With football clubs spending hundreds of millions to land the game’s elite, KickOff turns the spotlight on the most significant transfers involving African players.
In this article, we break down the top five most expensive African footballers of all time, analysing the record-breaking fees, headline-making deals, and the lasting impact these transfers have had on their clubs.
5. Riyad Mahrez: Leicester City - Man City (£57m)
Riyad Mahrez's £57 million (approximately R1.34 billion) transfer from Leicester to Manchester City in 2018 was one of the decade’s most talked-about deals for African footballers.
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The Algerian enjoyed a successful time with the club under Pep Guardiola, where he won at least four Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League before he left for Al Ahli in 2023.
4. Achraf Hakimi: Inter Milan - PSG (£57.2m)
In 2021, Achraf Hakimi's £57.2 million (approximately R1.38 billion) transfer from Inter Milan to Paris Saint-Germain could have seemingly been a downgrade for someone who played for Real Madrid before.
However, the Moroccan star has become one of the best stars in Africa, he recently helped the French side win the UEFA Champions League, beating the same Millan in the final.
3. Omar Marmoush: Eintracht Frankfurt - Man City (£63.1m)
Manchester City paid a record fee of £63.1 million (approximately R1.53 billion) to sign the Egyptian star from Frankfurt this January.
The 26-year-old forward, who impressed during his time with the German club by scoring 37 goals in 67 appearances, has already netted two goals in the ongoing 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
2. Victor Osimhen: LOSC Lille - SSC Napoli (£66.4m)
Paying £66.4 million (approximately R1.607 billion) for a 22-year-old striker in 2020 was far from a mistake for Napoli. The Nigerian international proved to be a key figure as he led the team to the Italian Serie A title in the 2022/23 season.
The towering forward scored 26 goals that season, earning the Golden Boot. However, tensions with the club's management eventually led to his loan move to Turkish side Galatasaray last year.
1. Nicolas Pepe: LOSC Lille - Arsenal (£67.3)
Nicolas Pepe’s transfer from LOSC Lille to English Premier League giants Arsenal in 2019 remains the most expensive in African football history.
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He made the move from the French side to the Gunners for a transfer fee of £67.3 million (R1.634 billion). However, the now-Villarreal CF player never quite found his footing at Arsenal, as he struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.
The statistics above are sourced from Forbes Africa, which attributes the data to Transfermarkt, a well-known platform specialising in football player valuations and transfer market analysis.
