The Premier League is home to some of the world’s best footballers, and clubs are willing to spend huge amounts to sign top talent. Over the years, transfer fees have skyrocketed, breaking records season after season.
In this article, we examine the most expensive transfers in Premier League history and the performance of these players.
1. Jack Grealish – £100m (Aston Villa to Manchester City, 2021)
🔗 Jack Grealish Transfer News – BBC Sport
Jack Grealish became the most expensive player in Premier League history when Manchester City signed him from Aston Villa for £100 million in 2021. The talented English midfielder was already a star in the league, known for his dribbling and creativity.
At City, he has won multiple trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League. Although he faced some challenges in his first season, Grealish has become an important player for Pep Guardiola’s side.
2. Declan Rice – £105m (West Ham to Arsenal, 2023)
🔗 Declan Rice Transfer – Sky Sports
In the summer of 2023, Arsenal broke their transfer record by signing Declan Rice for £105 million from West Ham. The defensive midfielder had been a key player for the Hammers, helping them win the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Rice’s move to Arsenal strengthened their midfield and gave them a strong defensive presence. His performances have shown why the club was willing to spend such a huge fee on him.
3. Enzo Fernández – £106.8m (Benfica to Chelsea, 2023)
🔗 Enzo Fernández Transfer – The Guardian
Chelsea made a big statement in January 2023 by signing Enzo Fernández for £106.8 million. The Argentine midfielder had just won the FIFA World Cup with his national team, and his performances for Benfica caught Chelsea’s attention.
Despite Chelsea’s struggles, Fernández has shown flashes of brilliance. He is expected to be a key part of the club’s rebuild under new management.
4. Moisés Caicedo – £115m (Brighton to Chelsea, 2023)
🔗 Moises Caicedo Transfer – ESPN
Chelsea broke their transfer record again in the summer of 2023 by signing Moisés Caicedo from Brighton for £115 million. The Ecuadorian midfielder had impressed with his performances in the Premier League, attracting interest from top clubs.
Liverpool were also keen on signing him, but Chelsea won the race. Caicedo is seen as a long-term replacement for N’Golo Kanté and is expected to be a key player for years.
5. Paul Pogba – £89m (Juventus to Manchester United, 2016)
🔗 Paul Pogba Transfer – BBC Sport
In 2016, Manchester United made headlines by bringing Paul Pogba back to the club for £89 million, a world-record transfer at the time. The French midfielder had developed into a superstar at Juventus, and United hoped he would lead them to success.
Pogba had some great moments at Old Trafford, helping United win the Europa League and EFL Cup. However, his time at the club was also inconsistent, and he eventually left on a free transfer in 2022.
6. Romelu Lukaku – £97.5m (Inter Milan to Chelsea, 2021)
🔗 Romelu Lukaku Transfer – Sky Sports
Chelsea spent £97.5 million to re-sign Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan in 2021. The Belgian striker had been in top form in Italy, leading Inter to the Serie A title. Chelsea hoped he would be the missing piece in their attack.
However, Lukaku’s second spell at Chelsea did not go as planned. He struggled to fit into Thomas Tuchel’s system and returned to Inter Milan on loan just a year later.
7. Antony – £86m (Ajax to Manchester United, 2022)
🔗 Antony Transfer – Sky Sports
Manchester United spent £86 million to bring Antony from Ajax in 2022. The Brazilian winger had worked with Erik ten Hag at Ajax, and the manager wanted him to be a key part of United’s attack.
Antony has shown glimpses of his talent, but he still has much to prove in the Premier League. Fans hope he can develop into a consistent performer for the Red Devils.
8. Virgil van Dijk – £75m (Southampton to Liverpool, 2018)
🔗 Virgil van Dijk Transfer – The Telegraph
Liverpool signed Virgil van Dijk for £75 million in January 2018, making him the most expensive defender. Many questioned the fee, but Van Dijk quickly proved his worth.
The Dutch centre-back transformed Liverpool’s defence and helped them win the Premier League and Champions League. He remains one of the best defenders in world football.
9. Jadon Sancho – £73m (Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United, 2021)
🔗 Jadon Sancho Transfer – Goal.com
Manchester United spent £73 million on Jadon Sancho in 2021. The English winger had been a star at Borussia Dortmund, known for his dribbling and goal-scoring ability.
However, his time at United has been mixed. He has struggled with form and fitness, and his future at the club remains uncertain.
10. Kai Havertz – £72m (Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea, 2020)
🔗 Kai Havertz Transfer – ESPN
Chelsea paid £72 million for Kai Havertz in 2020. The German forward arrived with high expectations, and while he has not been a consistent goal scorer, he did score the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final.
Havertz later moved to Arsenal in 2023, hoping to make a bigger impact.
Final Thoughts
Premier League clubs are always willing to spend big money on top players. Some of these expensive transfers have been huge successes, while others have struggled to meet expectations. Who will be the next big signing to break records with transfer fees rising?
Stay updated with the latest football transfers on BBC Sport and Sky Sports.
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