The modern football transfer market has seen strikers command eye-watering fees as clubs chase goals, trophies, and global success. Over the past decade, elite forwards have regularly crossed the €100 million mark, reshaping how teams build their attacks. Recent blockbuster moves, especially Alexander Isak’s switch to Liverpool, have once again pushed strikers into the spotlight.
This article looks at the most expensive striker transfers of all time, explaining why clubs paid so much, how these deals worked out, and what they mean for football today.
The Most Expensive Striker Transfers Ever (Top 10 Deals)
| Rank | Player | Transfer Fee | From → To | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kylian Mbappé | €180m | Monaco → PSG | 2018 |
| 2 | Alexander Isak | €145m | Newcastle → Liverpool | 2025 |
| 3 | João Félix | €127.2m | Benfica → Atlético Madrid | 2019 |
| 4 | Antoine Griezmann | €120m | Atlético → Barcelona | 2019 |
| 5 | Cristiano Ronaldo | €117m | Real Madrid → Juventus | 2018 |
| 6 | Romelu Lukaku | €113m | Inter → Chelsea | 2021 |
| 7 | Harry Kane | €95m | Tottenham → Bayern | 2023 |
| 8 | Randal Kolo Muani | €95m | Frankfurt → PSG | 2023 |
| 9 | Gonzalo Higuaín | €90m | Napoli → Juventus | 2016 |
| 10 | Darwin Núñez | €85m | Benfica → Liverpool | 2022 |
1. Kylian Mbappé – €180m
From: AS Monaco → To: Paris Saint-Germain (2018)
Kylian Mbappé remains the most expensive striker in football history. PSG initially signed him on loan before making the deal permanent. Over seven seasons, he became the club’s all-time top scorer, won multiple Ligue 1 titles, and dominated French football before moving on to a new chapter at Real Madrid. Even without a Champions League title in Paris, his impact justified the record fee.
2. Alexander Isak – €145m
From: Newcastle United → To: Liverpool (2025)
Alexander Isak’s move to Liverpool set a new British transfer record. After scoring heavily in the Premier League and finishing among the top scorers, Liverpool finally landed their long-term No.9. The deal confirmed how highly elite, all-round strikers are now valued in the modern game.
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3. Harry Kane – €95m
From: Tottenham Hotspur → To: Bayern Munich (2023)
Harry Kane left Spurs as a club legend and England’s most reliable goal scorer. Bayern paid big to finally secure a world-class striker, and Kane delivered immediately with goals and silverware in Germany, making this one of the more successful mega striker transfers.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo – €117m
From: Real Madrid → To: Juventus (2018)
Juventus signed Cristiano Ronaldo to push for Champions League glory. While Europe’s biggest prize never arrived, Ronaldo delivered goals, league titles, and massive global attention. The transfer remains one of the most iconic striker deals ever.
5. Romelu Lukaku – €113m
From: Inter Milan → To: Chelsea (2021)
Chelsea broke their transfer record to bring Romelu Lukaku back. Despite his proven scoring record in Italy, the move failed to click. Lukaku later rebuilt his form elsewhere, making this one of the most debated striker transfers in Premier League history.
Other High-Value Striker Deals That Shaped the Market
6) Romelu Lukaku – €113m
From: Inter Milan → To: Chelsea (2021)
Chelsea paid a club-record fee to bring Lukaku back, expecting him to become the final piece of their attack. But the return spell didn’t work: style mismatch, pressure, and off-field noise hurt the relationship, and his time at Chelsea became one of the biggest “what went wrong?” striker stories.
Deal verdict (headline style): huge price, huge expectations, disappointing outcome.
7) Harry Kane – €95m
From: Tottenham Hotspur → To: Bayern Munich (2023)
Kane left Spurs as a legend, with a massive goal record, and Bayern paid big for the “guaranteed goals” striker. Unlike many mega moves, Kane’s transfer was widely seen as logical: he fits Bayern’s style and brings elite finishing, link play, and leadership.
Why the fee made sense: proven output for years + Bayern needed a world-class No.9.
8) Randal Kolo Muani – €95m
From: Eintracht Frankfurt → To: Paris Saint-Germain (2023)
Kolo Muani’s value jumped quickly after a strong season in Germany. PSG moved fast and paid premium money for a forward who could play multiple roles — central striker, runner in behind, and pressing forward. The fee showed how quickly top clubs pay for form + athletic profile.
Big takeaway: one great season can push fees into the €90m zone.
9) Gonzalo Higuaín – €90m
From: Napoli → To: Juventus (2016)
Juventus paid huge money (especially for that era) to sign Higuaín, who was one of Serie A’s most feared goal scorers. He delivered goals and league success, but the transfer became iconic mainly because it was one of the earliest “modern” mega-fee striker deals in Europe.
Big takeaway: a landmark striker signing that helped normalize €80m–€100m forward fees.
10) Darwin Núñez – €85m
From: Benfica → To: Liverpool (2022)
Liverpool signed Núñez for his physical profile, pace, and goal potential. His time has been a mix of big moments and inconsistency — a classic example of how raw, high-ceiling strikers can still take time to become complete finishers at the very top level.
Big takeaway: expensive “potential” signings can be high reward or frustrating.
Why Are Strikers So Expensive Now?
Goal Value: Goals decide matches. A reliable striker can change a club’s season instantly.
Commercial Impact: Star forwards sell shirts, boost sponsorships, and grow global fanbases.
Tactical Scarcity: Elite strikers who press, create, and score are rare, driving prices up.
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Did These Mega Deals Work Out?
- Clear successes: Mbappé, Kane, Ronaldo (domestic impact)
- Mixed outcomes: Isak (still early), Núñez
- Disappointments: Lukaku (Chelsea), Félix (Atlético)
Conclusion
The striker transfer market has reached historic heights. From Mbappé’s PSG era to Isak’s Liverpool move, clubs continue to bet massive sums on goals. Some deals create legends, others become warnings, but one thing is clear: elite strikers remain the most valuable assets in modern football.
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FAQs
Are strikers more expensive than midfielders or defenders?
Yes, on average. Proven goal scorers usually command higher fees than other positions.
Who is the most expensive striker ever?
Kylian Mbappé remains the most expensive striker in football history.
Is Alexander Isak the most expensive Premier League signing?
He is the most expensive striker and one of the costliest signings in British football history.
Do expensive striker transfers guarantee success?
No. Several record deals show that price does not always equal performance.
