The top 10 most expensive January transfers ever - Van Dijk third and Fernandes seventh
The January transfer window has been open for over a week but it’s been relatively quiet in terms of big permanent deals. Clubs across the market are actively trying to improve their squads with new arrivals but it’s notoriously difficult to seal major deals in January compared to the summer market. Ivan Toney’s return from an eight-month ban is pending and the Brentford striker has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal despite Mikel Arteta downplaying reports that he could add a new striker this month. FFP restrictions are limiting several English Premier League clubs’ ability to spend in January and they will need to offload players before reinvesting. Manchester United are scouring the market for a new striker but a loan deal is more realistic, while Chelsea and Liverpool are unlikely to make major additions. Everton’s Amadou Onana is on the radar of top English clubs with a move to Arsenal most feasible and it would require a substantial fee to prise the Belgian away from Goodison Park. We’ve analysed the top ten highest transfer fees paid by clubs in the January with English clubs dominating the list.
Top 10 most expensive January transfers in history
Philippe Coutinho moved from Liverpool to Barcelona for €130m in January 2018 and it remains the January transfer record. After Neymar joined PSG in the previous summer, Barcelona had money to spend on a replacement but Coutinho’s move never worked out. The Brazilian scored 25 goals and provided 14 assists in 106 appearances for the Spanish giants before departing permanently for €20m to Aston Villa in 2022.
Enzo Fernandez completed his €121m move to Chelsea from Benfica last January after winning the World Cup with Argentina. It was a British record transfer fee at the time before Chelsea eclipsed it with the addition of Moises Caicedo this summer. While Fernandez has failed to reach the levels expected of him, the 22-year-old is clearly an immense talent and his current market value is €80m.
Van Dijk has been the most successful January signing of any player on this list. The Dutch international moved from Southampton to Liverpool for €85m during the same window that Coutinho departed for Barcelona. Van Dijk was instrumental as Liverpool won their first Premier League title in 30 years and the Champions League. Now 32, the €32m valued star has excelled for Liverpool this season with Jurgen Klopp’s side currently topping the table.
Dusan Vlahovic was regarded as one of the best young strikers in Europe when he moved from Fiorentina to Juventus in January 2022 for €84m. Vlahovic has scored 30 games in 81 games for the Turin side but more will be expected of the Serbian striker as Juve aim to return to their former glories under Massimiliano Allegri.
Mykhaylo Mudryk appeared destined to join Arsenal last January before Chelsea swooped in to seal a €70m deal with Shakhtar Donetsk. The Ukrainian international endured a difficult first six months in London as he failed to score a single goal for Chelsea in 17 games during 2022/23. Mudryk has shown glimpses of his promise this season but his market value has dropped to €40m, which reflects his disappointing form.
Aymeric Laporte joined Manchester City from Athletic Bilbao for €65m in January 2018 and he proceeded to win every major trophy during a period of dominance for Pep Guardiola’s men. Laporte played a key role as City won five Premier League titles but he departed last summer to join Al-Nassr after City finally achieved Champions League glory.
Bruno Fernandes joined Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon for €65m and he’s arguably been their most successful signing since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Fernandes’ attacking numbers are superb for an attacking midfielder with 70 goals and 59 assists across 212 appearances. The Portuguese international is the only player on this top ten list with a market value that is currently higher than his transfer fee.
Christian Pulisic arrived at Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund for €64m in January 2019 amid high expectations after impressing in Germany. Pulisic flattered to deceive in England, scoring 26 goals and providing 21 assists across 145 appearances for Chelsea. The USA international joined AC Milan in a permanent deal last summer and he’s revived his career in Italy.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang moved to Arsenal from Dortmund for €64m in 2018 and he proceeded to score an impressive 92 goals in 163 games. Aubameyang was amongst the most lethal strikers in the league during his time in England and he was handed the Arsenal captaincy before falling out with Mikel Arteta and joining Barcelona on a free in 2022.
Diego Costa was a revelation at Chelsea but he returned to Atletico Madrid for €60m in 2018. Costa scored 59 goals in 120 games for Chelsea as he helped them win two Premier League titles before falling out with Antonio Conte.
