Three Chelsea deals in top 10
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The January transfer window is now open. 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. Financial Fair Play (FFP) and the Premier League’s profit and sustainability restrictions are limiting several Premier League clubs’ ability to spend in January and many will need to offload players before reinvesting. Manchester United are reportedly scouring the market for a new striker but a loan deal is more realistic, while Arsenal are widely expected to add a new forward player to their front-line. We’ve analysed the top ten highest transfer fees paid by clubs in the January transfer window in the history of the game, with English clubs dominating the list.
Top 10 most expensive January transfers in history
Philippe Coutinho moved from Liverpool to Barcelona for €135m 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 quite 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 in January 2023 after winning the World Cup with Argentina. It remains the British record transfer fee. While Fernandez has failed to reach the levels expected of him, the 23-year-old is still clearly an immense talent and his current market value is €75m.
Virgil van Dijk has probably 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 33, the €28m-valued star has excelled for Liverpool this season with Arne Slot’s side currently topping the table.
Dušan Vlahović was regarded as one of the best young strikers in Europe when he moved from Fiorentina to Juventus in January 2022 for €83.5m. Vlahovic has scored 53 goals in 123 games for the Turin side, but more will be expected of the Serbian striker as Juve aim to return to their former glories.
Mykhaylo Mudryk appeared destined to join Arsenal in January 2023, before Chelsea swooped in to seal a €70m deal with Shakhtar Donetsk. The Ukrainian international has endured a difficult first two years in London, as he failed to score a single goal for Chelsea in 17 games during 2022/23, and has just 10 goals in 73 games for the club. Mudryk has shown glimpses of his promise, but his market value has dropped to €30m, which reflects his disappointing form.
Last January PSG made a loan move a permanent one for Portuguese striker Gonçalo Ramos, paying Benfica €65m for the forward. The 23-year-old has had a tough start to life in Paris, severely interrupted by injury. He has scored just 18 goals in 48 matches, and his market value now stands at €50m.
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 in the summer of 2023 to join Al-Nassr, after City finally achieved Champions League glory.
Bruno Fernandes joined Manchester United from Sporting 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 85 goals and 76 assists across 260 appearances. The 30 year old has a current market value of €55m.
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 and has 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.
