Top 50 Most Expensive Summer Signings: Who Invested Best?

What has been the most expensive transfer in history? An in-depth analysis

The most expensive transfer in football history is undoubtedly Neymar’s to Paris Saint-Germain. The French club paid the staggering sum of 222 million euros to sign the Brazilian star from Barcelona. Another player who came close to that figure was Kylian Mbappé, also acquired by PSG in the same year for 180 million euros, coming from Monaco. No other transfer has exceeded 150 million euros. However, the value of money changes over time. 50 million euros in 2025 is not equivalent to 100 million in 2015, and PSG’s purchasing power differs significantly from that of teams like Marseille or Mallorca. In an era where leagues and UEFA impose spending limits based on a percentage of club revenue, there is a more precise way to compare investments in signings: analyze the percentage they represent relative to the club’s total revenue, considering both the teams and the different eras. If we take Neymar’s signing as an example, it represented 40% of PSG’s revenue in the 2017-18 season. Although it seems like a lot, and it is, clubs usually allocate between 15% and 20% of their revenue to their most expensive signings. Neymar’s case, however, doubled that figure. In contrast, Real Madrid paid a higher percentage for Zinedine Zidane in 2001. In the midst of the “Galácticos” era, Madrid broke the transfer record by acquiring Zidane, 29 years old, for 77.5 million euros, which was equivalent to 51% of its income. Even more striking was the signing of Denilson by Real Betis three years earlier. The transfer of the Brazilian, 20 years old, for 30 million euros represented at least 60% of the income of the Seville club. The lack of precise data from 1998 prevents offering an exact calculation, but the magnitude of the investment is evident. Now, let’s analyze the most significant transfers in the Premier League in the current season, applying this same criterion. Below, we present the 50 most expensive signings in the Premier League, evaluated in relation to the spending capacity of each team.

Methodology and Considerations

The ranking is based on the financial data from the 2023-24 season, as there is a lag of approximately six months in the publication of the clubs’ annual accounts. It is important not to focus solely on the exact position of each player on the list, but on their overall placement. Club revenues vary from year to year, but significant fluctuations in relation to their competitors are rare. According to studies by the consulting group Twenty First Group, players who represent between 15% and 20% of a club’s revenue usually participate in approximately 70% of the playing minutes. If that figure drops to 10%, participation is halved. This suggests that some signings, although they may seem very expensive, might not guarantee a starting position depending on the club’s purchasing power.

If an Arsenal fan is concerned about the performance of Viktor Gyökeres, whose signing is not on this list, they can remember that, although Arsenal invested 65.8 million euros in his signing, this amount does not guarantee undisputed starting position in a club of its size.

Finally, estimates were made for the newly promoted clubs, considering that they now have access to lucrative broadcasting deals. For Leeds and Burnley, their revenues from the last seasons in the Premier League were taken, rounding to the nearest multiple of 10 million. For Sunderland, the average revenue of the three promoted teams in the 2023-24 season was used.

Ranking of the most expensive transfers of 2025 according to their “real cost”

50. Matheus Cunha, attacking midfielder, Wolverhampton Wanderers to Manchester United

• Transfer fee: 74.2 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 9.63%

Analysis: Did Manchester United overpay for Cunha?

49. Evann Guessand, forward, OGC Nice to Aston Villa

• Transfer fee: 30.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 9.67%

48. Eberechi Eze, attacking midfielder, Crystal Palace to Arsenal

• Transfer fee: 69.3 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 9.67%

47. Granit Xhaka, defensive midfielder, Bayer Leverkusen to Sunderland

• Transfer fee: 15.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 9.68%

46. Bryan Mbeumo, winger, Brentford to Manchester United

• Transfer fee: 75.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 9.73%

Although the recent additions to Manchester United have been criticized, the investment in Cunha and Mbeumo does not suggest that the team is being built around them. 45. Martín Zubimendi, defensive midfielder, Real Sociedad to Arsenal

• Transfer fee: 70.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 9.77%

Although Liverpool led spending this summer, they also obtained significant income from transfers. Arsenal, on the other hand, spent a lot on signings but received little income in return, resulting in the highest net spending in the world. 44. Loum Tchaouna, winger, RC Strasbourg to Burnley

• Transfer fee: 15.15 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 9.84%

43. Benjamin Sesko, forward, RB Leipzig to Manchester United

• Transfer fee: 76.5 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 9.93%

Manchester United Unveils Benjamin Sesko at Old Trafford

42. Jamie Gittens, winger, Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea

• Transfer fee: 56.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 10.27%

41. Antoni Milambo, attacking midfielder, Feyenoord to Brentford

• Transfer price: 20.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 10.30%

40. Mohammed Kudus, winger, West Ham United to Tottenham Hotspur

• Transfer price: 63.8 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 10.37%

The winger market was confusing this summer, with many teams paying a lot of money for players skilled at dribbling, but not necessarily effective at scoring goals. 39. Jaydee Canvot, central defender, FC Toulouse to Crystal Palace

