The 20 Most Expensive South American Football Transfers of All Time – Ranked
South America has long been a goldmine for elite footballing talent. From Argentina’s playmakers to Brazil’s flair-filled forwards, Europe’s biggest clubs have spent staggering sums to bring these stars to the world’s top leagues. Below, we break down the 20 most expensive transfers of South American players ever — starting from number 20 and climbing to the world-record fee at number 1.
20. Kaká (AC Milan ➝ Real Madrid, 2009 – £58m)
Real Madrid’s Galáctico era took shape in 2009 with the arrival of Brazilian maestro Kaká. Despite injuries marring his impact, his Ballon d’Or-winning form at AC Milan justified the hefty fee.
19. Luis Díaz (Liverpool ➝ Bayern Munich, 2025 – £60.5m)
Bayern Munich snapped up Luis Díaz after a title-winning season under Arne Slot. The Colombian winger sought a stage free from Salah’s shadow and now aims to shine in Germany.
18. Casemiro (Real Madrid ➝ Manchester United, 2022 – £61.1m)
Described by Erik ten Hag as "the cement between the stones," Casemiro brought grit and experience to United. Though his Premier League tenure has seen highs and lows, he remains a leader in midfield.
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17. Alisson Becker (AS Roma ➝ Liverpool, 2018 – £62.7m)
Liverpool made Alisson the world’s most expensive goalkeeper at the time, and it paid off. The Brazilian has since become a club legend, winning major trophies and solidifying their defense.
16. Matheus Cunha (Wolves ➝ Manchester United, 2025 – £64.2m)
A surprise move in 2025, Matheus Cunha fulfilled a childhood dream by joining Manchester United. After rescuing Wolves from relegation, he now takes on a bigger challenge at Old Trafford.
15. Ángel Di María (Real Madrid ➝ Manchester United, 2014 – £65m)
Di María arrived in Manchester after a dazzling Champions League final performance. But his lone season at Old Trafford was marred by inconsistency and off-field struggles.
14. James Rodríguez (AS Monaco ➝ Real Madrid, 2014 – £65m)
Rodríguez became a global star after the 2014 World Cup, prompting Real Madrid to act swiftly. Though he showed glimpses of brilliance, he never fully fit into the star-studded squad.
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13. Julián Álvarez (Manchester City ➝ Atlético Madrid, 2024 – £65m)
Tired of playing second fiddle to Erling Haaland, Álvarez moved to Spain in search of a leading role. At Atlético, he’s quickly become Simeone’s new talisman and fan favourite.
12. Jhon Durán (Aston Villa ➝ Al-Nassr, 2025 – £66.8m)
Durán impressed with his physicality and goals at Villa, leading to a big-money move to Saudi Arabia. However, personal struggles saw him return to Europe on loan with Fenerbahçe.
11. Arthur Melo (Barcelona ➝ Juventus, 2020 – £70m)
Arthur’s switch to Juventus, part of a controversial swap deal, remains one of football’s strangest transfers. Plagued by injuries, his Turin stint fell far short of expectations.
10. Luis Suárez (Liverpool ➝ Barcelona, 2014 – £71m)
Liverpool did all they could to keep Suárez, but the lure of Barcelona proved too strong. Forming a devastating trio with Messi and Neymar, he became one of the club’s most prolific scorers.
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9. Darwin Núñez (Benfica ➝ Liverpool, 2022 – £74m)
After excelling in Portugal, Núñez arrived with high expectations. His time at Anfield has been inconsistent, with flashes of brilliance followed by spells of frustration.
8. Neymar (Santos ➝ Barcelona, 2013 – £76.5m)
Hailed as Brazil’s next great, Neymar dazzled at Barcelona during his four seasons. He helped the club win the treble and was tipped to succeed Messi — until he chose a different path.
7. Gonzalo Higuaín (Napoli ➝ Juventus, 2016 – £78.3m)
Higuaín broke records at Napoli before Juventus broke the bank to sign him. Though he delivered goals in Turin, some fans felt his impact didn’t quite match the price tag.
6. Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain ➝ Al-Hilal, 2023 – £78.3m)
Neymar’s controversial move to Saudi Arabia was driven by money and friction at PSG. An ACL injury derailed his short stint at Al-Hilal, leading to an early return to Santos.
Read also: 15 Best Bargain Signings in Premier League History - Ranked
5. Antony (Ajax ➝ Manchester United, 2022 – £82.6m)
Manchester United massively overpaid for Antony, who had been valued far lower by scouts. Despite moments of flair, his time in England has been largely underwhelming.
4. Moisés Caicedo (Brighton ➝ Chelsea, 2023 – £101m)
Caicedo turned down Liverpool to become a record signing for Chelsea. While his first season was tough, he’s now seen as the long-term heir to N’Golo Kanté in midfield.
3. Enzo Fernández (Benfica ➝ Chelsea, 2023 – £105.3m)
Fresh from winning the World Cup’s Best Young Player award, Enzo was one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe. After a slow start, he exploded into form in 2024–25.
2. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool ➝ Barcelona, 2018 – £117.3m)
Coutinho’s dream move to Barcelona quickly turned into a nightmare. Never truly fitting the system, he faded from stardom and became a symbol of wasted spending at Camp Nou.
Read also: The 20 Greatest Wingers in Premier League History - Ranked
1. Neymar (Barcelona ➝ Paris Saint-Germain, 2017 – £195m)
The most expensive transfer in football history came when PSG triggered Neymar’s release clause. Hoping to step out of Messi’s shadow, Neymar instead faced injuries, controversy, and a love-hate relationship with fans in Paris.
