. Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United to Real Madrid (€94m, 2009)

Ronaldo’s blockbuster move from Manchester United to Real Madrid set a world record at the time. The Portuguese icon went on to become the club’s all-time leading scorer and one of the greatest players in football history.

20. Harry Maguire – Leicester City to Manchester United (€94m, 2019)

The world’s most expensive defender, Maguire arrived at Old Trafford amid high expectations. While his performances have divided opinion, the fee reflected the growing cost of top-tier Premier League talent.

19. Antony – Ajax to Manchester United (€95m + €5m in add-ons, 2022)

United made a huge gamble on the Brazilian winger after his breakout season at Ajax under Erik ten Hag. The deal raised eyebrows for the fee paid relative to his experience.

16. Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid to Juventus (€100m, 2018)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) — cristiano barni / Shutterstock.com

Juve spent big to bring Ronaldo to Turin in search of Champions League glory. While the trophies didn’t fully follow, he delivered goals in abundance during his spell in Serie A.

16. Harry Kane – Tottenham to Bayern Munich (€100m + €16m, 2023)

Kane finally left Spurs to chase silverware in Germany. The England captain’s record-breaking move signaled Bayern's intent to bolster their frontline with world-class firepower.

16. Eden Hazard – Chelsea to Real Madrid (€100m + €46m, 2019)

Madrid splashed out for the Belgian star after his stellar Chelsea tenure. Unfortunately, a string of injuries meant he never quite lived up to the price tag at the Bernabeu.

15. Gareth Bale – Tottenham to Real Madrid (€100.8m, 2013)

Bale’s switch broke the world record at the time and ushered in a golden era at Madrid. He played a key role in multiple Champions League triumphs, including that overhead kick in 2018.

14. Jude Bellingham – Dortmund to Real Madrid (€103m + €31m, 2023)

One of England’s brightest young talents, Bellingham’s move was seen as a statement of intent by Madrid. He hit the ground running in Spain, becoming a fan favorite almost instantly.

12. Paul Pogba – Juventus to Manchester United (€105m + €5m, 2016)

United brought Pogba back in a then-world-record deal. While moments of brilliance followed, his second spell was marred by inconsistency and injuries.

12. Ousmane Dembele – Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona (€105m + €40m, 2017)

Barça spent heavily on Dembele following Neymar’s departure. Though gifted, the Frenchman struggled to stay fit and never fully justified the fee.

11. Romelu Lukaku – Inter to Chelsea (€115m, 2021)

Chelsea broke their transfer record to bring Lukaku back. A promising start quickly turned sour, with limited impact leading to an eventual loan return to Italy.

8. Jack Grealish – Aston Villa to Manchester City (€117m, 2021)

City made Grealish Britain’s most expensive player at the time. Though it took time for him to adapt, he played a key role in their treble-winning 2022–23 campaign.

8. Declan Rice – West Ham to Arsenal (€117m + €6m, 2023)

Rice’s midfield dominance earned him a record-breaking move to Arsenal. The Gunners viewed him as a long-term cornerstone in their title ambitions.

8. Moises Caicedo – Brighton to Chelsea (€117m + €17.5m, 2023)

The Ecuadorian midfielder became one of the Premier League’s costliest signings after a strong rise at Brighton. Chelsea’s rebuild came at a serious financial premium.

7. Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool (€118m + €19m, 2025)

One of the newest entries, Wirtz’s switch to Liverpool was a landmark deal. The German playmaker is tipped to be a generational talent in the Premier League.

5. Antoine Griezmann – Atletico Madrid to Barcelona (€120m, 2019)

Barcelona paid Griezmann’s release clause hoping to fill Neymar’s void. Despite moments of quality, the move was widely seen as underwhelming in terms of value.

5. Philippe Coutinho – Liverpool to Barcelona (€120m + €40m, 2018)

Once Liverpool’s talisman, Coutinho's move became one of the most infamous deals due to his decline in Spain. A costly transfer that never quite worked out.

4. Enzo Fernandez – Benfica to Chelsea (€121m, 2023)

After shining at the 2022 World Cup, Chelsea splashed big for the Argentine midfielder. His arrival marked a new era of bold spending at Stamford Bridge.

3. Joao Felix – Benfica to Atletico Madrid (€126m, 2019)

Atletico gambled on the young Portuguese star with a massive fee. Though clearly talented, he has struggled to justify such a high valuation in La Liga.

2. Kylian Mbappe – Monaco to PSG (€145m + €35m, 2017)

Mbappe became the most expensive teenager ever and one of PSG’s greatest assets. His speed, skill, and goal-scoring prowess made the fee seem almost justified.

1. Neymar – Barcelona to PSG (€222m, 2017)

The transfer that changed football forever. PSG’s record-shattering deal for Neymar redefined the market, sent shockwaves through Europe, and remains unmatched to this day.