September 5 – The summer transfer window has once again showcased the financial powerhouses of European and global football, as clubs combined for a total spend of $6.45 billion.
Despite the decline in spending from last season, the number of transfers reached a new record high, with more than 12,000 transfers in men’s and women’s professional football combined over the course of the summer window.
In the men’s game, the total 11,000 transfers marked a 4.86% increase from 2023, even if the overall spend was almost $1billion lower.
We’ve compiled a list of the top 20 transfers to command the largest transfer fees. It is worth noting that high-profile free transfers or loans such as Real Madrid’s signing of Kylian Mbappe and Galatasary-bound Victor Osimhen have not been included as no fee was exchanged between clubs.
- Julián Alvarez topped the list of the most expensive transfers of the summer, moving from Manchester City to Atlético Madrid in LaLiga for €75 million. The 24-year-old centre-forward, valued at €90 million by Transfermarkt, represents a significant investment for the Spanish club, who are betting on his potential to become one of the leading strikers in Europe.
- Dominic Solanke’s switch to Tottenham Hotspur from Bournemouth for €64.30 million broke the club’s record for a transfer fee, which drew criticism considering the player’s €40 million market value. The England-Nigeria dual national, now 26, impressed last season with 19 Premier League goals for former club Bournemouth, developing into a prolific centre-forward that Spurs are banking on to spearhead their attack for the coming season.
- Leny Yoro’s €62 million switch to Manchester United highlights the growing trend of investing in youth. The highly-rated 18-year-old centre-back is seen as a long-term solution to United’s defensive concerns, with Real Madrid and Liverpool also interested in the young Frenchman this summer.
- Pedro Neto joined Chelsea from Wolverhampton Wanderers for €60 million. The 24-year-old right winger, valued at €55 million, is expected to add flair and creativity to Chelsea’s frontline as they look to rebuild after a turbulent season.
- Moussa Diaby marked the most lucrative Saudi pickup of the summer as the winger left Aston Villa for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad for €60 million after just one season in the Premier League.
- João Neves’s transfer to Paris Saint-Germain for €59.92 million added another young star to the French giant’s roster as they looked to use Mbappe’s financial absence to strengthen across the pitch. The 19-year-old Portuguese defensive midfielder, who marked yet another massive sale by former club Benfica, represents PSG’s focus on building a team around promising youth having secured a number of teenage talents this summer.
- Amadou Onana made his way to Aston Villa from Everton for €59.35 million. The 22-year-old Belgian defensive midfielder is expected to bolster Villa’s midfield as they aim to make a mark on their return to the Champions League. He has already made an impact with his new club, scoring twice in three games.
- Dani Olmo made a return to Spain, signing with Barcelona from Leipzig for €55 million. The 26-year-old Spanish attacking midfielder, valued at €60 million, brings creativity and experience to a Barcelona side eager to reclaim its European dominance. Olmo represents a rare dip into the transfer market for Barcelona, who have struggled financially in recent seasons.
- Teun Koopmeiners moved to Juventus from Atalanta as the Old Lady look to restructure under new boss Thiago Motta. The 26-year-old Dutch attacking midfielder, who commanded a price tag of €54.7 million, is set to be a key figure in Juventus’ rejuvenated midfield lining up alongside new pickups Khephren Thuram and Douglas Luiz.
- Michael Olise completed a high-profile move to Bayern Munich from Crystal Palace for €53 million. The 22-year-old French right winger, valued at €55.00 million, is expected to inject youthful energy into Bayern’s already formidable attack. The player was the star of the French Olympic team and has impressed in the opening two Bundesliga games, although is still yet to get on the scoresheet.
The rest of the top 20 unravels as follows:
- João Félix
– Position: Second striker / winger
– Age: 24
– Nationality: Portugal
– New Club: Chelsea FC (Premier League, England)
– Market Value: €30.00m
– Transfer Fee: €52.00m
- Douglas Luiz
– Position: Central Midfield
– Age: 26
– Nationality: Brazil
– Club: Juventus FC (Serie A, Italy)
– Market Value: €70.00m
– Transfer Fee: €51.50m
- João Palhinha
– Position: Defensive Midfield
– Age: 29
– Nationality: Portugal
– Club: Bayern Munich (Bundesliga, Germany)
– Market Value: €55.00m
– Transfer Fee: €51m
- Désiré Doué
– Position: Left Winger
– Age: 19
– Nationality: France
– Club: Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1, France)
– Market Value: €30m
– Transfer Fee: €50m
- Manuel Ugarte
– Position: Defensive Midfield
– Age: 23
– Nationality: Uruguay
– Club: Manchester United (Premier League, England)
– Market Value: €45m
– Transfer Fee: €50m
- Endrick
– Position: Centre-Forward
– Age: 18
– Nationality: Brazil
– Club: Real Madrid (LaLiga, Spain)
– Market Value: €60m
– Transfer Fee: €47.5m
- Max Kilman
– Position: Centre-Back
– Age: 27
– Nationality: England
– Club: West Ham United (Premier League, England)
– Market Value: €32m
– Transfer Fee: €47.5m
- Georginio Rutter
– Position: Centre-Forward
– Age: 22
– Nationality: France
– Club: Brighton & Hove Albion (Premier League, England)
– Market Value: €18m
– Transfer Fee: €46.7m
- Matthijs de Ligt
– Position: Centre-Back
– Age: 25
– Nationality: Netherlands
– Club: Manchester United (Premier League, England)
– Market Value: €65m
– Transfer Fee: €45m
- Riccardo Calafiori
– Position: Centre-Back
– Age: 22
– Nationality: Italy
– Club: Arsenal FC (Premier League, England)
– Market Value: €45m
– Transfer Fee: €45m
These moves highlight the ongoing trend of clubs investing heavily in young talent, as well as the rising influence of leagues outside Europe, such as the Saudi Pro League, in the global transfer market. The sums spent this summer again reflect the financial muscle of football’s elite clubs, as they look to secure the future stars of the game before they’ve fully formed.
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