Soccer has grown into one of the most lucrative sports in the world. Transfers of players reach higher and higher sums so that player changes and the most expensive football transfers with amounts in the tens of millions have become almost the norm.

But which transfers have raised the bar when it comes to transfer fees? We present the top 10 most expensive transfers in football that will amaze fans, mere mortals and athletes in other sports.

What does the future hold: Will the dizzyingly high sums continue to rise so that a player can make it and break the magic barrier of one billion euros?

The Top 10 Most Expensive Football Transfers

Our overview shows the ten most expensive transfers in football of all time, measured by the amount of the transfer fee. The list includes all seasons, all nationalities, age groups and playing positions.

1. Neymar: 222m (FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain)

• Position: left winger
• Season: 17/18
• Nationality: Brazil
• Move to: Paris Saint-Germain FC
• League: France Ligue 1
• Total: €222 million

Brazilian superstar Neymar tops the top 10 most expensive football transfers. In 2017 he joined Paris Saint-Germain from FC Barcelona for the incredible sum of 222 million euros. As one of the best forwards of his generation, Neymar was worth the record sum for PSG.

The move to PSG was a bold move for Neymar, which has enabled him to emerge from Lionel Messi’s shadow at Barcelona and take a leading role in Paris. From a sporting point of view, Neymar brought his exceptional footballing talent, speed, technique and scoring prowess to the French capital and Neymar became a key figure in PSG’s pursuit of domestic and international titles and goals.

2. Kylian Mbappé: €180m (AS Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain)

• Position: centre forward
• Season: 18/19
• Nationality: France / Cameroon
• Move to: Paris Saint-Germain FC
• League: France Ligue 1
• Total: €180 million

Right behind Neymar is his teammate Kylian Mbappé. The young French striker joined Paris Saint-Germain from AS Monaco in 2018 for €180m. Mbappé is considered one of the greatest talents in world football and has already proven that he could live up to the high expectations placed on him. His speed, technique and goal threat make him a real asset to any team.

3. Philippe Coutinho: 135 million euros (Liverpool FC to FC Barcelona)

• Position: Left Wing
• Season: 17/18
• Nationality: Brazil / Portugal
• Move to: FC Barcelona
• League: Spain LaLiga
• Total: €135m

Philippe Coutinho, the Brazilian midfielder, joined Barcelona from Liverpool in January 2018 for €135m. Coutinho was considered one of the most talented players of his generation and was set to fill the void left by Neymar Jr’s departure.

The transfer should bring the Brazilian player’s creativity and scoring prowess to the Barcelona squad. Although Coutinho failed to live up to expectations at Barcelona, the transfer remained one of the most spectacular and expensive in football history.

4. Ousmane Dembélé: 135 Million Euros (Borussia Dortmund to FC Barcelona)

• Position: Right Wing
• Season: 17/18
• Nationality: France
• Move to: FC Barcelona
• League: Spain LaLiga
• Total: €135m

Ousmane Dembélé’s move from Borussia Dortmund to FC Barcelona in 2017 for €135m was a milestone for the young French striker. Dembélé had enjoyed an impressive season at Dortmund and was considered one of the most promising young talents in Europe. Barcelona saw in him the potential to take over from Neymar Jr.

5. João Félix: €127.56m (Benfica to Atlético Madrid)

• Position: striker
• Season: 19/20
• Nationality: Portugal
• Move to: Atlético Madrid
• League: Spain LaLiga
• Total: €127.20 million

In 2019, Atlético Madrid secured the services of Portuguese striker João Félix for a whopping €127.5m. Félix had previously caused a stir at Benfica and was coveted across Europe. Atlético Madrid went out of their way to sign him and paid a record fee for the talented youngster as a result.

6. Enzo Fernández: €121m (Benfica to Chelsea)

• Position: Defensive Midfield
• Season: 22/23
• Nationality: Argentina
• Transfer to: Chelsea
• League: England Premier League
• Total: €121 million

The transfer of Enzo Fernández from Benfica to Chelsea in 2022 for 121 million euros was one of the most expensive in recent football history. Enzo is seen as a rising midfield talent and Chelsea has put a lot of trust and money into his development.

7. Antoine Griezmann: 120 million euros (Atlético Madrid to FC Barcelona)

• Position: Stricker
• Season: 19/20
• Nationality: France
• Transfer to: FC Barcelona
• League: Spain LaLiga
• Total: €120 million

After leading Atlético Madrid to great success, Antoine Griezmann joined FC Barcelona in 2019 for €120m. The French striker was previously one of the best players in the Spanish league and even became champion with Atlético Madrid. His transfer to Barcelona was one of the most spectacular of the year.

8. Jack Grealish: €117.5m (Aston Villa to Manchester City)

• Position: left winger
• Season: 21/22
• Nationality: England / Ireland
• Move to: Manchester City
• League: England Premier League
• Total: €117.5 million

Jack Grealish’s €117.5m transfer from Aston Villa to Manchester City in 2021 was a big move for the England midfielder. Grealish had made a name for himself in the Premier League and Manchester City was willing to pay a record-breaking sum for his services. With his technique and creativity, Grealish is a valuable addition to the team.

9. Cristiano Ronaldo: €117m (Real Madrid to Juventus)

• Position: centre forward
• Season: 18/19
• Nationality: Portugal
• Move to: Juventus Turin
• League: Italy Serie A
• Total: €117 million

Cristiano Ronaldo’s move from Real Madrid to Juventus in the summer of 2018 was a historic transfer that shook the football world. After nine successful years at Real Madrid, during which Ronaldo won numerous titles and established himself as one of the best players in the world, he decided to take on a new challenge in Italy.

The transfer fee for the Portuguese superstar was 117 million euros. This transfer marked a significant milestone in transfer history. Juventus Turin not only invested a record amount in Ronaldo’s outstanding footballing skills but also his worldwide recognition and commercial marketing opportunities.

The transfer signalled Juve’s ambitious plans to regain European dominance and establish themselves as a force in world football. Ronaldo was instrumental in the success of Juventus and showed that he can still play at the highest level even at an advanced age.