Jose Mourinho's 15 Most Expensive Signings Ever
Updated: Sep 14
The 15 Most Expensive José Mourinho Signings of All Time
When José Mourinho arrived at Chelsea in 2004, he was already one of the most talked-about young managers in European football. He had just won the Champions League with Porto and was about to enter a completely different world at Stamford Bridge. The spending began.
Over the next two decades, Mourinho managed some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Roma and Fenerbahçe. Along the way, he worked with some of the most expensive and recognisable players in football.
Some became superstars. Some became club legends. Others became expensive reminders that even José Mourinho doesn't always get his transfer decisions right.
His return to Real Madrid in 2026 has now added another huge chapter to that story. Madrid spent a club-record €125 million up front on Ivorian winger Yan Diomande, with the deal potentially rising to €140 million. That immediately made the teenager Mourinho's most expensive signing.
So, who are José Mourinho's 15 most expensive signings?
Here Are The 15 Most Expensive Signings Under José Mourinho's Leadership
15. Luka Modrić – £30 Million
Tottenham Hotspur → Real Madrid, 2012
Luka Modrić was one of Mourinho's most important signings during his first spell at Real Madrid.
The Croatian midfielder joined Tottenham in 2012 for a fee of around €35 million, with the move eventually becoming one of the defining transfers of Madrid's next great midfield era.
Modrić's greatest achievements came after Mourinho's departure, particularly under Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane. But Mourinho was the manager who pushed Real Madrid to bring him to Spain. What followed was extraordinary.
Modrić became one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, winning multiple Champions League titles and the 2018 Ballon d'Or. It may not have been Mourinho's biggest signing at the time, but it was certainly one of his most important.
14. Willian – £30 Million
Anzhi Makhachkala → Chelsea, 2013
Willian joined Chelsea during Mourinho's second spell at Stamford Bridge after the Portuguese manager returned to the club in 2013. Chelsea paid around €35.5 million for the Brazilian winger.
Willian had originally been expected to join Tottenham, but Chelsea swooped in and changed the destination. He became a hugely reliable member of Mourinho's Chelsea side, combining pace, technical ability and an impressive work rate.
His ability to contribute defensively was particularly important to Mourinho. Willian eventually became one of Chelsea's most consistent performers of the era and played an important role in their 2014/15 Premier League title-winning campaign.
13. Eric Bailly – £30 Million
Villarreal → Manchester United, 2016
Eric Bailly was Mourinho's first signing as Manchester United manager. United paid Villarreal around €38 million for the Ivorian centre-back, making him one of the most expensive defenders in Mourinho's career.
Bailly immediately impressed with his aggressive defending, athleticism and willingness to throw himself into challenges.
He was an important member of United's 2016/17 side, helping Mourinho win the Europa League and League Cup during his first season.
Unfortunately, injuries became a recurring problem.
Bailly's United career never reached the level many expected when he arrived, but there were enough impressive performances to show why Mourinho had identified him as a priority signing.
12. Diego Costa – £32 Million
Atlético Madrid → Chelsea, 2014
When Mourinho returned to Chelsea for his second spell, he needed a striker capable of putting the ball in the net. Diego Costa was the answer.
Chelsea paid Atlético Madrid around €38 million for the Spanish international in 2014. Costa had already helped Atlético win La Liga and reach the Champions League final, and his aggressive style made him a natural fit for Mourinho's football.
He didn't take long to settle in England. Costa scored 20 Premier League goals in his first season as Chelsea won the title.
His combination of strength, movement and relentless competitiveness made him one of the most difficult forwards in the Premier League to defend against.
11. Michael Essien – £32 Million
Lyon → Chelsea, 2005
Michael Essien was one of Mourinho's first major midfield investments at Chelsea.
The Ghanaian joined from Lyon in 2005 for around €38 million.
Mourinho saw Essien as the sort of complete midfielder who could add physical strength without sacrificing technical quality. He was right.
Essien became a hugely influential member of Chelsea's midfield, capable of winning the ball, covering enormous amounts of ground and contributing at both ends of the pitch.
Injuries eventually disrupted his career, but during his best years at Stamford Bridge he was one of the most complete midfielders in Europe.
10. Didier Drogba – £33 Million
Marseille → Chelsea, 2004
Didier Drogba was one of Mourinho's first major Chelsea signings. The striker arrived from Marseille in 2004 for around €38.5 million. At the time, there were questions about whether Drogba could reproduce his form in England.
Those questions didn't last long. He developed into one of Chelsea's greatest-ever players, scoring huge goals in domestic and European competition.
