Even if there are still several weeks left before the end of this summer transfer window, it will undoubtedly be a milestone in the modern history of world professional football, as it has already made it possible to take an unprecedented turn, which we could even call it revolutionary, thanks to the rise of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Pro League. If European clubs were accustomed to positioning themselves on the best players on the planet until now, they will now have to deal with the Saudi formations which have dynamited the transfer market this summer.
For several seasons now, the Premier League and Serie A but also La Liga have had the habit of rounding up the best players on the planet. It is therefore not so surprising to find players who have evolved in the English, Italian and Spanish championships at the top of the ranking of the most expensive footballers in history. But the first is none other than the Brazilian Neymar. The former Paris Saint-Germain player regains his throne thanks to his transfer to Al-Hilal with approximately 400 million euros in cumulative transfers (88M€ from Santos to Barcelona then 222M€ to PSG and finally 90M€ during his departure to Saudi Arabia).
Ousmane Dembélé at the foot of the podium
Behind the Brazilian, there are two players accustomed to sensational transfers like Romelu Lukaku. The powerful Belgian striker has been at the heart of many moves since the start of his career and he now has just under €334m in cumulative transfers between his departure from Anderlecht and his return to Chelsea this summer. Nevertheless, he could regain first place in this ranking if a new start for the Blues is confirmed this summer. Behind the powerful Belgian striker, we find the indestructible Cristiano Ronaldo who has reached a total of 247M€ since leaving Sporting for Manchester United and until his arrival at Al-Nassr.
After this prestigious podium, we find the new recruit of PSG Ousmane Dembélé who finished at the foot of the podium with 220M€ in cumulative transfers thanks in particular to his movement between Borussia Dortmund and FC Barcelona in 2017 for 135M€. Alvaro Morata follows with just under €190m after his numerous club changes while Philippe Coutinho (just over €180m) is ahead of two Frenchmen, Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann, who share the same sum but without the same number of transfers (€180 million). Finally, Angel Di Maria (€179m) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (just under €170m) bring up the rear.