• Transfer price: 23.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 10.51%

38. Xavi Simons, attacking midfielder, RB Leipzig to Tottenham Hotspur

• Transfer fee: 65.0 million euros
• Revenue percentage: 10.57%

Simons has the potential to be a star. Considering the percentage of income, his signing cost Spurs less than Fer López’s signing cost Wolves. 37. Ladislav Krejci, centre-back, Girona FC to Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Transfer fee: 22.5 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 10.87%

36. Noah Sadiki, central midfielder, Union Saint-Gilloise to Sunderland

• Transfer fee: 17.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 10.97%

35. Fernando López, right winger, Celta de Vigo to Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Transfer price: 23.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 11.12%

34. Amine Adli, winger, Bayer 04 Leverkusen to AFC Bournemouth

• Transfer fee: 21.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 11.36%

33. João Pedro, forward, Brighton & Hove Albion to Chelsea

• Transfer fee: 63.7 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 11.68%

Pedro: “Playing for Chelsea and Brazil has always been my dream”

32. Jacob Ramsey, central midfielder, Aston Villa to Newcastle United

• Transfer fee: 45.15 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 12.14%

31. Ben Doak, winger, Liverpool to AFC Bournemouth

• Transfer price: 23.2 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 12.54%

30. Tolu Arokodare, forward, KRC Genk to Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Transfer price: 26.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 12.57%

29. James McAtee, attacking midfielder, Manchester City to Nottingham Forest

• Transfer fee: 25.5 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 12.76%

28. Chemsdine Talbi, winger, Club Brugge to Sunderland

• Transfer price: 20.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 12.90%

27. Brian Brobbey, forward, Ajax Amsterdam to Sunderland

• Transfer price: 20.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 12.90%

26. Jørgen Strand Larsen, forward, Celta de Vigo to Wolverhampton Wanderers

• Transfer fee: 27.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 13.05%

25. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, central midfielder, Chelsea to Everton

• Transfer price: 28.65 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 13.17%

24. Hugo Ekitike, forward, Eintracht Frankfurt to Liverpool

• Transfer price: 95.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 13.29%

23. Charalampos Kostoulas, forward, Olympiacos to Brighton & Hove Albion

• Transfer fee: 35.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 13.63%

22. Mateus Fernandes, central midfielder, Southampton FC to West Ham United

• Transfer fee: 44.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 13.66%

21. Yeremy Pino, right winger, Villarreal CF to Crystal Palace

• Transfer fee: 30.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 13.70%

20. Thierno Barry, forward, Villarreal CF to Everton

• Transfer fee: 30.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 13.79%

19. Enzo Le Fée, central midfielder, AS Roma to Sunderland

• Transfer fee: 23.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 14.84%

18. Armando Broja, forward, Chelsea to Burnley

• Transfer fee: 23.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 14.94%

17. Arnaud Kalimuendo, forward, Stade Rennais to Nottingham Forest

• Transfer fee: 30.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 15.01%

16. Yoane Wissa, forward, Brentford to Newcastle United

• Transfer price: 57.7 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 15.52%

15. Djordje Petrovic, goalkeeper, Chelsea to AFC Bournemouth

• Transfer price: 28.9 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 15.63%

14. Simon Adingra, winger, Brighton & Hove Albion to Sunderland

• Transfer price: 24.4 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 15.74%

13. Anthony Elanga, winger, Nottingham Forest to Newcastle United

• Transfer fee: 61.4 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 16.51%

12. Florian Wirtz, attacking midfielder, Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool

• Transfer price: 125.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 17.49%

Liverpool paid 125 million euros for Florian Wirtz, but it was only enough for the number 12 position in our ranking of the 50 most expensive transfers

11. Dilane Bakwa, winger, RC Strasbourg to Nottingham Forest

• Transfer fee: 35.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 17.51%

10. Tyler Dibling, winger, Southampton FC to Everton

• Transfer fee: 40.5 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 18.61%

9. Lesley Ugochukwu, defensive midfielder, Chelsea to Burnley

• Transfer price: 28.7 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 18.65%

8. Kevin, winger, Shakhtar Donetsk to Fulham

• Transfer fee: 40.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 18.85%

7. Bafodé Diakité, central defender, LOSC Lille to AFC Bournemouth

• Transfer fee: 35.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 18.93%

6. Alexander Isak, forward, Newcastle United to Liverpool

• Transfer price: 144.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 20.15%

Analysis: How will Liverpool’s attack look with Isak?

5. Habib Diarra, central midfielder, RC Strasbourg to Sunderland

• Transfer fee: 31.5 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 20.32%

4. Dan Ndoye, winger, Bologna FC 1909 to Nottingham Forest

• Transfer fee: 42.0 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 21.01%

3. Omari Hutchinson, attacking midfielder, Ipswich Town to Nottingham Forest

• Transfer price: 43.4 million euros
• Percentage of revenue: 21.71%

Forest has spent a lot of money on a team with…