His Champions League final equaliser against Bayern Munich in 2012 and the winning penalty in the shootout became part of Chelsea folklore.
Mourinho's relationship with Drogba also became one of the defining player-manager partnerships of his career. The striker's fee now looks like excellent business.
9. Tammy Abraham – £35 Million
Chelsea → Roma, 2021
Tammy Abraham became Mourinho's most expensive signing outside his spells at Chelsea and Manchester United until the Portuguese manager's return to Real Madrid changed the picture.
Roma paid around €41 million for the English striker in 2021. Abraham arrived after helping Chelsea win the Champions League and quickly became a central figure in Mourinho's Roma side.
His debut season was particularly successful. He scored regularly in Serie A and Europe before helping Roma win the inaugural Europa Conference League in 2022.
The move was a good example of Mourinho identifying a player who needed a fresh start and giving him a major role.
8. Henrikh Mkhitaryan – £36 Million
Borussia Dortmund → Manchester United, 2016
Mourinho wanted creativity when he took over at Manchester United in 2016, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan was one of his answers. United paid around €42 million to Borussia Dortmund for the Armenian midfielder.
Mkhitaryan had just enjoyed an outstanding season in Germany, scoring 23 goals and winning the Bundesliga Player of the Season award.
His first season at Old Trafford was mixed, but he still produced some memorable moments.
The biggest came in the Europa League final, when he scored against Ajax as United lifted the trophy.
His relationship with Mourinho later deteriorated, and Mkhitaryan left the club for Arsenal during the 2017/18 season.
7. Andriy Shevchenko – £38 Million
AC Milan → Chelsea, 2006
Andriy Shevchenko arrived at Chelsea with one of the biggest reputations in world football. The Ukrainian striker was a Ballon d'Or winner and had spent years terrorising Serie A defences with AC Milan.
Chelsea paid around €43.9 million for him in 2006. Unfortunately, his Chelsea career never reached the level expected.
Shevchenko struggled to adapt to English football and scored only nine Premier League goals during his two seasons at Stamford Bridge.
The signing also became a source of tension around Mourinho's Chelsea team. Few would have predicted such a difficult spell when one of Europe's most celebrated strikers arrived in London.
6. Nemanja Matić – £39 Million
Chelsea → Manchester United, 2017
Mourinho already knew exactly what Nemanja Matić could offer. The Serbian midfielder had been an important part of Mourinho's Chelsea team, so when the Portuguese manager needed another defensive midfielder at Manchester United, he went back to a familiar face.
United paid Chelsea around €44.7 million for Matić in 2017. His presence gave United greater physical strength and defensive security in midfield.
Matić was particularly important during the 2017/18 season, when United finished second in the Premier League. He never became the trophy-winning centrepiece Mourinho hoped for, but his role in the team was clear.
5. Marc Cucurella – £47 Million
Chelsea → Real Madrid, 2026
Mourinho's return to Real Madrid has already changed this list dramatically. One of his first major defensive additions was Marc Cucurella, who joined Madrid from Chelsea in 2026.
The deal was worth €55 million up front, with a further €5 million available in add-ons, giving it a potential total of €60 million.
Cucurella had established himself as a regular for Chelsea and Spain before returning to his homeland. His versatility and defensive intensity made him an attractive option for Mourinho as he began rebuilding Madrid's squad.
The transfer also shows how quickly Mourinho's spending record has changed since his return to the Bernabéu.
4. Fred – £51 Million
Shakhtar Donetsk → Manchester United, 2018
Fred became one of Mourinho's final major signings at Manchester United. United paid around €59 million to Shakhtar Donetsk for the Brazilian midfielder.
Mourinho wanted more energy and mobility in midfield, and Fred had impressed in Ukraine with his ability to carry the ball and play through pressure.
His adaptation to English football was slower than expected. Mourinho was dismissed only months after Fred's arrival, meaning the two worked together for a relatively short period. Fred later produced some of his best United performances under Ole Gunnar Solskjær and other managers.
3. Romelu Lukaku – £75 Million
Everton → Manchester United, 2017
Romelu Lukaku's arrival at Manchester United was one of the biggest transfers of Mourinho's career. United paid Everton an initial £75 million for the Belgian striker in 2017, with additional payments possible. Transfermarkt records the deal at €84.7 million.
Lukaku arrived after scoring 25 Premier League goals for Everton during the previous season. Mourinho wanted a powerful focal point for his attack, and Lukaku delivered a strong first season, scoring 27 goals in all competitions.
However, his form later became inconsistent and the striker eventually moved to Inter Milan.
There was also an interesting twist to the relationship.
