Sign in Subscribe
Soccer players

Premier League's Most Expensive Signings: A Look Back at the Big Deals

Strategic Insights

— 3 min read

Chelsea's recent acquisition of Enzo Fernandez for £106.8million has set a new record for the Premier League's most expensive transfer. However, this deal is not an isolated incident, as several teams have made significant investments in players in recent years. The PA news agency looks at some of the big-money signings that have gone before, and how they have panned out for the teams involved.

Key Takeaways:

  • Jack Grealish's transfer from Aston Villa to Manchester City in August 2021 for £100m has not lived up to his price tag, with the player struggling to replicate his form from the previous season.
  • Romelu Lukaku's return to Chelsea in August 2021 for £97.5m was a significant investment, but his first season back at the club was a major disappointment, and he is now on loan at Inter Milan.
  • Paul Pogba's transfer from Juventus to Manchester United in August 2016 for £89m did not go as planned, with the player often being on the periphery and eventually returning to Juventus on a free transfer in 2022.
  • Antony's transfer from Ajax to Manchester United in August 2022 for £80.6m has been underwhelming, with the Brazilian forward struggling to make a significant impact at Old Trafford.
  • Harry Maguire's transfer from Leicester to Manchester United in August 2019 for £80m has been marred by controversy, with the England international coming under intense scrutiny last season and being relegated to the bench in the current campaign.
  • Romelu Lukaku's transfer from Everton to Manchester United in July 2017 for £75m was a significant investment, but the player's form tailed off badly, and he eventually departed for Inter Milan.
  • Virgil van Dijk's transfer from Southampton to Liverpool in January 2018 for £75m was a more successful deal, but the player's recent troubles have raised questions about his long-term future at the club.
  • Jadon Sancho's transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United in July 2021 for £73m has been a disappointment, with the 22-year-old struggling to hold down a regular position in his first season.
  • Nicolas Pepe's transfer from Lille to Arsenal in August 2019 for £72m has been a mixed bag, with the Ivory Coast winger scoring 27 goals in 111 appearances for the Gunners but eventually departing on loan to Nice in the 2022-23 season.

Statistics:

  • £106.8million: the current record for the Premier League's most expensive transfer, held by Chelsea's acquisition of Enzo Fernandez.
  • £100m: the transfer fee paid by Manchester City for Jack Grealish in August 2021.
  • £97.5m: the transfer fee paid by Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku in August 2021.
  • £89m: the transfer fee paid by Manchester United for Paul Pogba in August 2016.
  • £80.6m: the transfer fee paid by Manchester United for Antony in August 2022.
  • £80m: the transfer fee paid by Manchester United for Harry Maguire in August 2019.
  • £75m: the transfer fee paid by Manchester United for Romelu Lukaku in July 2017 and Liverpool for Virgil van Dijk in January 2018.
  • £73m: the transfer fee paid by Manchester United for Jadon Sancho in July 2021.
  • £72m: the transfer fee paid by Arsenal for Nicolas Pepe in August 2019.

Sources:

  • Jack Grealish's transfer to Manchester City, [Manchester City (@ManCity) on Twitter](https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/1424442511529373443)
  • Romelu Lukaku's transfer to Chelsea, [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58750973)
  • Paul Pogba's transfer to Manchester United, [Manchester United (@ManUtd) on Twitter](https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/762350493983953025)
  • Antony's transfer to Manchester United, [PA Sport](https://www.pasport.co.uk/article/antony-becomes-manchester-united-record-signing-23091)
  • Harry Maguire's transfer to Manchester United, [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44460953)
  • Romelu Lukaku's transfer to Everton, [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39808157)
  • Virgil van Dijk's transfer to Liverpool, [Liverpool FC (@LFC) on Twitter](https://twitter.com/LFC/status/955421152143230976)
  • Jadon Sancho's transfer to Manchester United, [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57552062)
  • Nicolas Pepe's transfer to Arsenal, [Arsenal (@Arsenal) on Twitter](https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1136344917556465537)

Read more