50 of the best big-money Premier League signings ever
- Charlie Smith
- @CharlieSmith118
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Since the Premier League began in 1992, there has been plenty of big-money transfers, with top-flight sides splashing the cash in hope of landing the next big thing. Some deals haven’t worked out for whatever reason, however, plenty have. We’ve decided to take a look back at 50 of the best big-money deals which have gone on to pay off big time…
Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool
Arguably one of the best big-money deals in Premier League history. Nobody could believe Liverpool were paying Southampton £75m for Virgil van Dijk in 2018, but during his two-and-a-half-year stay at Anfield, he’s proven to be worth every penny and more!
Wayne Rooney – Manchester United
Manchester United took a £25m punt on Wayne Rooney from Everton back in 2004 following his impressive performances as a teenager at Goodison Park. It quickly turned into a shrewd piece of business by the Red Devils, with Rooney going on to become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Sergio Aguero – Manchester City
One of Manchester City’s most historic signings occurred in 2011 when they continued to splash the cash by paying Atletico Madrid £35m for striker Sergio Aguero. The Argentine has been a steal at that price, winning 10 major honours during his nine-year stay at the Etihad. City fans would argue that his famous league winning strike against QPR in 2012 was worth the fee alone!
Alan Shearer – Newcastle United
Alan Shearer moved to boyhood club Newcastle United in 1996 in what was a world transfer record fee at the time. The Magpies paid Blackburn Rovers a whopping £15m for the striker, but the all-time leading Premier League scorer was worth it, finding the back of the net on 182 occasions in black and white.
Eden Hazard – Chelsea
Eden Hazard sealed his dream move to Real Madrid last summer, with Chelsea making a huge profit on the £32m they paid Lille for the Belgian back in 2012. Hazard became a Blues legend at Stamford Bridge, helping them win six major honours. Good business both on and off the pitch!
Thierry Henry – Arsenal
Considered by many as the best foreigner to play in the Premier League, Thierry Henry arrived at Arsenal in 1999 with a big £11m price tag on his shoulders. The French forward lived up to expectations in north London, scoring 175 goals in the top flight. He’s also the Gunners’ all-time top scorer as well!
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
Mohamed Salah’s initial stint in the Premier League with Chelsea didn’t go to plan, so it came as a surprise to many to see Liverpool fork out £36.9m for the Roma man in 2017. It’s proven to be an inspired piece of business by the Reds, with the Egyptian becoming one of the most lethal forwards Anfield has ever seen!
Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo’s £12.24m move to Manchester United in 2003 was considered a big financial deal on an unproven winger at the time. However, during his six-year Old Trafford stay, the forward turned into a superstar and turned £12.24m into £80m for the Red Devils when he joined Real Madrid.
Didier Drogba – Chelsea
A year after Roman Abramovich took over at Chelsea, the Blues broke their transfer record on striker Didier Drogba. The Ivorian joined from Marseille in a deal worth £24m, and he repaid every penny of that over his initial eight-year stay in London. Drogba, who returned to the club for a year in 2014, won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and a Champions League -not bad!
David Silva – Manchester City
David Silva’s £25m switch from Valencia to Manchester City in 2010 was considered as a gamble by some, however, the Spaniard has become one of the greatest playmakers the Premier League has ever seen. He’s set to leave the Etihad over the coming months and will rightly go down as one of City’s greatest players.
Fernando Torres – Liverpool
Fernando Torres’ £50m move to Chelsea in 2011 may not have worked out, but his initial Premier League switch to Liverpool four years earlier certainly did! The Reds paid Atletico Madrid a then club-record £26.5m fee for is services, and the Spanish striker starred at Anfield.
Luka Modric – Tottenham
Tottenham haven’t been known for splashing the cash in recent years, but one of their best big-money deals came when they signed Luka Modric from Dinamo Zagreb in 2008. Spurs paid £20m for the midfielder, who went on to become a vital figure at White Hart Lane before leaving for Real Madrid four years later for £30m.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Arsenal
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has proven to be a bargain at £56m for Arsenal. He’s now the Gunners captain, and the only regret the club will have is that they didn’t sign him sooner!
Frank Lampard – Chelsea
Cash-strapped Chelsea’s decision to spend £11m on West Ham midfielder Frank Lampard in 2001 was viewed as a major financial risk at the time, but it’s rightly gone down as one of the best deals in Premier League history. Now Blues boss, Lampard spent 13 years at Stamford Bridge, becoming the club’s all-time leading goalscorer from midfield!
Rio Ferdinand – Manchester United
Rio Ferdinand became the most expensive British player twice during his career, but it was his second move in 2002 from Leeds United to Manchester United that will be remembered the most. The defender settled at Old Trafford and lived up to the hype following a £30m switch, winning nine major honours under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Kevin de Bruyne – Manchester City
Many found Manchester City’s decision to bring Kevin de Bruyne back to the Premier League in 2015 laughable. The Belgian, who endured a tough time with Chelsea, got his career back on track with Wolfsburg, and it was his form in Germany which meant City were willing to pay £55m for the midfielder. Whoever questioned City’s decision five years ago will now look a bit silly!
