Manchester United’s 10 Most Expensive Transfers Of All Time
- Think Football Ideas
- Jun 27
- 6 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
There’s nothing subtle about Manchester United in the transfer market. When they go big, and they often do, they make sure the whole world’s watching. From jaw-dropping bids to deadline day drama, United have built a reputation for turning heads and breaking records with their spending.
Whether it's chasing global superstars or filling urgent gaps in the squad, they’ve splashed serious cash over the years. So, who is Manchester United’s most expensive signing? Let’s break down the Man United top 10 transfer fees of all time, a list full of blockbuster deals, sky-high expectations, and no shortage of debate.
Below Are Man Utd’s 10 Most Expensive Transfers Of All Time
10. Bryan Mbeumo – From Brentford in 2025: £65m
Signed on 21 July 2025, Bryan Mbeumo’s arrival at Old Trafford wasn’t just another big-money deal, though the £65m fee, plus £6m in add-ons, firmly places him among United’s most expensive signings. Brentford held out in a tense saga, rival bids circled, but Mbeumo’s heart was fixed on United.
With a proven record of goals and assists in the Premier League, the Cameroon international joins with a hunger to push his limits under Ruben Amorim: “I know I have the spirit and character to reach another level here,” he said. A statement that fits the bill for a player United hope can inject the edge.
9. Casemiro – From Real Madrid in 2022: £60 Million
In a summer when Manchester United desperately needed steel and structure, they turned to a proven winner. Casemiro’s arrival from Real Madrid in August 2022 for £60 million brought immediate authority to Erik ten Hag’s midfield, a role that had been crying out for leadership.
With five Champions League titles to his name, the Brazilian wasn’t just a signing; he was a statement. He initially brought grit, experience, and a winning mentality that had long been missing at Old Trafford, making an instant impact, scoring crucial goals, including a vital header in the 2023 League Cup final, as he helped United lift silverware in his debut season.
However, his second and third campaigns have been more turbulent, marred by injuries and inconsistent form. Critics have been vocal, with some even suggesting United should consider moving on. Whether Casemiro can rediscover his best form under Ruben Amorim remains a big question to be answered
8. Matheus Cunha – From Wolves in June 2025: £62.5 Million
Following a breakout 2024–25 campaign with Wolves, Matheus Cunha became Manchester United’s headline summer signing.
His £62.5 million price tag reflected not just his stellar form, 29 goals and 13 assists across 82 appearances, but also the club’s belief in his long-term potential. For a team looking to inject energy and unpredictability into its forward line, Cunha felt like the perfect fit.
The Brazilian forward brings flair, relentless work rate, and that Samba fearlessness - he’s quick, technical, and doesn’t shy away from taking defenders on.
His versatility across the front line will be a major asset to new manager Ruben Amorim. When fans ask, “How much did Man Utd pay for their top signings?” - his fee reminds us that potential comes at a premium.
7. Rasmus Højlund – From Atalanta In 2023: £64 Million
Young, raw, but brimming with potential – Rasmus Højlund joined United from Atalanta for £64 million in the summer of 2023. His debut campaign showed flashes of the powerful No.9 United fans had been crying out for.
With pace, strength, and a knack for clutch moments, the Danish striker’s journey seemed full of promise. The Old Trafford club bet big on his future, and at first, it looked like that gamble might pay off.
However, his second season at Old Trafford turned into a nightmare, plagued by injuries, dips in form, and a lack of confidence in front of goal. Still just 22, there’s time for redemption, but the pressure is growing, and United will be desperate to see their investment come good.
6. Benjamin Sesko – £66.3m (2025)
Manchester United secured the signing of Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig in a deal worth £73.7 million, making him one of the costliest additions in the club’s history.
The 22-year-old penned a five-year contract after United beat off competition from Newcastle United, with the package including £66.3m guaranteed and further add-ons. Viewed as a forward with huge potential, Sesko expressed excitement about the club’s project under Ruben Amorim, calling Old Trafford the “perfect place” to fulfil his ambitions.
5. Jadon Sancho – From Borussia Dortmund in 2020: £72.6 Million
After years of pursuit, United finally landed Jadon Sancho in July 2020 for £72.6 million. Touted as one of Europe’s most electrifying young wingers, the former Dortmund star came in with sky-high expectations. Sancho's time at Old Trafford has been turbulent, with flashes of brilliance often overshadowed by inconsistency and off-field issues.
Following a public falling-out with Erik ten Hag, he was cast out from the first team, loaned back to Dortmund, and then to Chelsea, where he lifted the Conference League with the Blues.
As things stand, he has no future at United, with reports strongly hinting at a permanent move away. Whether he can rediscover his best form in red is no longer in the script, and all that's left now is the final chapter: his exit.
4. Romelu Lukaku – From Everton in 2017: £75 Million
In the summer of 2017, Manchester United beat Chelsea to the signature of Romelu Lukaku, shelling out £75 million for the prolific Belgian striker. He hit the ground running under José Mourinho, netting 27 goals in his debut season.
But despite that strong start, his form dipped somewhat after Ole Gunnar Solskjær took over, as questions began to swirl about his fit in the new system.
By 2019, he was on his way to Inter Milan. Some would say it was a hefty price tag for a striker who delivered in bursts, but truthfully, he produced more than many others on this list.
3. Harry Maguire – From Leicester City in 2019: £80 Million
The most expensive defender in history at the time, Harry Maguire’s £80 million move from Leicester in 2019 divided opinion instantly. While he brought leadership and was named club captain, his performances were often scrutinised under the microscope.
Despite the criticism, the England centre-back, Maguire, has remained a key squad figure, stepping up in moments when it mattered. Still, the fee remains one of the most debated in Man Utd's highest transfer fees paid in history.
2. Antony – From Ajax In 2022: £81.3 Million
A last-minute deadline day move in the 2022 summer transfer window saw Manchester United splash out £81.3 million on Brazilian winger Antony.
Having previously thrived under Erik ten Hag at Ajax, the transfer was billed as a promising reunion, especially considering United had the chance to sign him for significantly less earlier in the window.
Antony hit the ground running with a superb debut goal against Arsenal at Old Trafford, but consistency soon became an issue, and the scrutiny followed. United hoped he would blossom into the dynamic attacking threat they envisioned when making him one of their most expensive signings.
Instead, he was eventually loaned to Real Betis, where he rediscovered his spark. Whether he returns to Old Trafford, goes out on loan again, or is sold outright, one thing is clear, wearing the Red Devils shirt comes with a pressure and expectation few truly master.
1. Paul Pogba – From Juventus in 2016: £89 Million
Who is Manchester United’s most expensive signing? The answer is Paul Pogba. When United brought the French midfielder back to Old Trafford in 2016 for £89 million, it was the biggest transfer in world football at the time.
A graduate of United’s academy, Pogba returned with unfinished business. His time at the club was filled with stunning goals, cup triumphs, and plenty of polarising headlines, But amid the highs were injuries, inconsistent form, and polarising headlines that seemed to follow him like a shadow.
He never quite hit the heights many envisioned, nor did he step into the leadership role some had hoped for. And while he wasn't solely to blame, the Premier League and Champions League titles he was brought back to help deliver never arrived.
While opinions on his impact remain split, the sheer size of the deal keeps Pogba at the summit of Man Utd highest transfer fees paid in history.
Commentaires