The Premier League is the richest league in the world and English sides have made a lot of mega-money purchases in recent years.
Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City often flex their financial muscles but the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool can also splash the cash when required.
We’ve taken a look at the 11 most expensive Premier League signings of all time and how they fared after making the big-money move.
Note: we’ve included any potential add-ons in the total figures.
11= Antony – £85m
Year: 2022
From: Ajax
To: Manchester United
Having worked with Antony at Ajax, Erik ten Hag made the Brazil international his top transfer target after taking over at Manchester United.
United submitted three unsuccessful bids before agreeing to pay the Eredivisie side a guaranteed £80.75million and another £4.25million in add-ons.
The 25-year-old failed to justify that price tag at Old Trafford, scoring 12 goals and registering five assists in 96 appearances in all competitions.
He had a successful loan spell at Real Betis in the second half of the 2024/25 season and United are now hoping to recoup some of their investment.
Man Utd winger Antony
11= Darwin Nunez – £85m
Year: 2022
From: Benfica
To: Liverpool
Nunez became one of the most sought-after young players in Europe after scoring 34 goals for Benfica in 2021/22, including two against Liverpool in the Champions League.
The Reds forked out an initial £64million and another £21million in potential add-ons to bring the Uruguay international to Anfield.
But he’s not been a prolific goalscorer for the Reds, finding the back of the net just 40 times in 143 appearances in all competitions.
The 26-year-old striker played a bit-part role under Arne Slot in the 2024/25 season and looks set to leave Liverpool this summer.
9. Mykhailo Mudryk – £88.5m
Year: 2023
From: Shakhtar Donetsk
To: Chelsea
Arsenal identified Mudryk as a top target in January 2023 but they were unable to agree a transfer fee with Shakhtar Donetsk, who rejected two bids from the Gunners.
Chelsea hijacked the deal and secured his signature after paying an initial £62million and a further £26.5million in potential add-ons.
The Ukraine international has struggled to make a major impact at Stamford Bridge, scoring 10 goals and registering 11 assists in 73 appearances in all competitions.
His Chelsea career went from bad to worse with news of his failed drugs test in November 2024, and he is now facing a lengthy ban, potentially for as long as four years.
8. Paul Pogba – £89m
Year: 2016
From: Juventus
To: Manchester United
After leaving Manchester United on a free transfer in 2012, Pogba returned to the club in a then-world-record transfer deal in 2016.
He enjoyed an impressive debut season in 2016/17, helping Jose Mourinho’s side lift the League Cup and scoring in the Europa League final win over Ajax.
But that was about as good as it got for the France international, who struggled with injury problems and a lack of consistency in the following five seasons.
He was even booed by home fans during his final game at Old Trafford and rejoined Juventus on a free transfer in the summer of 2022.
“I’m 🔙”
Paul Pogba rejoined @ManUtd #OnThisDay in 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣6️⃣ pic.twitter.com/C4mBGJyLF7
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 9, 2020
7. Romelu Lukaku – £90m
Year: 2017
From: Everton
To: Manchester United
Lukaku spent four seasons at Everton before joining Manchester United in a deal worth an initial £75million and another £15million in potential add-ons.
The Belgium international hit the ground running and broke Sir Bobby Charlton’s long-standing record by scoring 10 goals in his first nine appearances for the club.
But he failed to maintain that goalscoring form and came under fire for his fitness and professionalism in the 2018/19 season.
The striker was sold to Inter Milan in the summer of 2019, having registered 42 goals and 12 assists in 96 appearances for United.
6. Romelu Lukaku – £97.5m
Year: 2021
From: Inter Milan
To: Chelsea
Lukaku rebuilt his reputation at Inter, scoring 64 goals in 95 appearances in all competitions and helping them win the Serie A title.
Chelsea, who sold the striker to Everton for £28million in 2014, then brought him back to Stamford Bridge in a £97.5million deal in 2021.
