Each year, the Premier League (PL) continues to be the most expensive transfer market, with some shockingly costly fees.
Record fees are continuing to be broken, although it may be difficult to top the 2021 window with a record-breaking transfer of £100 million, it is certainly possible.
We will be looking at the PL’s biggest transfers to date.
12. Kevin De Bruyne - £68.40 m
This transfer fee comes as a shock compared to some prices clubs have paid for players when Kevin De Bruyne is possibly one of the best midfielders in the sport right now.
In 2015, Manchester City bought De Bruyne from VFL Wolfsburg
Since moving to Man City, the team has won 11 trophies in total, including the Premier League, The FA Cup, and the Carabao Cup.
De Bruyne has also received some awards himself since being there, including the PFA Players’ Player of the year, PL Player of the Season, and the PFA PL Team of the Year.
11. Kepa Arrizabalga - £72 m
Chelsea’s number 1 keeper was transferred from Athletic Bilbao for a total of £72 million in 2018, making him the most expensive goalkeeper in the Premier League.
Although Chelsea has always been a successful team, whether that's finishing in the top 5 of the PL or winning trophies, signing Arrizabalaga made a significant impact on their trophy cupboard.
Since 2018, Chelsea has won 5 competitions, with the UEFA Champions League being one of them, the others include the FA Cup, Europa League, FIFA Club World Cup, and the Super Cup.
10. Romelu Lukaku - £72 m
In 2017, Romelu Lukaku was transferred from Everton to Manchester United for £72 million.
Lukaku had scored 87 goals and 29 assists while playing for Everton, making Man United interested in the player. While playing with the red devils, he scored 42 goals in 2 seasons.
He then moved to Inter Milan in 2019, he admitted he made the move to become a better player. He did and eventually moved back to the UK to play for Chelsea, but he was then sent back to Inter Milan this year on loan.
9. Kai Havertz - £72 m
The then 21-year-old German, was sold for $72 million from Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea in 2020, making him one of the club's most expensive signings.
He was spotted by the club after making an impressive impact on his previous German team as an attacking midfielder.
In 2021, Havertz was the only player to score in the Champions League final against Manchester City, this being his first in the tournament. He then went on to help Chelsea win the UEFA Super Cup against Villareal on penalties, although he missed his.
He made up for this when playing for Germany in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final, scoring the winning goal from a penalty kick.
8. Nicolas Pépé - £72 m
In 2019, Arsenal acquired Ivory Coast national, Nicolas Pépé for £72m from Lille, making him the club's most expensive player.
The winger had scored 23 goals and had 12 assists in 41 games during the 19/19 season at Lille, sparking Arsenal's interest in the player.
However, Pépé has yet to achieve these skills at Arsenal, but he struggles as he is currently on loan to Nice this year.
7. Jadon Sancho - £73 m
Jadon Sancho was spotted by many clubs when playing at Borussia Dortmund, but Manchester United was in luck when they offered £73 million for the winger in 2021.
Since signing to Man Utd last year, he has made a total of 46 appearances and scored 8 goals in total.
6. Virgil van Dijk - £75 m
In 2017, Liverpool made a £75 million signing for Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk, although it came to a whole transfer window later than planned as Southampton accused Liverpool of making an illegal approach for the player.
Since Liverpool made the signing for the defender, they have achieved a lot, including trophies from the Champions League, FA Cup, Premier League, and Super Cup.
5. Harry Maguire - £78.3 m
In 2019, Manchester United signed Harry Maguire from Leicester City for £78.3 million, not long after his impressive plays helped Leicester win their first PL title in 2016. Making him the most expensive defender in the league.
In January 2020, Maguire was named captain following Ashley Young’s move to Inter Milan. Man Utd finished in third place this, having finished in sixth place the year before.
Unfortunately, in 2021 Maguire faced an injury when playing against Aston Villa, meaning he missed the UEFA Europa League Final, Man Utd went on to lose on penalties after a 1-1 draw against Villareal.
4. Antony - £85.5 m
Manchester United signed Brazilian midfielder Antony from Ajax this year for £85.5 million, after making an impact at Ajax and becoming one of their most valuable players.
Although he hasn't been at the club for long, he has helped the team reach 5th place (at the time of writing), he scored on his debut against Arsenal winning 3-1 against the current league leader.
3. Paul Pogba - £93.25 m
In 2016, Paul Pogba returned to the Premier League after Man United sought him once again for £89 million from Juventus.
Pogba then helped the team win the Europa League in 2017, but unfortunately hasn’t won a trophy since then.
After 5 years, Pogba returned to Juventus on a free transfer this year.
2. Romelu Lukaku - £97.5 m
Lukaku has managed to make the list twice!
Chelsea bought Lukaku from Inter Milan for a then-record price of £97.5 million.
Lukakau scored on his debut, achieving a 2-0 win against Arsenal, he then scored twice against Aston Villa, making it the first time he had scored at Stamford Bridge.
He went on to state that he was not happy at the club and is now on loan to Inter Milan.
1. Jack Grealish - £100 m
After helping England reach the Euro final, Jack Grealish was bought by Manchester City from Aston Villa, setting a new Premier League transfer record fee.
Manchester City went on to win the Premier League after the signing, helping Grealish feel better about leaving the club he had supported his whole life.
