The end of the football season marks the opening of the transfer window for clubs all over Europe. It gives clubs a chance to strengthen their squad as well as replace players that are hanging up their boots. Let’s take a look at the Top 10 most expensive transfers of all time.
10. Paul Pogba – US$110 million
Due to a lack of playing time, the 29-year-old French footballer left Manchester United in 2012 and joined Juventus on a free transfer. After helping France win the 2013 Fifa U-20 World Cup and being named the competition’s best player, Manchester United officially announced their purchase of the star in 2016, according to The Guardian, for a then-record-breaking transfer fee of US$110 million (£93 million). This was one of the most expensive transfers by an English side until 2021. Pogba himself is incredibly wealthy, with a net worth of US$125 million. He spends luxurious vacations in Bora Bora, as seen by photos on his Instagram, and dresses to the nines in Gucci T-shirts and custom-made caps.
9. Romelu Lukaku – US$116 million
Lukaku returned to Inter Milan in June, less than a year after joining Chelsea for US$116 million, according to Eurosport. He did so on loan for US$8.3 million. When Lukaku’s transfer cost hit US$350 million in February, he surpassed Neymar’s previous record for the highest total transfer value. Football player from Belgium, age 29, has alternated between Anderlecht, Chelsea (twice), Inter Milan, and Manchester United. His net worth is expected to reach US$60 million in 2022 because to these movements. Lukaku spends lavishly on a pricey garage that comprises collections of Rolls-Royce and other Mercedes. The report asserts that the football player purchased adjoining apartments in Milan to keep his mother and kid near by while he focused on his games.
8. Cristiano Ronaldo – US$117 million
Cristiano Ronaldo, a player from Portugal who is always in demand, went from Real Madrid to Juventus in 2018, and Juventus paid a substantial fee of about US$117 million, according to DW. The 37-year-old is the third richest football player in the world with a net worth of almost $500 million. According to reports, he amassed this wealth through his sports endeavors, modeling assignments, and brand endorsements. According to British media, he spends his money on pricey watches like his US$1.5 million Franck Muller watch that is covered in diamonds, but he is also a philanthropist and an advocate for well-known organizations like Unicef and World Vision. The kind-hearted sportsman gave $5 million to Nepal following the country’s tragic earthquake in 2015.
7. Jack Grealish – US$120 million
When Manchester City paid US$120 million for the British player in 2021, they shattered Pogba’s previous record for one of the most expensive transfers by an English team. The 27-year-old was there for Man City’s fourth Premier League championship in May 2022 after joining Aston Villa. Grealish, one of the highest-paid players on the Man City team, has seen his fortune increase as a result of fashion sponsorships, notably one with Gucci, which has increased his US$12 million net worth. He made news for spending almost $100,000 on a VIP package in Las Vegas and flaunted his money by buying a gorgeous Range Rover.
6. Antoine Griezmann – US$125 million
The versatile French footballer reaches the top 10 list after transferring to Barcelona in 2019 from Atletico Madrid. Although Atlético claimed Barcelona’s payment fell US$83 million short of the agreed price, ESPN reported that the move cost US$125 million. Griezmann returned to Atlético in 2021 after playing for Barcelona, where he amassed several goals and championships. The 31-year-old’s net worth is reportedly in the neighborhood of US$60 million making him one of the most well-known players in the sport. According to The Sports Lite, he has a $6 million property in Madrid and travels in opulent vehicles including a McLaren 675LT, Rolls-Royce Wraith, Ferrari F12, and Maserati Granturismo. Griezmann also makes charitable donations.
5. João Félix – US$130 million
The 23-year-old Portuguese football player is a striker for both the Portugal national team and La Liga club Atletico Madrid. In 2019, he was honored with the Golden Boy (given to the best player in Europe under 21) and Best Young Player of the Year at the Primeira Liga honors. Atletico Madrid spent a whopping US$130 million to sign Félix away from Benfica in 2019. The second-highest fee ever paid for a teen football player was this. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Félix already has a respectable net worth of US$25 million, which he enjoys using to purchase expensive automobiles like the BMW X3M, as seen on his Instagram.
4. Ousmane Dembélé – US$150 million
Ousmane Dembélé began his professional career in 2015 and, a year later, while playing for Borussia Dortmund, made his senior national team debut for France. Then, according to ESPN, Barcelona spent over $150 million to get him to Spain. According to reports, the base charge was US$125 million, and additional fees might total another US$25 million or more. The 25-year-old has scored 32 goals and captured two La Liga titles since joining his new Spanish squad. He has an estimated US$35 million in his bank account right now. He also owns several Mercedes and a property in Barcelona.
3. Philippe Coutinho – US$170 million
When Coutinho represented Brazil in the Copa America and Copa America Centenario in 2015 and 2016, he showcased his incredible potential. He played in his first World Cup at the 2018 Fifa World Cup, scoring two goals and earning a position on the Dream Team. Coutinho made the enormous US$170 million move from Liverpool to Barcelona in 2018. With a US$60 million net worth, the 30-year-old is now representing Aston Villa in England.
2. Kylian Mbappé – US$186 million
Kylian Mbappé made headlines in 2017 when he moved from Monaco to French team Paris St Germain for a staggering US$186 million making him the most expensive transfers in sport. Nevertheless, this enormous sum has turned out to be profitable since he has scored goals ever since at a clip that is not far off from one per game. For instance, he scored four goals at the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia, the first of which became him the nation’s youngest World Cup goal scorer ever.
The 23-year-old has a net worth of US$150 million as a result of his work. According to reports, he is the owner of many high-end Volkswagens, a Mercedes-Benz V Class, and a Ferrari 488 Pista. Despite making such extravagant purchases, he also said that he will donate his World Cup 2018 bonuses to the Premiers de Cordees Foundation, which promotes sports for kids with disabilities.
1. Neymar – US$230 million
The native of Brazil has already set records for pricey moves, but his most profitable one to date occurred in 2017 when he transferred from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for an astounding US$230 million was one of the most expensive transfers. The 30-year-old also owns a number of football records, including the quickest goal ever scored in an Olympic Games. In February 2013, he also made history by being the first Brazilian athlete to grace the cover of Time.
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