Most Expensive Football Players of All time

Discover the most expensive football players’ transfers in history, including record-breaking signings and the biggest football transfer deal of 2025.

The global soccer transfer market has evolved dramatically over the past century. Today, clubs spend hundreds of millions to sign top talent, but it all began with a historic deal back in the 19th century.

The first-ever record-breaking transfer happened in 1893, when Willie Groves moved from West Bromwich Albion to Aston Villa for a fee of just over £100. At the time, it was considered a staggering amount.

Fast forward to today, and the figures have ballooned beyond imagination, with modern superstars commanding fees of over $250 million.

In the modern era, the record for the highest-paid soccer transfer belongs to Neymar Jr., who moved from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in August 2017 for a staggering €222 million (over $260 million).

This Most Expensive Football player transfer not only made him the record soccer history but also solidified his place as the most expensive player ever to feature in FIFA World Cup history.

Most Expensive Football Players in All Time History

Neymar Jr. holds the record for the Most Expensive Football player transfer in history. In 2017, Paris Saint-Germain shocked the world by activating his release clause and signing him from Barcelona for an astounding $263 million. This move significantly transformed the transfer market.

Kylian Mbappé, another superstar at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), became the second-most expensive player in history when he completed a $198 million transfer from Monaco in 2018. At just 19 years old, Mbappé was regarded as a generational talent and demonstrated that he was worth every penny.

Philippe Coutinho joined Barcelona from Liverpool in January 2018 for $174 million. Despite the high price tag, Coutinho struggled to meet expectations at the Camp Nou.

João Félix’s transfer from Benfica to Atlético Madrid in 2019 cost $142 million, making him one of the most expensive teens in history. His signing demonstrated Atlético’s commitment to investing in young talent.

In 2025, Florian Wirtz → Liverpool on 20 June 2025 for an initial £100 m, potentially rising to £116 m with add-ons, is the highest transfer deal in 2025.

Here is a list of the Most Expensive Football Players of All time

List the Most Expensive Football Player Transfers 2025

Alexander Isak’s transfer to Liverpool for £125 million ($170 million) broke the British transfer record on deadline day, September 1, 2025. The deal could rise to £130 million with add-ons, making it the most expensive Premier League signing in history.

Liverpool dominated the 2025 summer transfer window with unprecedented spending of £450 million, breaking European football’s single-window record. This exceeded Chelsea’s previous record of £400 million set in 2023.

Premier League clubs collectively spent over £3 billion ($4.06 billion) during the window, smashing the previous record of £2.36 billion from 2023. This amount exceeded the combined spending of Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s La Liga, France’s Ligue 1, and Italy’s Serie A.

Liverpool secured three of the top five most expensive transfers, with Florian Wirtz (£100-116 million) and Hugo Ekitike (£69-79 million) also joining the club. Benjamin Sesko moved to Manchester United for €85 million ($98.8 million), while Victor Osimhen joined Galatasaray for $87 million.

The Isak transfer concluded on deadline day after a prolonged saga, with Newcastle ultimately accepting the British record fee despite initially rejecting lower offers. Liverpool’s aggressive spending spree has positioned them as overwhelming favorites to retain their Premier League title

current as of September 6, 2025