Introduction
Hello readers! Welcome back to another edition of your favorite all-encompassing EPL-related passion blog. Today, we will discuss the most expensive signings in league history.
First, I want to provide some context. Unlike in American sports, there is no salary cap in European soccer. However, there are Financial Fair Play regulations that prevent a club from having massive spending deficits over a few year span.
Also, the traditional “Top 6” clubs (Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspurs, Liverpool, and Arsenal) are usually the biggest spenders in the transfer market since they have some of the wealthiest owners in the league. So you will see these clubs dominating this list…
The List
Most Expensive Goalkeeper
In 2018, Chelsea purchased Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for a club record $88 million. Not only is Kepa the most expensive signing in Chelsea’s history, he is also the most expensive goalkeeper in EPL transfer history!
Has he lived up to his transfer fee though? Not quite. In his second full season with the club, Kepa had a league low save percentage (ratio of saves to goals scored) of 54.5%. Also, Kepa got into an infamous spat with his manager at the time when he refused to be substituted off before a penalty shootout in the Carabao Cup Final. Disappointing record signing for Chelsea to say the least.
Most Expensive Defender:
Coming in at a record transfer fee of $95.7 million is Manchester United centerback Harry Maguire. He is the second most expensive signing overall in EPL history.
Affectionately referred to by United fans as “Slab Head”, Maguire has shored up the team’s backline. In 21 out of 47 games (in all competitions) played by United in the 2019-2020 season, they kept a clean sheet (didn’t concede 1 or more goals). 21 clean sheets was the league-high for the 20 EPL clubs that season, and Maguire featured in 18 of those 21 games. Talk about an instant impact!
Most Expensive Midfielder
Another Manchester United player makes this list in Paul Pogba. He is the most expensive midfielder and most expensive signing in EPL history at a whopping $115.5 million.
But has he produced on the pitch? In 130 EPL games played for Manchester United, he has scored 28 goals and provided 28 assists to his teammates. Pogba has also struggled with niggling hamstring, ankle, and thigh injuries throughout his United career. But Pogba is more than just a direct goal contributor. He dictates United’s midfield as a box-to-box player and can make slide tackles when necessary. However, for a transfer fee of over $100 million, United fans should expect more goals and assists from him.
Most Expensive Forward
At $93.17 million, Romelu Lukaku’s transfer fee makes him the most expensive forward (goalscorer) in EPL history. He is another United record signing. Starting to see a pattern?
Lukaku failed to live up to his value though. Playing only 2 seasons for the club, Lukaku scored 16 goals in his debut season and a paltry 12 goals in his second. So much for improvement. Due to Lukaku’s lack of profligacy in front of goal, he was sold to Inter Milan before the 2019-2020 for $81.4 million. Entering as a record signing, Lukaku left as a mediocre forward sold for a loss.
Conclusion
While it seems that Manchester United dominate the record transfer signing list (albeit with mixed results), I highly recommend you take a look at the full list (linked below). It gives a more extended and succinct version of this blog post. The big takeaway is that the EPL Top 6 clubs have too much money to spend. After reading this blog post, do you think there should there be a salary cap in the EPL?
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