Top 10 Most Expensive Football Transfers in History, Neymar Still at #1

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In today’s globalized economy, the world of sports has gone far beyond scores, fields, and silverware. One of the most striking illustrations of this transformation is the astronomical valuation of top-tier talent, reflected in the most expensive football transfers, where players are traded not just as athletes, but as global assets.

List of the Most Expensive Football Transfers

Goal.com and Brand Vision Insights revealed the most expensive football transfers in history, with Neymar leading at the top, followed by Kylian Mbappé and Philippe Coutinho.

1. Neymar - €222 million

Clubs: Barcelona - PSG (2017)

Moving from Barcelon to PSG, Neymar leads the most expensive football transfers with his €222 million five-year deals. The Brazilian was brought to help PSG win the Champion League and elevate its global brand. For this figure, soccer’s transfer fees experienced a wave of inflation.

2. Kylian Mbappé - €180 million

Clubs: AS Monaco - PSG (2018)

At the age of 18, Kylian Mbappé permanently transferred from AS Monaco to PSG for a total of €180 million fee. This five-year contract made him the most expensive teenager in football history—a reflection of his exceptional performances in Ligue 1 and on the World Cup stage. It’s no surprise that Mbappé is also among the highest-paid football players today.

3. Philippe Coutinho - €145 million

Clubs: Liverpool - FC Barcelona (2018)

Coutinho's permanent move to FC Barcelona in 2018 marked as one of the most expensive football transfers of all time. The €145 million, five-and-a-half-year deal was signed hoping Coutinho would fill the void left by Neymar. However, his time at Comp Nau was underwhelming and plagued by inconsistency, making the transfer one of Barcelona’s least successful ones.

4. João Félix - €126 million

Clubs: SL Benfica - Atlético Madrid (2019)

Atlético Madrid broke their transfer record for João Félix, who was hailed as the next big thing in Portuguese football. The €126 million, seven-year deal was largely driven by his breakout season at Benfica. However, over time, his inconsistency overshadowed the occasional flashes of brilliance.

5. Erzo Fernández - €121 million

Clubs: Benfica - Chelsea (2023)

After a breakout tournament at the 2022 World Cup, where he helped Argentina win the title, Enzo Fernández quickly captured Chelsea’s attention. The club secured him for €121 million, making him one of the most expensive football transfers in history, as part of their aggressive squad rebuild.

Known for his composure, passing range, and tactical intelligence, he’s seen as a long-term cornerstone in midfield, though Chelsea’s inconsistency has slowed his impact.

6. Antoine Griezmann - €120 million

Clubs: Atlético Madrid - FC Barcelona (2019)

Barcelona triggered Griezmann’s release clause after a dramatic transfer saga, expecting him to link up seamlessly with Messi. Though he had been a star player at Atlético, his style unfortunately never quite fit Barcelona’s tactics. He then returned to Atlético Madrid on loan, proving the move didn’t meet expectations.

7. Jack Grealish - €117 million

Clubs: Aston Villa - Manchester City (2021)

Jack Grealish’s €117 million transfer to Manchester City comes in seventh place among the most expensive football transfers in history.

Well-known for his dribbling skills and creativity, he truly bolstered the team’s attack after successfully adjusting to the new surroundings in his first season. Notably, Grealish was widely celebrated for playing a key part in City's treble-winning 2022–23 season.

8. Declan Rice - €117 million

Clubs: West Ham United - Arsenal (2023)

Having successfully captained West Ham to a European trophy, Rice quickly attracted attention from top clubs. In 2023, he moved to Arsenal for €117 million and has since been praised for his immediate impact.

9. Moisés Caicedo - €116million

Clubs: Brighton & Hove Albion - Chelsea (2023)

In one of the biggest transfer battles of the summer, Chelsea outbid Liverpool to sign Caicedo after his standout season at Brighton. Known for his ball-winning ability and high work rate, the Ecuadorian midfielder was signed to shore up Chelsea’s engine room. Still young, he’s seen as a long-term investment for the team.

10. Romelu Lukaku - €115million

Clubs: Inter Milan - Chelsea (2021)

After a stellar stint at Inter, Lukaku’s return to Chelsea came with huge expectations. He started strong but quickly fell out of favor and was ultimately loaned back to Inter. Despite the high fee, the move is now viewed as one of the Premier League’s costliest misfires.

These transfers aren’t just numbers, but stories of risk, reward, and reinvention. With the market only heating up, expect new names to shake up this list in the near future. For a similar discovery, let’s explore Forbes’ top 10 highest-paid athletes of 2025.

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