Signing defenders for big money has become more common in recent years. Because now they are expected to do more than just defend the goal. Now let’s look at the Top 10 most expensive defenders of all time. And how they achieved success following their big-money move. Below is our BWINPH article.
List of Top 10 Most Expensive Defenders of All Time
Achraf Hakimi – 60.9 million pounds
On the first list of the top 10 most expensive defenders of all time is Achraf Hakimi. The Morocco international is priced at Parc des Princes and is considered by many to be one of the best right-backs in the world.
He has recently been linked to Real. Madrid and Manchester City, but PSG is looking to extend his contract. will expire in 2026
Marc Cucurella – 63 million pounds
Cucurella has enjoyed a fantastic season with Brighton in the 2021/22 season and his impressive performances have attracted interest from Chelsea and Manchester City. Meanwhile, Man City is willing to pay 40 million pounds for this left-back. But Chelsea outbid them by giving the Seagulls an initial sum of £56 million and an additional £7 million in add-ons.
But he failed to meet expectations at Stamford Bridge and is currently behind Ben Chilwell and Levi Colville in terms of rankings. TEAMtalk understands that Chelsea wants to sell the Spanish international in the summer. But They will struggle to recoup half of what they paid him in 2022.
Ruben Dias – 65 million pounds
One of two Manchester City defenders on this list Dias joined Pep Guardiola’s squad from Benfica in the summer of 2020. The deal for the Portuguese international is worth an initial £62m, plus an additional 3m table subject to potential additional provisions.
He made an immediate impact at the Etihad Stadium, winning the Premier League Player of the Season award. and the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Player of the Year award for the 2020/21 season. And deserves to be ranked 8th in the top 10 most expensive defenders of all time.
Lucas Hernandez – 68 million pounds
Bayern Munich signed Hernandez in 2019 after activating a £68m release clause in his Atletico Madrid contract. He had four trophy-filled seasons in Bavaria. Won four Bundesliga titles, two DFL-Super Cups, DFB-Pokal, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup. and the FIFA Club World Cup
But the French international can play as a left-back or center-back. Had injury problems and only played 74 Bundesliga matches for the club. He was sold at a big loss in the summer of 2023, when he joined Paris. Saint-Germain for an initial fee of 34 million pounds.
Matthijs de Ligt – 68 million pounds
Even though he is only 24 years old, De Ligt has already participated in two large-money transfers. His latest move sees him swap Juventus for Bayern Munich in 2022 after the Bundesliga side agreed an initial payment of £59.5m and a further £8.5m for add-ons.
The centre-back won the DFL-Super Cup. and Bundesliga season 2022/23, and was also named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season. He lost his place in the starting lineup following the arrival of Kim Min-jae in the summer of 2023 but has now regained his place in Thomas Tuchel’s starting lineup.
Wesley Fofana – 75 million pounds
Fofana spent two seasons at Leicester City and established himself as one of the best young defenders in the Premier League. The Foxes rejected three offers from Chelsea in the summer of 2022 before accepting a fourth offer of £70m upfront and an additional £5m in bonuses.
But injuries plagued him in his first two years at Stamford Bridge, leaving the 23-year-old with only 20 appearances for Chelsea.
Virgil van Dijk – 75 million pounds
Eyebrows were raised in January 2018 when Liverpool bought Van. Dijk left Southampton with a contract worth £75 million, a world record fee at the time for a defender.
But this midfielder has proven his worth even more. He helped Liverpool win the Premier League, two Carabao Cups, the FA Cup, the Champions League, a UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA World Club Cup.
Matthijs de Ligt – £77.1 million
The aforementioned De Ligt has become one of the most sought-after players in the world after leading Ajax to the semi-finals of the Champions League and winning the Eredivisie in the 2018/19 season.
Juventus have shelled out an initial sum of £67.7m and possible add-ons of another £9.4m for the 19-year-old, making him the third most expensive teenager of all time .
He won the Serie A championship. Well, in his first season and the Coppa. Italy in the 2020/21 season but cannot reproduce the performance of Ajax in the Juventus shirt.
Josco Guardiola – 77.6 million pounds
After winning the treble in the 2022/23 season, Manchester City strengthened their defensive options by signing Guardiola from RB. Leipzig for a fee of 77.6 million pounds.
The Croatian international can play as both centre-back and left-back. It’s a great opportunity. But has struggled to adapt to the pace of Premier League football. and still cannot demonstrate great value.
Harry Maguire – 80 million pounds
After missing de Ligt leaving in the summer of 2019, Manchester United turned their attention to Maguire. and agreed to Leicester City’s price of £80 million.
The centre-back got off to a strong start at Old Trafford and was given the captaincy in January 2020, but his form has dipped amid United’s struggles this season.
Conclude
Above is a list of the top 10 most expensive defenders of all time. That our 24h sports has collected information based on what is most accurate. Who do you think is the best player? Please leave us a comment below the article.
