The 20 Most Expensive Premier League Signings Of All Time

Check out our comprehensive look into the top 20 most expensive Premier League signings of all time.

In the high-stakes world of Premier League football, the transfer market has become a spectacle of its own. 

Clubs spend exorbitant sums to secure top talent, each new signing a gamble that could either elevate a team to glory or become a costly misstep. 

Here, we delve into the 20 most expensive signings in Premier League history, highlighting the stories, successes, and controversies behind these blockbuster deals.

1. Moises Caicedo – £115m (Chelsea)

Chelsea’s acquisition of Moises Caicedo from Brighton, for a package worth a staggering total of £115 million, set a new benchmark in the Premier League.

The Blues paid an initial £100 million for the Ecuadorian midfielder, after hijacking the transfer to Liverpool in the summer of 2023, with an additional £15 million to be paid in potential add-ons.

His performances at Stamford Bridge have been a mixed bag up to now, but the arrival of Enzo Maresca could reignite the 22-year-old’s form.

2. Enzo Fernández – £106.8m (Chelsea)

Enzo Fernández joined Chelsea from Benfica for a monumental £106.8 million (€132 million) in January 2023.

The Argentine midfielder’s meteoric rise, capped by a stellar World Cup performance, convinced Chelsea to make him their most expensive January signing.  

The jury’s still out on whether Fernández can repay the hefty transfer fee, but, like Caicedo, Maresca’s arrival could be the catalyst in getting the best out of him.

3. Declan Rice – £105m (Arsenal)

Arsenal made a statement of intent in 2023’s summer window by signing Declan Rice from West Ham for £105 million. 

The English midfielder, known for his leadership and versatility, is seen as a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s quest to win the Premier League with Arsenal.

4. Jack Grealish – £100m (Manchester City)

Jack Grealish’s £100 million move from Aston Villa to Manchester City was a record-breaking fee for an English player at the time. 

The dynamic midfielder’s creative flair added a new dimension to City’s already potent attacking arsenal.

Since then, he has somewhat fallen down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola, and even missed out on a place in England’s 26-man squad for EURO 2024.

5. Romelu Lukaku – £97.5m (Chelsea)

After being sold from Chelsea in 2014, Romelu Lukaku returned to Stamford Bridge in 2021 for a whopping £97.5 million. 

The Belgian striker was brought back to West London to address their goal-scoring woes, but his tenure was a disaster.

Lukaku earns a monstrous £325,000 a week at Chelsea and his contract doesn’t expire until 2026, so the Blues may have to endure another two seasons of loaning him out.

6. Romelu Lukaku – £90m (Manchester United)

Before his Chelsea move, Lukaku’s transfer from Everton to Manchester United for £90 million was one of the most talked-about deals. 

The powerful forward had a strong start at Old Trafford but eventually struggled to maintain his form.

United were able to claw the majority of the fee they paid back for Lukaku when he was sold to Inter Milan two years later, for £73 million.

7. Paul Pogba – £89.3m (Manchester United)

Paul Pogba’s £89.3 million (€105 million) return to Manchester United from Juventus in 2016 was a headline-grabbing move. 

The French midfielder brought flair and controversy in equal measure, his time at United characterised by flashes of brilliance and off-field distractions.

Pogba returned to Juventus on a free transfer in 2022, but is currently serving a doping ban and thus is ineligible to play.

8. Mykhailo Mudryk – £88.5m (Chelsea)

Chelsea hijacked Arsenal’s pursuit of Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk in January 2023, signing the former Shakhtar Donetsk man for £88.5 million.

Mudryk’s pace and technical skills made him a sought-after talent, and Todd Boehly made sure it was Chelsea that secured his services to bolster their attacking options.

However, Mudryk’s performances haven’t lived up to the hefty fee, with the 23-year-old being in and out of the team and struggling to find any rhythm in the Premier League.

9. Antony – £86m (Manchester United)

Antony’s £86 million transfer from Ajax to Manchester United in the summer of 2022 was a significant outlay for the skilful Brazilian winger.

Fast forward two years, United are keen to move Antony on, having failed to adapt to the Premier League whatsoever, with just five goals.

10. Darwin Núñez – £85m (Liverpool)

Darwin Núñez joined Liverpool from Benfica in the summer of 2022 for a total package worth £85 million.

The Uruguayan forward’s goal-scoring prowess in Portugal made him a hot property, and Liverpool moved swiftly to add him to their attacking ranks.

Núñez’s time at Liverpool has been hot and cold up to now, with his finishing and apparent wastefulness coming under scrutiny, but there’s no denying that he is a handful for defenders.