The top 20 most expensive January transfers in history
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jun 12, 1992 (31)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Al-Duhail SC
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2024
- Position:
- Attacking Midfield
- Market Value:
- €9.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jan 17, 2001 (23)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Chelsea FC
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2031
- Position:
- Central Midfield
- Market Value:
- €80.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jul 8, 1991 (32)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Liverpool FC
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2025
- Position:
- Centre-Back
- Market Value:
- €32.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jan 28, 2000 (24)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Juventus FC
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2026
- Position:
- Centre-Forward
- Market Value:
- €65.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jan 5, 2001 (23)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Chelsea FC
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2031
- Position:
- Left Winger
- Market Value:
- €35.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- May 27, 1994 (29)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Al-Nassr FC
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2026
- Position:
- Centre-Back
- Market Value:
- €25.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Sep 8, 1994 (29)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Manchester United
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2026
- Position:
- Attacking Midfield
- Market Value:
- €70.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Jun 18, 1989 (34)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Olympique Marseille
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2026
- Position:
- Centre-Forward
- Market Value:
- €4.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Oct 7, 1988 (35)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense
- Contract until:
- Dec 31, 2024
- Position:
- Centre-Forward
- Market Value:
- €1.60m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Mar 16, 1996 (28)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Brentford FC
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2025
- Position:
- Centre-Forward
- Market Value:
- €50.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Aug 16, 2001 (22)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Everton FC
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2027
- Position:
- Defensive Midfield
- Market Value:
- €50.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Feb 5, 1992 (32)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Al-Hilal SFC
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2025
- Position:
- Left Winger
- Market Value:
- €45.00m
- Date of birth/Age:
- Nov 2, 2001 (22)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Chelsea FC
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2031
- Position:
- Defensive Midfield
- Market Value:
- €80.00m
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 16.06.1967 (56)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Liverpool FC
- Current Position:
- Manager
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2026
- In charge since:
- Oct 8, 2015
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 26.03.1982 (42)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Arsenal FC
- Current Position:
- Manager
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2025
- In charge since:
- Dec 22, 2019
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 31.12.1941 (82)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Manchester United
- Current Position:
- Board Member
- In charge since:
- Jul 1, 2013
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 18.01.1971 (53)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Manchester City
- Current Position:
- Manager
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2025
- In charge since:
- Jul 1, 2016
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 11.08.1967 (56)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Juventus FC
- Current Position:
- Manager
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2025
- In charge since:
- May 28, 2021
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 31.07.1969 (54)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Without Club
- Current Position:
- Manager
- Total Market Value:
- €921.40m
- Competition:
- Premier League
- Position:
- 3.
- Manager:
- Jürgen Klopp
- Squad size:
- 28
- Latest Transfer:
- Ryan Gravenberch
- Total Market Value:
- €928.30m
- Competition:
- Premier League
- Position:
- 9.
- Manager:
- Mauricio Pochettino
- Squad size:
- 30
- Latest Transfer:
- Alfie Gilchrist
- Total Market Value:
- €1.12bn
- Competition:
- Premier League
- Position:
- 1.
- Manager:
- Mikel Arteta
- Squad size:
- 25
- Latest Transfer:
- David Raya
- Total Market Value:
- €734.25m
- Competition:
- Premier League
- Position:
- 6.
- Manager:
- Erik ten Hag
- Squad size:
- 27
- Latest Transfer:
- Willy Kambwala
- Total Market Value:
- €426.08m
- Competition:
- Premier League
- Position:
- 16.
- Manager:
- Thomas Frank
- Squad size:
- 30
- Latest Transfer:
- Hákon Rafn Valdimarsson
- Total Market Value:
- €345.40m
- Competition:
- Premier League
- Position:
- 15.
- Manager:
- Sean Dyche
- Squad size:
- 25
- Latest Transfer:
- Beto
- Total Market Value:
- €646.20m
- Competition:
- Premier League
- Position:
- 4.
- Manager:
- Unai Emery
- Squad size:
- 27
- Latest Transfer:
- Joe Gauci
- Total Market Value:
- €360.75m
- Competition:
- Liga Portugal
- Position:
- 2.
- Manager:
- Roger Schmidt
- Squad size:
- 24
- Latest Transfer:
- Gianluca Prestianni
- Total Market Value:
- €189.90m
- Competition:
- Championship
- Position:
- 4.
- Manager:
- Russell Martin
- Squad size:
- 25
- Latest Transfer:
- David Brooks
- Total Market Value:
- €248.40m
- Competition:
- Serie A
- Position:
- 9.
- Manager:
- Vincenzo Italiano
- Squad size:
- 28
- Latest Transfer:
- Andrea Belotti
- Total Market Value:
- €136.50m
- Competition:
- Premier Liga
- Position:
- 1.
- Manager:
- Marino Pusic
- Squad size:
- 32
- Latest Transfer:
- Luka Latsabidze
- Total Market Value:
- €144.03m
- Competition:
- Saudi Pro League
- Position:
- 2.
- Manager:
- Luís Castro
- Squad size:
- 30
- Latest Transfer:
- Mohammed Al-Otaibi
- Total Market Value:
- €417.80m
- Competition:
- LaLiga
- Position:
- 4.
- Manager:
- Diego Simeone
- Squad size:
- 25
- Latest Transfer:
- Gabriel Paulista
- Total Market Value:
- €261.60m
- Competition:
- LaLiga
- Position:
- 5.
- Manager:
- Ernesto Valverde
- Squad size:
- 25
- Latest Transfer:
- Javier Martón
- Total Market Value:
- €533.45m
- Competition:
- Serie A
- Position:
- 2.
- Manager:
- Stefano Pioli
- Squad size:
- 26
- Latest Transfer:
- Filippo Terracciano
- Total Market Value:
- €463.70m
- Competition:
- Bundesliga
- Position:
- 5.
- Manager:
- Edin Terzic
- Squad size:
- 28
- Latest Transfer:
- Ian Maatsen
- Total Market Value:
- €490.20m
- Competition:
- Serie A
- Position:
- 3.
- Manager:
- Massimiliano Allegri
- Squad size:
- 27
- Latest Transfer:
- Carlos Alcaraz