But he failed to live up to expectations, scoring 15 goals in 54 appearances in 2021/22 before being sent back to Inter on a season-long loan deal.
The 32-year-old had another loan spell at Roma in 2023/24 and was then sold to Napoli in a deal worth an initial £25.2million.
5. Jack Grealish – £100m
Year: 2021
From: Aston Villa
To: Manchester City
While Aston Villa hoped that a £100million release clause in Grealish’s contract would be enough to fend off any suitors, Manchester City triggered it in the summer of 2021.
He initially struggled to adjust to the tactical demands of Pep Guardiola and played a bit-part role in his debut season at the Etihad.
The England international looked to have turned things around after helping City win the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League in 2022/23.
But he has fallen by the wayside in the following two seasons and sources have told TEAMtalk that City are open to selling the 29-year-old for £50million this summer.
Jack Grealish, Man City
Man City winger Jack Grealish has been tipped to leave
4. Declan Rice – £105m
Year: 2023
From: West Ham
To: Arsenal
Rice led West Ham United to Europa Conference League glory in 2022/23 before expressing his desire to play in the Champions League.
Manchester City were only willing to spend £90million on the midfielder but Arsenal agreed to meet West Ham’s asking price, paying an initial £100million and £5million in add-ons.
“When the transfer was going through I was very nervous because of the price tag,” he said. “It’s natural to think about that. You’re a human being bought for £105m, it doesn’t feel very normal!
“But that was because of what I’d done at West Ham, what they valued me at. When I signed for Arsenal I just thought, ‘I just need to be Declan Rice’, be myself, don’t be any different, everything will go smoothly.”
The England international has gone from strength to strength at the Emirates and won the Arsenal Player of the Year award in 2024/25.
3. Enzo Fernandez – £106.8m
Year: 2023
From: Benfica
To: Chelsea
Fernandez shot to prominence at the 2022 World Cup, helping Argentina lift the trophy for a third time while also winning the Young Player of the Tournament award.
His performances attracted interest from a host of top European clubs and Chelsea activated the £106.8million release clause in his Benfica contract in January 2023.
The midfielder initially struggled with the pace and physicality of the Premier League and also played through much of the 2023/24 season with a sports hernia.
He improved under Enzo Maresca in 2024/25, helping the Blues secure a top-four finish in the Premier League before scoring in the UEFA Conference League final win over Real Betis.
Unreal Cole Palmer assist for Enzo Fernández 🥵#UECLfinal | @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/QtYhGEv25u
— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) May 29, 2025
2. Moises Caicedo – £115m
Year: 2023
From: Brighton
To: Chelsea
Chelsea fought off competition from Liverpool to sign Caicedo in a deal worth an initial £100million and another £15million in potential bonuses.
He endured a slow start to life at Stamford Bridge but rediscovered his best form in 2024/25, winning their Player of the Season award and the Players’ Player of the Season Award.
“The beginning was tough for me, because you are at a big club, the price, you always have to win every game,” Caicedo said.
“It was tough for me because when I was in Brighton, the pressure is less. At Chelsea, it is different. I felt a lot of pressure because, you know… the club, the history, the players who were there.
“But after the last four or five months, I felt more comfortable at the club.”
1. Florian Wirtz – £116m
Year: 2025
From: Bayer Leverkusen
To: Liverpool
Despite winning the Premier League title in his first year at Liverpool, Arne Slot refused to rest on his laurels in the summer of 2025.
Liverpool bought Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen in a £29.5million deal before returning to the Bundesliga side for Wirtz.
They broke the British transfer record to sign the Germany international, paying an initial £100million and another £16million in add-ons.
He arrives at Anfield with a reputation as one of Europe’s brightest talents, having registered 16 goals and 15 assists in his final season at Leverkusen.
READ MORE:Florian Wirtz: Four transfer records shattered by Liverpool after blockbuster transfer