Every transfer window, there’s a flurry of activity as players move between clubs. Many of Europe’s biggest teams are known for their big spending, often splashing out huge sums to bring in established stars.
On the other hand, some clubs take a different approach—they scout promising young players early on, help them develop their skills, and then sell them to top clubs for a significant profit. It’s a smart way to build success both on and off the pitch.
So let’s explore the top 10 most profitable football transfers of all time:
10. Virgil Van Dijk
Purchasing Price: $18.5M
Selling Price: $99.7M [Southampton to Liverpool]
Profit: $81.2M
Transfer Year: January, 2018
Nationality: Netherlands
Current Team: Liverpool
9. Nicolas Pepe
Purchasing Price: $11.8M
Selling Price: $94.2M [Lille to Arsenal]
Profit: $82.4M
Transfer Year: August, 2019
Nationality: Ivory Coast
Current Team: Trabzonspor
8. Harry Maguire
Purchasing Price: $16.1M
Selling Price: $102.4M [Leicester City to Manchester United]
Profit: $86.3M
Transfer Year: July, 2019
Nationality: England
Current Team: Manchester United
7. Zinedine Zidane
Purchasing Price: $4.1M
Selling Price: $91.3M [Juventus to Real Madrid]
Profit: $87.2M
Transfer Year: 2001
Nationality: France
Current Team: Retired
6. Cristiano Ronaldo
Purchasing Price: $22.4M
Selling Price: $110.7M [Manchester United to Real Madrid]
Profit: $88.3M
Transfer Year: July, 2009
Nationality: Portugal
Current Team: Al Nassr
5. Eden Hazard
Purchasing Price: $41.2M
Selling Price: $135.4M [Chelsea to Real Madrid]
Profit: $94.2M
Transfer Year: July, 2019
Nationality: Belgium
Current Team: Retired
4. Gareth Bale
Purchasing Price: $17.3M
Selling Price: $118.9M [Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid]
Profit: $101.6M
Transfer Year: September, 2013
Nationality: Wales
Current Team: Retired
3. Ousmane Dembele
Purchasing Price: $17.7M
Selling Price: $162.4M [Borussia Dortmund to FC Barcelona]
Profit: $144.7M
Transfer Year: August, 2017
Nationality: France
Current Team: Paris Saint-Germain
2. Philippe Coutinho
Purchasing Price: $15.3M
Selling Price: $170.7M [Liverpool to FC Barcelona]
Profit: $155.4M
Transfer Year: January, 2018
Nationality: Brazil
Current Team: Al-Duhail SC
1. Neymar
Purchasing Price: $103.8M
Selling Price: $261.3M [FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain]
Profit: $157.5M
Transfer Year: August, 2017
Nationality: Brazil
Current Team: Al Hilal SFC
Who is the Most Profitable Football Transfers of all time?
Neymar is the Most Profitable Football Transfer of all time.
Do check out: Which Football League Has the Highest Number of Ballon d’Or Winners?
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