Most Expensive Football Forwards. The last several years have seen a paradigm shift in football as it has grown more commercialized. To win the most titles, every football team aspires to sign top talent.
In today’s market, top attackers like Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Victor Osimhen are valued by their respective teams at somewhere around €200 million. Young, gifted forwards like Rasmus Hojlund, 20, of Denmark, and Goncalo Ramos, 22, who famously scored a hat-trick in the World Cup while filling in for Cristiano Ronaldo, are also fetching eye-watering prices close to €100 million.
This article will examine the top ten forwards in terms of price paid in football history.
#10 Romelu Lukaku – €113M
Romelu Lukaku, a talented Belgian attacker, made an incredible comeback to Chelsea in 2021, 10 years after his initial stint with the team. Lukaku’s outstanding achievements in the 2020–21 Serie A season—where he finished as the second-highest goal scorer—led Chelsea to sign him for a hefty €113 million transfer price.
This deal shattered the team’s prior record and confirmed Lukaku’s place among the world’s finest forwards. After a lackluster first season, the transfer did not work out for either party, and Lukaku returned to the Nerazzurri on loan the following year.
#9 Eden Hazard – €115M
For €115 million in the summer of 2019, Real Madrid acquired Eden Hazard, who is perhaps their worst acquisition. Since Hazard is regarded as one of the top players in the Premier League, there were high hopes for his arrival.
The Belgian only managed to make a pitiful 76 appearances across competitions during his stay in the Spanish city due to a slew of injuries, scoring seven goals and providing 12 assists.
#8 Cristiano Ronaldo – €117M
Unquestionably one of the greatest players to ever play the game of soccer and renowned for his remarkable goal-scoring ability, Cristiano Ronaldo has also made an impact on the transfer market. In 2018, Ronaldo unexpectedly moved to Juventus for a cost of €117 million after enjoying considerable success with Real Madrid.
Cristiano Ronaldo became the highest-paid player in Serie A as a result of this transfer, confirming his place among the most expensive forwards in football history. The legendary Portuguese player went on to score an incredible 101 goals in 134 outings for the Bianconeri across competitions.
#7 Jack Grealish – €117.5M
Jack Grealish, a former Aston Villa stalwart, moved to Manchester City from Aston Villa for a monstrous sum of €117.5 million. At the time of the transfer, he was the most expensive footballer from the United Kingdom.
He became Manchester City’s highest-paid English player as a result of the transfer. Grealish made a seamless transition into Pep Guardiola’s system and was essential to Manchester City’s treble-winning season. The Englishman has so far played 89 games with the Cityzens in various tournaments, tallying 11 goals and 15 assists.
#6 Antoine Griezmann – €120M
The €120 million transfer fee that brought Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid to Barcelona in 2019 garnered media attention. Barcelona saw an opening when Griezmann’s release clause decreased from €200 million to €120 million and decided to take it. They needed a striker.
Griezmann spent two seasons at Barcelona, scoring 35 goals and dishing out 17 assists in 102 games across all competitions. He ultimately made his way back to Atletico Madrid, demonstrating the erratic character of the football transfer market.
#5 Joao Felix – €127.2M
Joao Felix, then just 19 years old, made a sensational transfer from Benfica to Atletico Madrid for a staggering €127.2 million. Given his inexperience in the Primeira Liga, many were startled by the choice to make a significant investment in such a young player. He was primarily acquired by Atletico Madrid in order to make room for Antoine Griezmann, who was then on his way to Barcelona.
The Portuguese have only scored 34 goals in 131 games across all competitions during their stay in the Spanish city. The Portuguese player was loaned out in the second part of the previous campaign, where he once more fell short.
#4 Ousmane Dembele – €135M
In 2017, Ousmane Dembele, whose initial signing fee of €96.8 million might increase to €135 million, became Barcelona’s second-highest acquisition.
The teenage French forward had shown remarkable performances for Borussia Dortmund, and Barcelona sensed huge promise in him. Despite the fact that he has been plagued by ailments throughout his time at Barcelona, the team’s investment in him can be seen in the transfer fee.
The Frenchman has 185 appearances for the Blaugrana across all competitions, scoring 40 goals and providing 43 assists. Seven trophies in all, including three La Liga championships, have been won by him.
#3 Phillipe Coutinho – €135M
Barcelona paid €135 million to acquire Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool in 2018, which was more than Dembele’s transfer fee. The Brazilian playmaker was at the moment Barcelona’s most expensive acquisition.
However, Coutinho’s tenure at Barcelona fell short of expectations, as he was unable to match his performance at Liverpool. In 106 games across various leagues for the club, he registered 25 goals and 14 assists. The Reds, on the other hand, went on to win consecutive Champions League and Premier League championships.
#2 Kylian Mbappe – €180M
Kylian Mbappe, the victor of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, created history when he joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) from Monaco for a reported €180 million transfer fee. He became the second-most expensive player and the priciest teenager in the world as a result of this trade.
During his time at Monaco, the Frenchman was a young prodigy renowned for his lightning-quick pace and precise finishing. He first gained notoriety during the club’s run to the UEFA Champions League semifinals in 2016–17, scoring six goals in the process.
With 212 goals in 260 games, Mbappe has had an exceptional run in the French city. He also holds the club record for most goals scored. Mbappe has been a key component of PSG’s successes over the past few years, despite the fact that he has yet to win the UCL with the French powerhouses.
#1 Neymar – €222M
Neymar, a Brazilian phenom who left Barcelona for a record-breaking €222 million, was the superstar PSG was searching for. Neymar became the most expensive player in history thanks to this historic transfer, which caught the interest of football fans all around the world.
Neymar has had an unquestionable impact on PSG, with his skill and flair improving the team’s performances while receiving criticism for leaving Barcelona. The Brazilian has played in 173 games for the Parisians in various tournaments, scoring 118 goals and assisting 77 others. There is no doubt that Neymar’s transfer to PSG will live on in history.
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