The Premier League has continued to attract some of the top footballers the world has ever seen.
Indeed, there have been a plethora of stars that have not made their way to England’s top division in the past – the likes of Lionel Messi, the Brazilian Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka all stand out as some of the high profiles to have not made the switch.
However, with that said, there have still been many world-class individuals to have featured for clubs in the past and present.
Naturally, the financial resources clubs have and need to attract these huge players have certainly helped. Indeed, there are some players you could buy if you won the lottery, however there are some that you require multiple lotteries being won.
According to TransferMarkt’s data, there have been a plethora of players who have cost eye-watering sums of money, but who have been the most expensive?
1. Paul Pogba – £94.5 million
Manchester United have the record (currently) for the most expensive acquisition in the Premier League and this came when they signed Paul Pogba from Juventus in 2016. The Red Devils initially had the Frenchman on their books as a youngster, however some stellar performances for the Serie A giants saw them have to fork out a near £100 million to bring him back to Old Trafford!
2. Harry Maguire – £78.3 million
Manchester United splashed out £78.3 million to sign Harry Maguire from Leicester City in 2019 and it is a move that still provides questions. The England international – who is the Red Devils’ skipper – has looked uncomfortable at times and has drawn criticism from all corners, making Leicester City appear to be the real winners of this transfer!
3. Romelu Lukaku – £76.23 million
The Red half of Manchester have certainly had financial backing as they also have the record for the third-most-expensive signing in Premier League history to date. Indeed, another one that perhaps did not work out as initially planned, as Romelu Lukaku was sold to Inter Milan.
4. Virgil van Dijk – £76.19 million
Eyes were opened when Liverpool splashed out just over £76 million on Virgil van Dijk, however it is a move that has paid off immensely. Whilst the former Southampton centre-back has been at Anfield, the Reds have managed to lift the UEFA Champions League and their first Premier League title; solid business indeed.
5. Kai Havertz – £72 million
Chelsea recently splashed out £72 million on Kai Havertz as they brought the German wonderkid to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2020. Truth be told, he has struggled in his first few months, however the Blues will be hoping he will settle into life as well as compatriot Timo Werner already has and will show everyone why he cost so much.
