Premier League's 10 Most Expensive Portuguese Players of All Time
Updated: Sep 13
Premier League's 10 Most Expensive Portuguese Players
How many times have we seen Portuguese talent light up the Premier League? From midfield magicians to commanding defenders and explosive forwards, Portuguese players have made a huge impact on English football.
Clubs have also been willing to spend serious money to bring them to England. Some have gone on to become club legends. Others have found the Premier League more difficult than expected.
So, who takes the crown as the most expensive Portuguese signing in Premier League history? Let’s count down.
Here Are The Premier League's 10 Most Expensive Portuguese Players of All Time
10. Nélson Semedo – Wolverhampton Wanderers (£27m, 2020)
Nélson Semedo joined Wolverhampton Wanderers from Barcelona in 2020 for around £27 million. The Portuguese right-back arrived at Molineux after three seasons with Barcelona, where he had made more than 100 appearances and won La Liga twice.
At Wolves, Semedo quickly established himself as a regular on the right side of the defence. His pace, attacking ability and experience at the highest level made him an important part of the team's back line.
He went on to spend several seasons in the Premier League before leaving Wolves in 2025. His £27 million transfer made him one of the most expensive Portuguese players ever signed by a Premier League club.
9. Fábio Silva – Wolverhampton Wanderers (£37.8m, 2020)
Wolves made Fábio Silva their club-record signing in 2020 when they brought the teenage striker from Porto. The Portuguese club confirmed the transfer at €40 million, which was around £37 million at the time.
Silva had already made history at Porto as their youngest league player and youngest scorer. The move to England came with enormous expectations.
Silva struggled to consistently reproduce the form that had made him such an exciting prospect in Portugal, however, and spent time away from Wolves on loan as he looked to establish himself.
The transfer remains notable because of the size of the fee and Silva's age when Wolves made the investment.
8. Diogo Jota – Liverpool (£41m, 2020)
Diogo Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 for an initial fee of around £41 million, with the deal potentially rising further through add-ons. It quickly became one of the smartest attacking investments Liverpool had made.
Jota's movement, pressing and ability to score with either foot made him an excellent fit for Jürgen Klopp's team. He became an important member of Liverpool's attack and helped the club compete for major honours.
He also played a key role in Liverpool's 2024/25 Premier League title-winning campaign.
Jota's football career was tragically cut short in July 2025 when he died in a car accident in Spain alongside his brother André Silva. He was 28.
His legacy at Liverpool goes well beyond the transfer fee. He became a much-loved figure at Anfield and an important part of one of the club's most successful modern teams.
7. Bernardo Silva – Manchester City (£43m, 2017)
Bernardo Silva arrived at Manchester City from Monaco in 2017 for around £43 million. At first glance, the fee looks modest compared with some of the enormous transfer figures that followed in the Premier League.
In hindsight, City got extraordinary value. Bernardo became one of Pep Guardiola's most trusted players, capable of operating in midfield, out wide or in more advanced positions.
His close control, intelligence and ability to escape pressure made him one of the most technically gifted players in the Premier League.
He won six Premier League titles and 19 major trophies during his nine-year spell at Manchester City before leaving the club in 2026. For £43 million, that represents quite a return.
6. Geovany Quenda – Chelsea (£43.5m, 2026)
Geovany Quenda is the newest name on this list. Chelsea agreed a deal with Sporting CP worth around £43.5 million for the highly rated Portuguese winger in 2025, with the transfer taking effect after the 2025/26 season.
The fee included potential performance-related bonuses. Quenda stayed at Sporting for the 2025/26 campaign before making the move to Stamford Bridge.
The teenager had emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in Portuguese football, with his pace, dribbling ability and versatility attracting attention from some of Europe's biggest clubs.
Chelsea's investment makes Quenda one of the most expensive Portuguese players ever signed by a Premier League club. The big question now is whether he can turn that potential into consistent Premier League performances.
5. Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United (£46.6m, 2020)
Manchester United signed Bruno Fernandes from Sporting CP in January 2020 for an initial fee of around £46.6 million, with potential add-ons capable of taking the overall deal significantly higher.
Few expensive signings have had such an immediate impact. Fernandes quickly became United's creative heartbeat, producing goals, assists and chances while taking on increasing responsibility as one of the club's senior players.
