World’s Most Expensive Transfers

There is no prize for guessing the most expensive transfer ever; Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2009 move from Manchester United to Madrid was at the time worth some £80-million (over R1-billion).

Second on the list is Zinedine Zidane’s move from Juventus to Real Madrid in 2001, which at the time was valued at £53-million (R689-million), but adjusted for inflation, in today’s terms would be worth £65-million (R845-million).

Barcelona were involved in the third highest transfer when Zlatan Ibrahimović moved from Italy’s Internazionale to Barcelona for £60-million (R780-million).

Kaka, Milan to Real Madrid for £57-million (R741-million) and Luís Figo, Barcelona to Real Madrid for the equivalent of £55-million (R715-million) today round out the top five.

The top transfer involving English clubs was when Liverpool persuaded Chelsea to part with £50-million (650-million) for Fernando Torres in January 2011.

The most expensive goalkeeper has been Gianluigi Buffon (Parma to Juventus for the equivalent of £47-million (R611-million) in today’s money), while the most expensive defender was Rio Ferdinand’s move from Leeds United to Manchester United for the equivalent of £35-million (R455-million).

The most expensive transfer involving a South African player is believed to be Benni McCarthy’s £6.5-million (R85-million) move between Celta Vigo and FC Porto in 2003.

WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE TRANSFERS

No. Player Transfer Value Year Inflation*
1 Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United to Real Madrid £80 2009 £81
2 Zinedine Zidane Juventus to Real Madrid £53 2001 £65
3 Zlatan Ibrahimović Internazionale to Barcelona £59 2009 £60
4 Kaká Milan to Real Madrid £56 2009 £57
5 Luís Figo Barcelona to Real Madrid £44 2000 £55
6 Fernando Torres Liverpool to Chelsea £50 2011 £50
7 Hernán Crespo Parma to Lazio £38 2000 £48
8 Gianluigi Buffon Parma to Juventus £38 2001 £47
9 Ronaldo Internazionale to Real Madrid £37.4 2002 £45
10 Christian Vieri Lazio to Internazionale £31 1999 £40
11 Radamel Falcao Porto to Atlético Madrid £40.7 2011 £40
=12 Sergio Agüero Atlético Madrid to Manchester City £38 2011 £38
=12 Rui Costa Fiorentina to Milan £30 2001 £37
14 Javier Pastore Palermo to Paris St.-Germain £36.6 2011 £37
=15 David Villa Valencia to Barcelona £35 2010 £35
=15 Juan Sebastián Verón Lazio to Manchester United £28.1 2001 £35
=15 Rio Ferdinand Leeds United to Manchester United £29.1 2002 £35
=15 Andy Carroll Newcastle United to Liverpool £35 2011 £35
=15 Cesc Fàbregas Arsenal to Barcelona £35 2011 £35
19 Andriy Shevchenko Milan to Chelsea £30.8 2006 £33
=20 Robinho Real Madrid to Manchester City £32.5 2008 £32
=20 Eden Hazard Lille OSC to Chelsea £32 2012 £32

*The inflation adjusted fee shows the value of the transfer in today’s terms.