Manchester United has consistently been one of the most active clubs in the transfer market, especially when it comes to signing players capable of competing for domestic and continental titles. Thanks to the club's significant financial power and global popularity, the Red Devils have completed numerous record-breaking deals over the years.
According to transfer data from the Transfermarkt database, the list of the club's most expensive signings includes names from different generations, spanning legendary stars to talents acquired in recent years.
Top 10 Most Expensive Transfers in Manchester United's History
1. Paul Pogba – €105 million
Frenchman Paul Pogba tops the list of Manchester United's most expensive transfers after returning to the club from Juventus during the 2016/2017 season for €105 million.
This deal marked the comeback of the French midfielder to the club where he began his career before moving to Juventus. His return to Old Trafford came with great expectations, especially after he became one of Europe's top midfielders during his stint in Italy.
2. Antony – €95 million
Brazilian Antony ranks second after his transfer from Ajax Amsterdam to Manchester United during the 2022/2023 season for €95 million.
The signing of Antony was part of the club's efforts to strengthen its attacking line, especially since Antony had shone under manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax. The value of the deal stood out as one of the club’s largest investments in an attacking player in recent years.
3. Harry Maguire – €87 million
Englishman Harry Maguire takes the third spot after moving from Leicester City to Manchester United in the 2019/2020 season for €87 million.
This deal was particularly noteworthy at the time because of its substantial amount for a defender. Maguire became one of the most prominent defensive signings in the club's history, betting on him to lead the backline and bolster the team’s competitive edge both domestically and continentally.
4. Jadon Sancho – €85 million
Manchester United signed England's Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund during the 2021/2022 season for €85 million.
The deal came after a long period of interest in the player, who had proven himself as one of the standout offensive talents in the Bundesliga. The club counted on his ability to create opportunities and score, adding more speed and creativity to the attacking lineup.
5. Romelu Lukaku – €84.7 million
Belgian Romelu Lukaku ranks fifth after moving from Everton to Manchester United during the 2017/2018 season for €84.7 million.
Lukaku was one of the Premier League's top scorers before moving to Old Trafford, making his acquisition a significant investment to boost the team's attacking force. He was known for his strength, speed, and ability to score from within the penalty area.
6. Rasmus Højlund – €79.8 million
Danish Rasmus Højlund comes in sixth following his transfer from Atalanta to Manchester United in the 2023/2024 season for €79.8 million.
The acquisition of this young striker was part of the club's strategy to bolster the forward position with a player boasting significant physical and technical capabilities. His move to the Premier League followed a notable period at Atalanta, where he emerged as one of Europe’s rising young strikers.
7. Benjamin Šeško – €76.5 million
Slovenian Benjamin Šeško makes it onto the list of Manchester United's most expensive transfers after moving from RB Leipzig during the 2025/2026 season for €76.5 million.
Šeško represents one of the club's recent investments in the forward position, focusing on acquiring younger players who can provide long-term value. This deal highlights Manchester United’s continued heavy spending to enhance their offensive line-up.
8. Carlos Baleba – €75.9 million
Cameroonian Carlos Baleba ranks eighth after transferring from Brighton to Manchester United during the 2026/2027 season for €75.9 million, according to the provided list data.
The signing underscores the club's aim to strengthen its midfield with a player possessing physical presence and the ability to win balls and build plays. Baleba's entry into the list has heightened the club’s historical spending on player acquisitions, pushing other names further back in the ranking of most expensive transfers.
9. Bryan Mbeumo – €75 million
Cameroonian Bryan Mbeumo is among Manchester United's most expensive signings after moving from Brentford during the 2025/2026 season for €75 million, according to the reported figures.
Mbeumo is distinguished by his versatility in attacking positions, providing various solutions in the final third of the pitch, marking his transfer as part of the club’s strategy to bolster offensive options and add more speed and movement to the attacking line-up.
10. Angel Di Maria – €75 million
Argentinian Angel Di Maria rounds out the top 10 most expensive transfers in Manchester United's history, having joined from Real Madrid during the 2014/2015 season for €75 million.
Di Maria arrived at Manchester United as one of the world’s most prominent football stars following a successful period at Real Madrid. The club hoped his experience and offensive capabilities would bring the necessary addition, especially in creating opportunities and playing from the wings.
How Has Manchester United's Most Expensive Transfers List Evolved?
The list reveals a clear shift in Manchester United’s policy in recent years. While record deals previously focused more on signing ready-made stars, the club now also leans towards investing in younger players who can be part of the team project for several years.
The acquisitions of Šeško, Baleba, and Mbeumo are part of this modern transformation, whereas deals for Pogba, Lukaku, and Di Maria reflect major investments relying on widely recognized names or players with significant experience in Europe’s top leagues.
Attack Dominates the Most Expensive List
It is noteworthy that the top spots in Manchester United’s most expensive transfers list include a substantial number of attacking and midfield players. This is evident in the deals for Pogba, Antony, Sancho, Lukaku, Højlund, Šeško, and Mbeumo.
In contrast, Harry Maguire is the most notable exception defensively, as the €87 million fee for his transfer made the deal one of the most expensive defensive acquisitions in English football.
This distribution reflects the club’s historic priority to invest in elements capable of making a difference offensively, while resorting to major defensive signings when a clear need to strengthen the backline is identified by the coaching staff and management.
Casemiro Drops Out of the Top 10
The recent transfers have reshuffled the positions of some previous acquisitions, one of the most notable being Brazilian Casemiro, whose transfer to Manchester United was valued at around €70 million. According to the outlined data, he now falls out of the top 10 after newer, higher-valued deals emerged.
This reflects the rapid evolution of the European transfer market, where major clubs are prepared to pay huge amounts even for players who have yet to reach the peak of their careers.
What Do the Figures Indicate About Manchester United’s Strategy?
The values of these transfers indicate that Manchester United is not hesitant to engage in fierce financial competition when it comes to reinforcing the team. However, a high transfer fee does not necessarily equate to on-field success, which makes the evaluation of transfers dependent on the player’s technical contributions rather than just the value of his transfer.
The list also underscores the importance of strategic planning in selecting signings, where the club needs to strike a balance between acquiring experienced stars and investing in young talents. With global player prices soaring, maintaining this balance is more crucial than ever.
In conclusion, the top 10 most expensive transfers in Manchester United's history confirm that the English club remains a major player in the European transfer market, having spent substantial sums on prominent names across various positions. Paul Pogba leads with a €105 million price tag, closely followed by the deals for Antony, Maguire, Sancho, and Lukaku.
As player prices continue to rise, it is likely that this list will be reshaped once again in the coming seasons, particularly if Manchester United continues its aggressive approach in the transfer arena.
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