Most expensive footballers in the world in each position
Expensive signings used to be a rarity back in the day. It is very commonplace now and over the course of the last decade, we've seen several transfer records being broken. Clubs haven't shied away from breaking the bank or breaking their own transfer records to bolster their squads.
A transfer fee above €100 million was unthinkable about 10 years ago. But we've seen a dozen transfers that have cost in excess of €100 million inside the last five years. Goalkeepers and defenders used to cost way less than forwards and midfielders in the past. But the gap is reducing drastically now.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the most expensive footballers in each position.
Goalkeeper - Kepa Arrizabalaga | Chelsea | €80 million
Chelsea signed Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao in 2018. They were looking for Thibaut Courtois' successor and shelled out €80 million for the Spaniard who had made a name for himself in La Liga.
However, the transfer is widely regarded as ill-advised. Kepa has not hit the heights expected of him at Chelsea and proved to be a liability in his first two seasons at the club. He was eventually replaced as the club's first-choice goalkeeper by Edouard Mendy.
Kepa has been a lot more mature and efficient in recent times but he is currently playing second-fiddle to the Senegalese international. The 27-year-old has started just four Premier League games this season.
Kepa Arrizabalaga believes he should face Liverpool on Sunday to make up for the heartbreak of being ditched for the Club World Cup final.
Chelsea’s Spanish keeper feels boss Thomas Tuchel owes him an appearance in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday as a consolation. https://t.co/vTLzz8qMUr
Defender - Harry Maguire | Manchester United | €87 million
Manchester United were in desperate need of shoring up their defence in the summer of 2019. They were extensively linked with Harry Maguire, who had impressed at the back for Leicester City. The Foxes were ready to play hardball and named a steep price for their defender.
Manchester United, tactless in their transfer dealings at the time, decided to meet Leicester City's demands and roped Maguire in for a whopping €87 million. He was immediately made the captain of the club.
While the Englishman has his qualities and was thoroughly impressive in the 2020-21 season for the Red Devils and the Three Lions, the price tag cannot be justified.
Maguire's form has dipped considerably this season and the amount that United had to pay to secure his services is constantly brought up in discussions. The 28-year-old's transfer epitomizes the inflation in the Premier League transfer market where even above average players cost a fortune.
Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor believes Manchester United defender Harry Maguire should learn from Chelsea's Thiago Silva on how to not get 'paced'. dlvr.it/SKc49c