10 Most Expensive British Signings in Football History [Ranked]

In a football world where the financial side of the game has taken center stage, the transfer windows have become crucial periods for clubs. It's their chance to bolster their squads with millions—often, many millions.

These days, bargains are becoming increasingly rare, and top players are quickly snapped up at a premium. This is especially true for British talent, whose services are highly sought after across the globe.

While only a few clubs have the financial muscle to meet both the seller's asking price and the player's wage demands, some are more than willing to open their wallets to secure top talent. In this article, Betimate ranks the 10 most expensive British signings in football history.

10. Raheem Sterling — £52.8m

Liverpool to Manchester City (2015)

• Nationality: England
• Man City appearances: 339
• Goals (Assists): 131 (73)

It’s easy to forget, but Raheem Sterling’s move from Liverpool to Manchester City was far from straightforward. A three-way battle for control—between the club, the player, and his agent—allowed City’s management to capitalize on the situation and lure the England winger to the Etihad Stadium.

However, this didn’t come cheap. Far from it. In fact, Sterling’s transfer made him the most expensive English player of all time, surpassing Andy Carroll. It was a significant investment, but one that Sterling’s performances for City ultimately justified.

9. Mason Mount — £53.2m

Chelsea to Manchester United (2023)

• Nationality: England
• Man Utd appearances: 32
• Goal (Assist): 1 (1)

Regardless of a player’s pedigree, when a club invests over £53.2 million in a transfer, the expectations are always high. In Mason Mount’s case, he has yet to fully meet those expectations. A Champions League winner with Chelsea in 2021, the attacking midfielder is widely regarded as a talented player.

However, the reality on the pitch has been quite different. With just 32 appearances for Manchester United (14 starts), Mount’s impact has been limited. Injuries since his arrival at Old Trafford in 2023 have certainly not helped his cause. Hopefully, he can overcome these setbacks and show his true potential.

8. Dominic Solanke — £53.3m

AFC Bournemouth to Tottenham Hotspur (2024)

• Nationality: England
• Tottenham Hotspur appearances: 26
• Goals (Assists): 11 (5)

Dominic Solanke has always been seen as a genuine talent, with notable stints at prestigious clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool. However, for various reasons, these clubs never gave him the platform to truly showcase his abilities.

It wasn’t until he joined Bournemouth—first in the Championship and then in the Premier League—that the striker truly made his mark on the European stage. His performances in a role that exceeded expectations for his position caught the attention of Tottenham, who ultimately invested a club-record £53.3 million to bring him in.

7. Jadon Sancho — £70.5m

Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United (2021)

• Nationality: England
• Man Utd appearances: 83
• Goals (Assists): 12 (6)

As everyone knows, quality comes with a hefty price tag. And to say Jadon Sancho possesses it in abundance is no exaggeration. His exceptional talent was exactly what led Manchester United to splash the cash in 2021, securing him from Borussia Dortmund, where he had already made a name for himself in the Bundesliga. Unfortunately for Sancho, his time at Old Trafford has told a very different story.

After an underwhelming first season (five goals, three assists), his falling out with manager Erik ten Hag ultimately marked the end of what many had hoped would be a successful partnership. Given his performances for Chelsea, whom he joined on loan in the summer of 2024 with an option for a permanent transfer, Manchester United fans have every reason to feel frustrated by how things unfolded.

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6. Harry Maguire — £72.1m

Leicester City to Manchester United (2021)

• Nationality: England
• Man Utd appearances: 223
• Goals (Assists): 12 (7)

The assessment of Harry Maguire would likely be very different if Manchester United hadn’t paid such a hefty sum to bring him in. Since his arrival at Old Trafford from Leicester City, the English defender has faced more than his fair share of challenging moments.

However, he has never backed down. Despite being mocked and ridiculed by many, Maguire has displayed the resilience needed to eventually earn respect. He stands as a prime example of a player who was placed under immense pressure, given the circumstances surrounding Manchester United’s situation both then and now.

5. Harry Kane — £78.8m

Tottenham Hotspur to Bayern Munich (2023)

• Nationality: England
• Bayern Munich appearances: 65
• Goals (Assists): 64 (21)

Finding a successor to Robert Lewandowski, who departed for Barcelona in 2022, has proven challenging for Bayern Munich. So when the chance to sign Harry Kane, Tottenham's all-time top scorer, came up, the club wasted no time in pulling out all the stops to persuade the England international to join the Bavarians. Not even Spurs' asking price for their star player could stand in their way.

Kane’s performances have more than justified the decision. While Bayern came close to winning a title, the striker met all expectations, breaking numerous records and establishing himself as one of the league’s best players. He now aims to honor that status by securing the first major trophy of his career.

4. Gareth Bale — £83.8m

Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid (2013)

• Nationality: Wales
• Real Madrid appearances: 258
• Goals (Assists): 106 (67)

If you assumed this ranking only included English players, Gareth Bale is here to prove you wrong. When he joined Real Madrid in 2013, the Welshman not only became the most expensive British player in history but also set a record as the player with the highest transfer fee of all time—becoming the first to be bought for over €100 million (£83.8 million).

Bale's performances and accomplishments, including five Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, and three Club World Cups, have more than justified every penny spent by the Spanish club to secure his services.

Gareth Bale, debut season with Real Madrid:

• 44 games
• 22 goals
• 19 assists
• UEFA Champions League winner
• Copa Del Rey winner
• UEFA Champions League Final goal
• Copa Del Rey winning goal

He was special...  pic.twitter.com/2YnXFQsoWA

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) December 2, 2024

3. Jude Bellingham — £93.7m

Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid (2023)

• Nationality: England
• Real Madrid appearances: 65
• Goals (Assists): 31 (20)

Borussia Dortmund has certainly established itself as a club that nurtures English talent, and Jude Bellingham is another testament to that. After making a name for himself in the Bundesliga, the young midfielder moved to Real Madrid in the summer of 2023.

It was a monumental transfer—Dortmund’s second most expensive in history—which Bellingham has already lived up to. After winning the La Liga Player of the Year award in his first season in Spain, the Stourbridge native played a pivotal role in Madrid’s success, helping them secure five league titles over the past year.

2. Declan Rice — £96.7m

West Ham United to Arsenal (2023)

• Nationality: England
• Arsenal appearances: 75
• Goals (Assists): 9 (15)

Although Declan Rice had already demonstrated his abilities before his move to Arsenal, he has seized the opportunity to cement his status as one of the best midfielders in Europe. His debut season in north London has been nothing short of exemplary, earning him widespread acclaim for his performances.

This wasn’t always the consensus among Arsenal fans when he first arrived from West Ham, with many feeling the price paid for the Englishman was too steep. However, as is often the case in football, opinions quickly shifted. In the end, the only thing that matters is what happens on the pitch.

1. Jack Grealish — £97.5m

Aston Villa to Manchester City (2021)

• Nationality: England
• Man City appearances: 144
• Goals (Assists): 14 (20)

The story of Jack Grealish is a complex one, to say the least. Once seen as an unbalanced winger during his time at Aston Villa, the English forward has transformed his game to fit in with his teammates at Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. However, it would be an understatement to say that this reshaping has yet to fully pay off.

While Grealish played a key role in City’s historic 2023 season, contributing five goals and 11 assists in 50 appearances, the overall feeling is one of frustration, rather than disappointment, when reflecting on his performances. His recent form—zero goals in 45 appearances in 2024—certainly hasn’t helped his cause.