Ranking: The Most Expensive Transfers in Football History
From Ronaldo to Neymar, the market has exploded in 25 years: Liverpool breaks into the elite with Isak and Wirtz among the most expensive transfers in history.
From Ronaldo to astronomical figures
Twenty-five years ago, in 1997, Ronaldo Nazário became the most expensive player in history when he moved from Barcelona to Inter Milan for about $31M. Today, that amount looks small compared to the massive deals that now exceed $200M, reflecting the inflation of elite football.
The record has been broken again and again: in 2000, Hernán Crespo crossed the $58M barrier with Lazio; a decade later, the threshold of $117M was passed. Today, the line of $234M is long gone.
10. Eden Hazard – Chelsea to Real Madrid – $140M
The Belgian arrived in 2019 as the star meant to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, but injuries ruined his spell. In Madrid, he left more doubts than highlights.
9. Enzo Fernández – Benfica to Chelsea – $142M
World Cup champion with Argentina in 2022, his record-breaking transfer to Chelsea in 2023 symbolized the Blues’ spending spree.
8. Florian Wirtz – Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool – $147M
The German midfielder was a key piece in the Bundesliga and joined Liverpool in 2025 as one of the most expensive signings in the club’s history.
7. Jude Bellingham – Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid – $149M
The Englishman landed at the Bernabéu in 2023 and quickly became a leader. With goals and personality, he justified every dollar invested.
6. João Félix – Benfica to Atlético de Madrid – $149.1M
In 2019, Atleti broke the bank for the Portuguese wonderkid. Despite flashes of brilliance, he never fully lived up to the price tag.
5. Philippe Coutinho – Liverpool to Barcelona – $158M
A transfer that turned into a fiasco. The Brazilian arrived in 2018 to inherit Iniesta’s role but never consolidated at Camp Nou.
4. Ousmane Dembélé – Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona – $173M
After Neymar’s departure, Barça bet big on the Frenchman in 2017. Although he shone in moments, injuries defined his time in Catalonia.
3. Alexander Isak – Newcastle to Liverpool – $176M
The Swede made headlines in 2025 as the most expensive transfer in Premier League history. With 27 goals last season, he arrives at Anfield as the new attacking leader.
2. Kylian Mbappé – AS Monaco to PSG – $210M
A deal that defined a generation. In 2017, PSG secured the French phenomenon, who went on to conquer the world with France.
1. Neymar – Barcelona to PSG – $260M
The most expensive transfer in history. In 2017, PSG shattered all boundaries with the Brazilian, a deal that has yet to be surpassed.
