Football's Mercenaries
The Footballers with the Highest Total Career Transfer Fees
In the high-stakes world of professional soccer, where talent commands astronomical sums, a player's journey across clubs can amass astronomical amounts of transfer fees.
From blockbuster moves that shatter records to strategic transfers that reshape careers, the cumulative costs of a player tells a story of demand, hype and frantic spending.
In spirit of the summer transfer window opening up, here are the players with the most transfer fees accumulated throughout their careers:
No. 5 - Alvaro Morata
Up first is a player who may be on the move yet again. Spainâs captain Ălvaro Morata has costed clubs âŹ208 million over the span of his career.
Morataâs first move was to Italian giants Juventus for âŹ20 million in the summer of 2014 from Real Madrid. He spent two season with the Bianconeri scoring 27 goals while earning 18 assists in 93 appearances.
The two great seasons for the Old Lady led to Real Madrid activating the buy back clause bringing him back to the Spanish capital. One year later, Chelsea bought Morata for âŹ66 million, the highest fee the striker was purchased for in his career.
Recently, reports have indicated that the 32 year old is interested in Comoâs project. He is currently under contract with AC Milan but is on loan to Turkish side Galatasaray.
The deal would have Morataâs current loan cancelled with Como loaning him in for one season.
No. 4 - Ousmane Dembélé
Ballon dâOr favorite Ousmane DembĂ©lĂ© has costed clubs âŹ220 million for his services.
He started at Stade Rennais FC as a two-footed wonderkid. In the summer of 2016, Borussia Dortmund signed DembĂ©lĂ© after his 17 goal contributions in Ligue 1 the season prior for âŹ35 million.
The Frenchman went on to score 10 goals and assist 20 times winning his first trophy as a professional, the DFB-Pokal.
Then, FC Barcelona came knocking for DembĂ©lĂ©. He was so set on the move that he became unsettled when Dortmund rejected the original bid. He missed training to force the clubâs hand which eventually led to his sale for âŹ135 million.
The astronomical figure is currently tied for the third most expensive transfer of all time.
Now, DembĂ©lĂ© is enjoying life in the French capital. He is one of the favorites for the Ballon dâOr after winning the quadruple with PSG this season.
No. 3 - Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has accumulated a total of âŹ247 million in transfer fees throughout his illustrious career.
Mr. Champions Leagueâs first move was to Manchester United for âŹ19 million back in 2003 when he was just 18 years old.
Ronaldo then went to Real Madrid in 2009 for âŹ94 million, which was the most expensive transfer in the history of football at that time. Four Champions Leagues, four Ballon dâOrs, two Spanish Titles, two Spanish cups and nine years later, Portugalâs all time best player went to Juventus for âŹ117 million.
Now, Ronaldo, 40, has won nearly everything there is to play for at the club level. Heâs recently signed a two-year extension at Al-Nassr as he prepares to play his final World Cup.
No. 2 - Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku has been a part of three transfers worth more than âŹ70 million!
Belgiumâs No. 9 started at RSC Anderlecht. He made his move to the Premier League at 18 when Chelsea purchased him for âŹ15 million. He then went on loan to West Brom and Everton.
The Toffees made the loan permanent spending just over âŹ35 million. Then, his three big money moves followed.
First was Manchester United in 2017. The Red Devils spent just under âŹ85 million. Then came Inter Milan. United lost money as the Nerazzurri spent âŹ74 million in 2019.
Two years later, Lukakuâs dream club Chelsea came back knocking on the door for his services. Although his return to London didnât go as planned, going back to The Blues was the most expensive transfer of his career at âŹ113 million.
No. 1 - Neymar Jr.
The most expensive transfer of all time belongs to Neymar Jr. when PSG triggered his âŹ222 million release clause back in 2017.
He originally made his move to Europe when FC Barcelona signed him for âŹ88 million.
Later, PSG signed him in the hopes that he can lead the club to its first ever Champions League.
Although that didnât happen, Neymar still had a great time in Paris scoring 118 goals and assisting 79 times in 173 appearances. He won five league titles, four French super cups, three French cups and two league cups.
Saudi came knocking for the special Brazilian in 2023. Since then, Neymar has dealt with injury problems. This lead to him signing for his boyhood club Santos on a free transfer this past summer.
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Great report.
Very few players have any loyalty to a team. There is just too much money out there. The owners make lots of money so why would the top players pass it up.
It does make the game less attractive with the top team warehousing so many of the best people.