The Premier League is the most-watched and richest league in the world. The list of the most-expensive transfers in Premier League history is ever-changing, with records broken every window.
Though the league is yet to break the £100 million barrier like Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain, it’s a matter of time before a team heads into nine figures.
Manchester United are the most likely to do so at this stage, after making one of the best January signings in the form of Bruno Fernandes.
We have compiled a list of the top 10 most expensive transfers in Premier League history, per TransferMarkt.
Paul Pogba - £94.5 million
Mino Raiola and over-the-top criticism have clouded Paul Pogba’s time at Manchester United. He’s an opinion-splitting figure, and it’s easy to forget the excitement when he was brought to Old Trafford from Juventus.
Pogba can control a match. His peak performances are as good as any midfielder around. Unfortunately, a poorly built squad and misuse from managers has made his second stint at Old Trafford more about memes than highlights.
Harry Maguire - £78.3 million
The England international premium, the selling to Manchester United premium, and an established Premier League side premium.
Harry Maguire’s fee was inflated, and everyone knew it at the time, but it shouldn’t undermine what was a good signing for Manchester United.
They finally got the centre-back they needed, a leader who can hold the defence together through the 2020s.
Romelu Lukaku - £76.23 million
Romelu Lukaku’s signing from Everton completes a Manchester United top three and another transfer that didn’t work out.
United lost almost £20 million when they sold Lukaku to Inter last summer, and the former Chelsea man has been on fire for Antonio Conte’s side.
Lukaku became a scapegoat at Old Trafford, and few can blame him for wanting out.
Virgil van Dijk - £76.19 million
Not many players have transformed a team like Virgil van Dijk did when his long-awaited move from Southampton to Liverpool went through.
A European champion and a Lionel Messi away from winning the Ballon d’Or, van Dijk is the undisputed best defender in the world.
It has become cliché to call him a bargain, but it’s for good reason. Van Dijk’s signing was a masterstroke.
Nicolas Pepe - £72 million
Adding Nicolas Pepe to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil should have formed a fearsome attack.
The 2019/20 campaign has been turbulent for Arsenal, however, and Pepe is still settling in.
The talent is there, but the fee brings vast pressure. He’s a player, along with Arsenal’s youngsters, for the Emirates to get excited about in the Mikel Arteta era.
Kepa Arrizabalaga - £72 million
Thibaut Courtois rightly displaced Petr Cech and was superb for Chelsea.
When he departed, though, Chelsea were left in a terrible negotiating position for a new goalkeeper, so they triggered Kepa Arrizabalaga’s release clause.
It has been a severe disappointment thus far. Chelsea fans will hope Kepa can follow David De Gea’s developmental path.
Kevin De Bruyne - £68.4 million
Always in the Premier League Odds mix to win Player of the Year, Kevin De Bruyne – like van Dijk – has proved to be a bargain at under £70 million.
There’s a case to be made for the Belgian as the best midfielder on the planet. A few more years at this level, and De Bruyne will be considered among the greatest in Premier League history.
Angel di Maria - £67.5 million
Still one of the best players in the world, Angel di Maria’s transfer to Manchester United summed up the club post-Ferguson.
He never really wanted to be at Old Trafford, and despite moments of brilliance, it was a season wasted for both club and player.
Di Maria has thrived in Paris, switching between central and wide roles and stepping up when Kylian Mbappe and Neymar are sidelined. United fans are left wondering about what might have been.
Rodri - £63 million
Although not featuring at the top of this list, Manchester City have several transfers in the £45 to 65 million range.
Rodri, signed in the summer of 2019, is the latest such addition. The Spaniard bolstered the deep-lying midfield position as Fernandinho heads into his twilight years.
With injuries at the back forcing the Brazilian to play in defence, Rodri has been much needed in the midfield.
Riyad Mahrez - £61.02 million
Leicester made a pretty profit on Riyad Mahrez, having signed him from Le Havre for less than half a million. An improbable title and thousands of stepovers later, and Manchester City were calling for Mahrez’s services.
Considering City’s already obscene attacking options, Mahrez’s transfer could be seen as a good argument for a Premier League salary cap.
Leroy Sane’s injury has made him an integral piece in 2019/20, however, and attracted the attention of PSG.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Rui Vieira / AP Photo*