11. Harry Maguire – £80m (Manchester United)

Harry Maguire’s £80 million move from Leicester City to Manchester United in 2019 made him the world’s most expensive defender – a tag he still holds.

His tenure at United has seen ups and downs, including a stint as captain, with his leadership and defensive capabilities under constant scrutiny.

12. Josko Gvardiol – £77.6m (Manchester City)

Manchester City’s £77.6 million signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig marked a significant investment in their defensive line.

Known for his robust physical presence and tactical versatility, the Croatian defender has been lauded for his mature performances at a young age.

Gvardiol’s ability to play both as a centre-back and a left-back provides Pep Guardiola with valuable options, reinforcing the squad’s adaptability.

His potential to develop into one of the premier defenders in world football makes him a crucial asset for City’s long-term ambitions, both domestically and in European competitions.

13. Virgil van Dijk – £75m (Liverpool)

Virgil van Dijk’s £75 million transfer from Southampton to Liverpool in January 2018 was a landmark deal that reshaped the Premier League’s defensive standards. 

The towering Dutch centre-back immediately brought stability, strength, and leadership to Liverpool’s backline. His presence was instrumental in transforming the Reds into a formidable defensive unit, culminating in their Champions League victory in 2019 and ending a 30-year wait for a Premier League title in 2020.

Van Dijk’s aerial prowess, calmness under pressure, and ability to read the game have earned him widespread acclaim, making him one of the most influential signings in Liverpool’s history.

14. Wesley Fofana – £75m (Chelsea)

Chelsea’s £75 million acquisition of Wesley Fofana from Leicester City in the summer of 2022 signaled their intent to bolster their defense with young, high-potential talent.

The French defender, known for his exceptional speed and composure on the ball, demonstrated maturity beyond his years at Leicester and quickly made a name for himself in the Premier League.

Unfortunately, his time at Chelsea has been plagued with injuries, making 22 appearances in his first season before missing the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign.

15. Jadon Sancho – £73m (Manchester United)

Jadon Sancho’s £73 million move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United in the summer of 2021 was one of the most talked-about transfers in recent years.

The English winger, known for his dazzling dribbling skills and creativity, had been on United’s radar for several seasons, and fans and pundits alike had high expectations for his impact at Old Trafford.

Sancho’s bust-up with Erik ten Hag in his third season at the club led to a temporary return to his former club in Germany. Now, it remains to be seen whether Sancho has a future at United.

16. Kai Havertz – £72m (Chelsea)

Kai Havertz’s £72 million transfer from Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea in 2020 added a young versatile attacker to the Blues’ squad.

The German international’s ability to play multiple roles in the attack was a valuable asset during his time at Chelsea, under Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel, and Graham Potter.

A debate can be had about whether he fully lived up to his transfer fee, but Chelsea managed to recoup the majority of it back when they sold him to London rivals Arsenal for £65 million in 2023.

17. Nicolas Pépé – £72m (Arsenal)

Arsenal’s £72 million signing of Nicolas Pépé from Lille seemed an incredible signing in the summer of 2019. The Ivorian winger’s explosive pace and dribbling skills were expected to boost Arsenal’s attacking options under Unai Emery.

However, Pépé failed to live up to his fee and struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League.

When Mikel Arteta arrived, Pépé fell down the pecking order rather quickly, with his manager preferring the likes of Bukayo Saka and Reiss Nelson.

18. Kepa Arrizabalaga – £72m (Chelsea)

Kepa Arrizabalaga’s £72 million move from Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea in 2018 made him the world’s most expensive goalkeeper. His time at Chelsea has been marked by highs and lows, with his form and confidence coming under intense scrutiny.

He was at the centre of a particularly controversial moment in the 2019 League Cup final, when he refused to be substituted off, leaving manager Maurizio Sarri fuming.

While still contracted to Chelsea, Kepa enjoyed a decent spell on loan at Real Madrid where he picked up his second Champions League medal.

19. Rasmus Højlund – £72m (Manchester United)

Rasmus Højlund’s £72 million transfer from Atalanta to Manchester United marked a significant investment in the Danish forward.

United’s faith in his potential reflects their long-term planning for their attacking lineup, which has since been bolstered by the addition of Joshua Zirkzee.

Højlund scored 10 goals in his debut season in the Premier League, but at just 21-years old, there’s plenty more to come from the Danishman.

20. Casemiro – £70m (Manchester United)

Manchester United acquired Casemiro from Real Madrid for £70 million with the intention of adding a world-class midfielder to their ranks. The Brazilian’s experience and winning mentality initially had a positive impact on the stability of United’s midfield.

However, over the course of his stay performances dwindled, and it seems as though the five-time Champions League winner’s best days are behind him.