Romelu Lukaku – Everton
Romelu Lukaku has been at the centre of some huge transfer fees over the years, and Everton’s decision to sign the Belgian permanently from Chelsea for £28m in 2014 was a smart one. The powerful forward continued his impressive form at Goodison Park, and the Toffees also made a £50m profit on the striker when they sold him to Manchester United three years later.
Ricardo Carvalho – Chelsea
Ricardo Carvalho is considered as one of Chelsea’s most underrated signings over the last 15 years. The Portuguese defender reunited with Jose Mourinho in an eye-catching £19m deal back in 2004 and went on to form a formidable partnership alongside John Terry. Carvalho was part of three Premier League title-winning squads, so he proved to be a bargain over time.
Sadio Mane – Liverpool
Sadio Mane is now rightly regarded as one of the best forwards in world football, so his £34m switch from Southampton to Liverpool in 2016 has definitely been worth it. He’s worth a lot more than that now after improving year on year under Jurgen Klopp.
Ruud van Nistelrooy – Manchester United
Arsene Wenger decided to sign Francis Jeffers for Arsenal instead of Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Manchester United took full advantage of that by landing the Dutch striker from PSV Eindhoven for a huge £19m fee in 2001. It was a gamble by Sir Alex Ferguson but one that paid off, with van Nistelrooy becoming an Old Trafford legend during his four-year stay.
Heung-min Son – Tottenham
Heung-min Son’s £22m switch to Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 went under the radar a little, but it’s proven to be an inspired piece of business by Spurs. The South Korean has grown the club’s global brand while also becoming one of their main stars on the pitch.
Yaya Toure – Manchester City
One of the most complete midfielders the Premier League, Yaya Toure joined Manchester City from Barcelona in 2010 for £24m. The Ivorian arrived at the Etihad with high expectations, but he quickly surpassed those and went on to become a Premier League star, winning three top-flight titles.
N’Golo Kante – Chelsea
N’Golo Kante is considered by many in the game as one of the nicest footballers of all time, and following his Premier League-winning season with Leicester City, joined Chelsea in a £32m deal. The energetic midfielder has gone on to establish himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in world football, and if the Blues were to part ways with the Frenchman, they’d probably make a huge profit!
Luis Suarez – Liverpool
Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez were announced as Liverpool players together, and luckily for the Reds, one of those deals turned out to be successful. Suarez was the cheaper of the two, signing from Ajax for £22.8m, and the Uruguayan went on to star at Anfield before leaving for Barcelona in 2014 in a move worth £75m.
David de Gea – Manchester United
Manchester United’s decision to make David de Gea the second most expensive goalkeeper in the world back in 2011 looked to have backfired early on, with the Spaniard’s shaky start a concern at Old Trafford. However, over time, his £19m move from Athletic Bilbao turned out to be another masterstroke by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Mesut Ozil – Arsenal
Even though Mesut Ozil has gone off the boil in recent years in north London, overall, the German’s £42.5m move from Real Madrid back in 2013 has been viewed as a success. He’s produced plenty of unplayable performances for the Gunners, becoming one of the best creative midfielders in the Premier League over the past seven years.
Fernandinho – Manchester City
David Silva, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero’s big-money deals will go down in Manchester City history, but one that shouldn’t be forgotten is Fernandinho’s switch to the Etihad in 2013. Without the defensive midfielder, City may not have had as much success over the last seven years, so his £30m move was a great piece of business.
Diego Costa – Chelsea
Diego Costa certainly split opinion during his three-year stay in the Premier League with Chelsea, however, the Blues’ £32m deal was a brilliant one. Not only did the Spaniard terrorise defences and help Chelsea to two league titles, they then made a £25m profit on the striker when he moved back to Atletico Madrid in 2017.
James Maddison – Leicester City
Many were surprised when Leicester City forked out £20m on midfielder James Maddison in 2018, but the Foxes certainly knew what they were doing! The playmaker has taken to top-flight football with ease and is now seen as one of England’s best in his preferred role.
Sadio Mane – Southampton
So good he makes the list twice. Sadio Mane’s switch to Southampton in 2014 rose to £20m with various add-ons, but he proved to be worth every penny. 25 goals and 14 assists in 75 appearances for the Saints helped him earn his move to Anfield.
Alisson – Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp knew he needed to bring in a reliable goalkeeper in 2018, but many were shocked when the Reds made Alisson the world’s most expensive goalkeeper. The Brazilian joined from Roma in a deal worth £65m and has gone on to live up to that price tag with several match-winning performances.
Ederson – Manchester City
Another Brazilian shot-stopper who’s been worth the big fee is Manchester City’s Ederson. He completed a £35m move to the Etihad from Benfica in 2017 and has made a name for himself by being one of the calmest ‘keepers on the ball!
Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano – West Ham
One of the strangest and most controversial double deals the Premier League has ever seen came in 2006 when West Ham signed Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano. The pair played a key role in helping the Hammers avoid the drop before moving to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively.