Mourinho had previously been Lukaku's manager at Chelsea, but the striker was eventually sold by Chelsea during Mourinho's second spell there. Their reunion at Manchester United became one of the most expensive player-manager partnerships of Mourinho's career.
2. Paul Pogba – £91 Million
Juventus → Manchester United, 2016
For several years, Paul Pogba was the obvious answer whenever someone asked about Mourinho's most expensive signing. United paid Juventus around €105 million to bring Pogba back to Old Trafford in 2016.
Transfermarkt currently lists the fee at €105 million, equivalent to around £90.8 million. The transfer was loaded with history. Pogba had originally left Manchester United for Juventus as a teenager before becoming one of Europe's best midfielders.
Mourinho wanted him to be the centrepiece of a new United side. There were outstanding moments. Pogba helped United win the League Cup and Europa League during his first season and produced some spectacular performances.
But injuries, inconsistency and disagreements over his role meant the relationship never developed as many expected. Pogba eventually left United again. For a long time, he was Mourinho's biggest transfer gamble. Then came 2026.
1. Yan Diomande – Up to £120 Million
RB Leipzig → Real Madrid, 2026
José Mourinho's most expensive signing is now a teenager. Yan Diomande joined Real Madrid from RB Leipzig in 2026 for €125 million up front, with performance-related bonuses taking the potential total to €140 million.
That works out at around £107 million guaranteed and potentially £120 million in total. The transfer made Diomande the most expensive player in Real Madrid history and immediately pushed Mourinho's transfer record into a completely different financial bracket.
The Ivorian winger had enjoyed a breakthrough season with RB Leipzig after previously making his name with Leganés. Real Madrid saw enough potential to make him the centrepiece of a major rebuild.
Interestingly, Mourinho later explained that he had not specifically demanded Diomande's signing, highlighting the more collaborative approach to recruitment at the modern Bernabéu.
Whatever happens next, the numbers are already remarkable.
A guaranteed €125 million for a 19-year-old makes Diomande the biggest financial gamble of Mourinho's managerial career. He also has some way to go before matching what Didier Drogba, Luka Modrić or Paul Pogba achieved under Mourinho.
Table: José Mourinho's Top 15 Most Expensive Signings
Rank | Player | From | Club | Fee |
1 | Yan Diomande | RB Leipzig | Real Madrid | Up to £120m* |
2 | Paul Pogba | Juventus | Manchester United | £90.8m |
3 | Romelu Lukaku | Everton | Manchester United | £75m |
4 | Fred | Shakhtar Donetsk | Manchester United | £51m |
5 | Marc Cucurella | Chelsea | Real Madrid | £47m* |
6 | Nemanja Matić | Chelsea | Manchester United | £38.6m |
7 | Andriy Shevchenko | AC Milan | Chelsea | £37.9m |
8 | Henrikh Mkhitaryan | Borussia Dortmund | Manchester United | ~£36m |
9 | Tammy Abraham | Chelsea | Roma | ~£35m |
10 | Didier Drogba | Marseille | Chelsea | £33.3m |
11 | Michael Essien | Lyon | Chelsea | ~£33m |
12 | Diego Costa | Atlético Madrid | Chelsea | ~£33m |
13 | Eric Bailly | Villarreal | Manchester United | ~£33m |
14 | Willian | Anzhi Makhachkala | Chelsea | ~£31m |
15 | Luka Modrić | Tottenham Hotspur | Real Madrid | ~£30m |
*Diomande's deal is €125m guaranteed and can rise to €140m with add-ons. Cucurella's deal is €55m guaranteed and can rise to €60m. Reported fees can vary slightly depending on exchange rates, add-ons and accounting methods.
Who Is José Mourinho's Most Expensive Signing?
José Mourinho's most expensive signing is Yan Diomande, who joined Real Madrid from RB Leipzig in 2026. Real Madrid agreed to pay €125 million up front, with the transfer potentially reaching €140 million if all reported bonuses are achieved.
That places Diomande ahead of Paul Pogba, who had held the record since his €105 million move from Juventus to Manchester United in 2016.
It is quite a change from the days when Mourinho's biggest deals were players such as Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Luka Modrić.
How Much Has José Mourinho Spent on Players?
Mourinho has spent close to €2 billion on transfer fees across his managerial career, according to Transfermarkt's current database. It records 142 players for whom a fee was paid and a total expenditure of almost €2 billion.
That enormous figure reflects the length and scale of Mourinho's career. He has managed some of the richest and most ambitious clubs in Europe, and his teams have regularly competed for the biggest trophies in domestic and European football.
His return to Real Madrid has now added another extraordinary chapter to that spending record.
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