From 2016 to 2026, the Premier League didn’t just inflate transfer fees; it redefined what “expensive” meant. Every few years, someone stepped forward and declared a new financial ceiling — and almost every time, that ceiling was shattered.
As England’s top flight strengthened its status as the world’s richest football league, British transfer records became temporary milestones rather than lasting achievements.
PUNCH Online takes a look at the top ten Premier League record signings over the last decade.
The ranking is based primarily on reported transfer fees paid by Premier League clubs and includes the biggest deals affecting British transfer records between 2016 and early 2026.
Top 10 Premier League Record Signings (2016–2026)
Alexander Isak — Newcastle United → Liverpool (2025) — ~£125 million
Liverpool shattered the British transfer record with the signing of the Swedish striker, completing the most expensive deal in English football history.
Florian Wirtz — Bayer Leverkusen → Liverpool (2025) — ~£116 million
The German playmaker broke the British transfer record shortly before Isak’s move to Anfield.
Moisés Caicedo — Brighton → Chelsea (2023) — ~£115 million
Chelsea’s move for the Ecuadorian midfielder made him the most expensive signing in British football at the time.
Enzo Fernández — Benfica → Chelsea (2023) — ~£106.8 million
Signed in January following his World Cup triumph with Argentina, Fernández briefly held the British transfer record.
Declan Rice — West Ham United → Arsenal (2023) — ~£105 million
Arsenal’s acquisition of Rice made him the most expensive English player in football history.
Jack Grealish — Aston Villa → Manchester City (2021) — ~£100 million
The first £100 million signing in Premier League history, Grealish’s move marked a turning point in English football spending.
Romelu Lukaku — Inter Milan → Chelsea (2021) — ~£97.5 million
Chelsea paid a massive fee to bring Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge during the early 2020s spending boom.
Paul Pogba — Juventus → Manchester United (2016) — ~£89 million
The deal that kick-started the modern era, Pogba’s return to Old Trafford was a British transfer record at the time.
Mykhailo Mudryk — Shakhtar Donetsk → Chelsea (2023) — ~£88.5 million
Another major Chelsea investment, reflecting the club’s aggressive recruitment strategy.
Antony — Ajax → Manchester United (2022) — ~£85 million
A club-record signing for Manchester United, completing the list of the Premier League’s most expensive deals of the past decade.
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