Over the last few months, the world’s top football clubs have paid out serious cash to acquire talented new players.
More than £2 billion has been spent by Premier League and European football clubs over the course of this year’s transfer window, making it one of the most expensive years in the entire history of competitive football.
Not surprisingly, the most expensive deals tend to occur in the Premier League, where teams are willing to invest tens of millions of pounds to acquire the world’s best players. Football fans are also willing to put their money on big players via bookies and bets on top scorers.
Below, we’ve listed this year’s 10 biggest football transfers and acquisitions, ranging from £36 million deals to a record-setting £75 million transfer.
Corentin Tolisso: £36 million
French midfielder Corentin Tolisso attracted plenty of attention when he was acquired by Bayern Munich this year in a £36 million deal, which will see him play for the Bundesliga team for a total of five years.
Mohamed Salah: £37 million
After moving to Roma in August 2016, Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah was acquired in a £37 million deal that saw him move to Liverpool. The transfer is one of the most costly in Liverpool’s history, topping the £35 million paid to acquire Andy Carroll in 2011.
Vinicius Junior: £38 million
Brazilian teen football star Vinicius Junior signed a £38 million deal with Real Madrid this year that will start shortly after his 18th birthday. Currently 17, Vinicius is expected to start playing in the middle of 2018 for the 2018–19 competitive season.
Tiemoue Bakayoko: £40 million
French defensive midfielder Tiémoué Bakayoko is one of the game’s best all-rounders at the moment, making him a valuable acquisition for any team. Bakayoko was signed by Chelsea earlier this year in a £40 million acquisition deal.
Bernardo Silva: £43 million
Another midfielder, Bernardo Silva was signed by Manchester City this year in a deal worth as much as £43 million. Prior to Man City, Silva played for Benfica as a youth in Portugal, followed by three seasons with Monaco.
Alexandre Lacazette: £46.5 million
Alexandre Lacazette has been a highly valued player for years, standing out as a youth player for France and a striker at Lyon. Lacazette was signed by Arsenal this season in a deal worth £46.5 million.
Kyle Walker: £50 million
Best known for his eight years with Tottenham Hotspur, Kyle Walker switched to Manchester City this year in a deal worth as much as £50 million over the long term, making him one of the Premier League’s best-paid defenders.
Benjamin Mendy: £52 million
Another expensive acquisition, left back Benjamin Mendy split with Monaco this year as part of a £52 million deal with Manchester City. Prior to playing for Man City, Mendy spent three years as a defender for Marseille before spending 2016 and early 2017 playing for Monaco.
Alvaro Morata: £60 million
Spanish striker Alvaro Morata was one of this season’s most expensive acquisitions, moving to Chelsea from Real Madrid in a £60 million deal. The deal seems to have paid off; Morato scored a hat-trick against Stoke City earlier this year.
Romelu Lukaku: £75 million
The most expensive acquisition of the season was Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, who joined Manchester United as part of a five-year deal worth £75 million. Prior to playing for Manchester United, Lukaku spent four seasons with Everton.