Lucas Moura – Tottenham
Tottenham fans will tell you that Lucas Moura’s £25m move from Paris Saint-Germain in 2018 was worth it following his memorable hat-trick against Ajax in the Champions League semi-final last year, and they’re probably right! The Brazilian has also starred for Spurs over the last two years in the Premier League.
Raheem Sterling – Manchester City
Raheem Sterling isn’t the most popular player amongst Liverpool fans nowadays following his £49m move to Manchester City back in 2015. It’s proven to be another inspired piece of business by City, with Sterling going from strength to strength in recent years under the guidance of Pep Guardiola.
Michael Essien – Chelsea
Michael Essien became Chelsea’s most expensive signing back in 2005 when he joined from Lyon in a deal worth £24.4m. The Ghanaian midfielder starred for the Blues in his nine-year stay at Stamford Bridge, helping them win eight major honours. That £24.4m figure turned out to be a bargain!
Roberto Firmino – Liverpool
Roberto Firmino was an unknown figure when he joined Liverpool from Hoffenheim. The Brazilian cost the Reds £29m, and during his five-year stint in Merseyside, has become the key central figure in Jurgen Klopp’s attack. If Liverpool were to sell Firmino now, they’d definitely get a lot more than the fee they paid in 2015!
Virgil van Dijk – Southampton
Another man to make the list twice is Virgil van Dijk. The Dutch defender joined Southampton from Celtic in 2015 and took to life in the Premier League with ease. As we all know, the Saints would make a major £60m profit on van Dijk just halfway through his five-year deal at St Mary’s.
Marouane Fellaini – Everton
Many forget the impact Marouane Fellaini had at Everton due to his tough time at Manchester United. The Belgian made the move to England from Standard Liege in 2008, with the Toffees paying £15m for his services. He was unplayable at times under David Moyes, but unfortunately, he’ll probably be remembered for his poor Old Trafford stint.
Bernardo Silva – Manchester City
Pep Guardiola hasn’t made many signings that haven’t worked during his time as Manchester City boss. Bernardo Silva is arguably one of his best, with the Portuguese midfielder joining from Monaco for £43.5m in 2017. He’s already won the Premier League twice and was key in City’s historic domestic treble-winning side last season.
Toby Alderweireld – Tottenham
Southampton have sold several players to the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ over the years, and one of the first came when Toby Alderweireld left St Mary’s for Tottenham. He moved to London in an eight-figure deal and has been an ever-present figure for Spurs over the last five years.
Raul Jimenez – Wolves
Wolves smashed their club-record transfer fee last summer by making Raul Jimenez’s loan spell at Molineux permanent. They paid £30m for the Mexican, and he’s repaid the club’s faith by banging in the goals under Nuno Espirito Santo!
Dimitri Payet – West Ham
Dimitri Payet’s £13m switch to West Ham in 2015 was an inspired piece of business by the Hammers. They’ve been known for making some bizarre signings in recent years, but the arrival of Payet was one of a few they got right. The Frenchman starred at Upton Park in his first season before returning to Marseille in 2017, with West Ham doubling the fee to £26m.
Aymeric Laporte – Manchester City
Manchester City spent £57m on Aymeric Laporte in 2018, and his arrival from Athletic Bilbao has proven to be a great piece of business. He looks like he’ll be City’s first-choice centre-back for several years to come, and £57m could turn out to be a bargain!
Willian – Chelsea
Willian may well end up leaving Stamford Bridge when his contract expires in the summer, but he should go down as a Chelsea great following his £30m move from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013. The Brazilian has won two Premier League titles with the Blues and has made over 300 appearances.
Adama Traore – Wolves
Adama Traore struggled during his stints with Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, so many were shocked that Wolves decided to spend in the region of £18m on the winger in 2018. However, he’s proven to be an excellent addition at Molineux and has improved massively, which has led to recent links to some of Europe’s biggest sides.
Jordan Henderson – Liverpool
Jordan Henderson’s £20m move to Liverpool from Sunderland in 2011 looked like a horrendous one at first, but to the midfielder’s credit, he’s gone from strength to strength on Merseyside, especially under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp. He’s now considered as one of the best midfielders in Europe, so maybe £20m wasn’t so bad after all!
Mousa Dembele – Tottenham
Mousa Dembele swapped Fulham for Tottenham ten years ago, and his £15m price tag seemed a bit pricey at first. However, the Belgian became a key member of the Spurs midfield during his seven-year stay in north London and made just shy of 250 appearances for the club. Tottenham also recouped £11m from Beijing Guoan for the midfielder, so it turned out to be a great big-money move in 2010.
Georginio Wijnaldum – Newcastle United
Georginio Wijnaldum probably deserves to be on this list twice following his £23m move to Liverpool in 2016, but we’ve picked out his initial £15m move to England with Newcastle United 12 months earlier for praise. The Dutch midfielder starred at St James’ Park after he left PSV, and has gone down as one deal that the Magpies definitely got right.