He also became Manchester United captain and established himself as one of the Premier League's most productive attacking midfielders.
The fee looks even better when measured against his influence at Old Trafford. Fernandes has remained a central figure at United and was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year for 2025/26.
4. Pedro Neto – Chelsea (£51m, 2024)
Chelsea signed Pedro Neto from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2024 after agreeing an initial fee of around £51 million, with add-ons taking the potential value to approximately £54 million.
Neto arrived with a reputation for explosive pace, direct running and the ability to create chances from wide positions. Injuries had interrupted his progress at Wolves, but Chelsea believed his attacking qualities were worth the investment.
He has since become an important part of Chelsea's squad and remained at Stamford Bridge after interest from Manchester City in 2026. Chelsea have since rewarded him with a new five-year contract after an impressive start to his time at Stamford Bridge.
If Neto can stay fit, there is still plenty of time for the Portuguese winger to show exactly why Chelsea paid such a substantial fee for him.
3. Matheus Nunes – Manchester City (£53m, 2023)
Manchester City completed the signing of Matheus Nunes from Wolves in 2023 for around £53 million. Nunes had only spent one full season at Wolves, but his performances had convinced City that he could develop into an important part of Guardiola's midfield.
His physical qualities, ability to carry the ball and versatility made him an attractive option. His time at City has not always followed a straightforward path, however.
Nunes has played in several positions and has even been used at right-back, highlighting the tactical flexibility he can offer.
The Portuguese international remains a member of the Manchester City squad, although his role has evolved considerably since the move from Wolves.
2. João Cancelo – Manchester City (£60m, 2019)
Manchester City completed the signing of João Cancelo from Juventus in 2019 for £60 million, with Brazilian full-back Danilo moving to Juventus in the opposite direction for £34.1 million.
Cancelo arrived as one of Europe's most highly rated attacking full-backs and quickly showed why City had been willing to spend so heavily on him. His ability to play on either side of the defence, carry the ball forward and move into midfield made him particularly well-suited to Pep Guardiola's tactical approach.
Cancelo became an important part of City's success, winning three Premier League titles and establishing himself as one of the league's most technically gifted full-backs. His time at the Etihad eventually ended after a breakdown in his relationship with Guardiola.
He spent time on loan at Bayern Munich and Barcelona before leaving Manchester City permanently for Al-Hilal in 2024.
Cancelo made 154 appearances for City before his departure, scoring nine goals. For all the controversy surrounding the end of his City career, his five years in England produced some outstanding football.
1. Rúben Dias – Manchester City (£62m, 2020)
Rúben Dias became Manchester City's most expensive Portuguese signing when he joined from Benfica in 2020 for an initial fee of around £62 million, with a further £3 million available in add-ons.
The centre-back quickly proved to be one of City's most important defensive signings of the Guardiola era. Dias brought leadership, aggression and composure to the heart of the defence and became a key figure in City's transformation into one of Europe's dominant teams.
He was named the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year in his first season in England and played a major role in City's historic treble-winning campaign in 2022/23.
By 2025, Dias had already won 10 trophies with City and signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until 2029. For a defender, the fee was huge. For Manchester City, it proved to be money well spent.
Table Summary: The 10 Most Expensive Portuguese Players in Premier League History
Rank | Player | Premier League club | Fee |
1 | Rúben Dias | Man City | £62m |
2 | João Cancelo | Man City | £60m |
3 | Matheus Nunes | Man City | £53m |
4 | Pedro Neto | Chelsea | £51m |
5 | Bruno Fernandes | Man United | £46.6m |
6 | Geovany Quenda | Chelsea | £43.5m |
7 | Bernardo Silva | Man City | £43m |
8 | Diogo Jota | Liverpool | £41m |
9 | Fábio Silva | Wolves | £37.8m |
10 | Nélson Semedo | Wolves | £27m |
Who Is the Most Expensive Portuguese Player in Premier League History?
Rúben Dias remains the most expensive Portuguese player signed by a Premier League club, with Manchester City paying Benfica an initial £62 million for the centre-back in 2020.
The deal could rise to around £65 million with add-ons. Dias quickly became a key figure at Manchester City, winning multiple Premier League titles and playing a central role in the club's 2023 treble.
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