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Top 10 most expensive transfers of summer 2026

06 Aug, 08:25

Most of the summer transfer window of 2026 is already behind us. We are practically at the finish line. So, it's time to take stock. In this article we have compiled a list of the ten most expensive transfers of the current transfer window that have already officially taken place by the beginning of August.

1. Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa → Chelsea) — 138 million euros

At the moment, the transfer of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa to Chelsea tops the ranking of the most expensive deals of the summer of 2026. The London grandee made a record purchase in its history, laying out 138 million euros for the midfielder. Moreover, Rogers himself became the most expensive English footballer in history. Yes, the pressure on Morgan will be enormous. But, it seems, he should fit into Xabi Alonso's game model without any problems and lead the "Blues" attack together with Palmer.

2. Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest → Manchester City) — 135 million euros

Elliot Anderson's transfer is not just another big purchase by the "Citizens", but a serious investment by Manchester City in strengthening the midfield. The club is filling the "eight" position for many years to come with a promising player. At the last World Cup, Anderson made a bright appearance and proved that he could become one of the leaders of the new generation of English footballers. Therefore, a price tag of 135 million euros should not surprise anyone.

3. Sandro Tonali (Newcastle → Tottenham) — 108 million euros

Sandro Tonali's transfer from Newcastle to Tottenham for 108 million euros has set a record for the London club. Is the Italian worth such money? Probably, yes. Tonali is a versatile midfielder, capable of both breaking down the opponent's attacks and accelerating his own. This is exactly the profile that is vital for Roberto De Zerbi's team philosophy.

4. Mateus Fernandes (West Ham → Tottenham) — 99 million euros

Another major purchase by Tottenham in the current transfer window is the transfer of Mateus Fernandes. Manchester United was also hunting for the player, but the "Mancunians" considered the price tag of 99 million euros to be inflated and eventually refused the deal. However, this amount suited the Londoners. And they got another great player in the midfield.

5. Anthony Gordon (Newcastle → Barcelona) — 80 million euros

Barcelona pulled off Gordon's transfer even before the start of the World Cup. Moreover, it did so in the shortest possible time - literally within a day. Some believe that Anthony is not needed by the Catalans with Rafinha alive. However, it should be noted that the Brazilian has become extremely injury-prone over the past year. Against this background, Gordon is an excellent alternative without losing quality. In Hansi Flick's game system, the hyper-pressing and active Englishman will definitely be useful.

6. Gonzalo Ramos (PSG → Milan) — 74 million euros

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Perhaps the most questionable and inexplicable transfer from our top list. Milan paid 74 million euros for a PSG reserve. For the Italian club, this is a new transfer record - previously, the most expensive was Rafael Leao. But will Ramush help Milan to reach a fundamentally different level in attack? There are doubts...

7. Jeremy Doku (Rennes → Liverpool) — 63.6 million euros

Doku is a product of Rennes, which has a well-established system for developing young players, and Liverpool hopes to "fine-tune" this talent. Yes, investing almost 64 million euros in a footballer who has not yet proven his consistency in a top league is always a risk. But Liverpool doesn't have much choice. It's too hard to secure a top player in today's realities.

8. Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton → Tottenham) — 60 million euros

Another element of Tottenham's large-scale renewal. Van Hecke is a reliable central defender, known for his aerial play and ability to initiate attacks with the first pass. The Dutchman is expected to replace Cristian Romero, who is set to leave the London club before the end of the current transfer window.

9. Marco Palstra (Atalanta → Chelsea) — 57 million euros

On paper, a great deal for the Londoners. Palstra is exactly the type of full-back that Alonso needs: he can both defend and aggressively join attacks, plus he can play on both flanks and even in midfield. At Bayer, Alonso built the game largely through active full-backs - and at Chelsea, he clearly wants to replicate this model.

10. Marc Cucurella (Chelsea → Real Madrid) — 55 million euros

A Barcelona graduate has moved to Real Madrid - such a rare case! But it's not surprising. Marc was set to return to Spain for family reasons even before the World Cup. He had three potential options: Atletico, Real Madrid, and Barca. But only the "Los Blancos" showed specific interest in the defender. And, it seems, they needed the Spaniard the most. Under Jose Mourinho, Cucurella will be an undisputed starter.

FAQ

Who topped the ranking of the most expensive transfers of the summer 2026 at the beginning of August?

At the moment, the top transfer is Morgan Rogers' move from Aston Villa to Chelsea for 138 million euros. This is also a record deal in Chelsea's history.

What criteria were used to compile the top of the most expensive transfers?

The ranking only includes completed transfers of the summer of 2026 with a confirmed buyout amount (according to Transfermarkt data). The transfer cost was specifically taken into account - excluding bonuses and salaries.

When does the summer transfer window close?

In the top European leagues, the summer transfer window closes on August 31, 2026. However, in certain championships, it will remain open until approximately mid-September.