Premier League spending has long been extravagant, but the numbers have become even more striking over the past decade. The competition’s traditional heavyweights continue to set the pace, using their financial strength to compete for the game’s biggest names year after year.

Here is a look at the 10 highest transfer fees in Premier League history, including add-ons.

Chelsea twice featured prominently in Romelu Lukaku’s career arc, first signing him from Anderlecht in 2011 and later bringing him back from Inter for just under £100 million. That second move proved costly in every sense. Lukaku had been prolific for Inter, helping them to the Serie A title in 2020–21, but he could not reproduce that level in west London. After only one full season, he was loaned out and later sold, with his Premier League return yielding eight goals.

July 2026 brought Sandro Tonali into Tottenham Hotspur’s record books after a move from Newcastle United. His rise had been well established at St James’ Park, especially after returning from a 10-month gambling ban in August 2024. Tonali helped Newcastle back into the Champions League and played a major role in ending their long wait for silverware with the Carabao Cup title.

Jack Grealish arrived at Manchester City for £100 million in 2021 and remained influential despite never fully hitting the levels many expected. Declan Rice’s £105 million transfer to Arsenal drew attention at the time, yet he has justified the fee through his all-round midfield impact, particularly as Arsenal reached the title in 2025–26.

Enzo Fernández’s £106 million move to Chelsea has brought mixed reaction, though his quality has surfaced in difficult circumstances. Moisés Caicedo followed at £115 million including add-ons after an outstanding season with Brighton & Hove Albion, and has since re-established himself among the division’s leading midfielders.

Elliot Anderson’s value surged from his £35 million move to Nottingham Forest, before Manchester City made him their club-record signing at £116 million. Liverpool’s arrival of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen was then the record, but his first season at Anfield was slow, even if he still produced 15 goal involvements and signs of promise.

Former England manager Kevin Keegan has died at the age of 75, seven months after he disclosed that he had cancer.

His family said he was with his wife and daughters in his final moments. They described him as a much loved husband, father and grandfather, and thanked his medical team for their support. The family also asked for privacy during what they called a hugely difficult time.

Keegan’s diagnosis was confirmed by his family in January, when they said scans had detected cancer before an operation on an injury caused in a car accident. In June, he revealed that the illness had reached Stage IV.

He is most closely associated with Liverpool, where he played between 1971 and 1977 and won three First Division titles and the 1976-77 European Cup. Those years secured his place in the club’s history.

Keegan also became a major figure at Newcastle, where he later ended his playing career in 1984 before returning eight years later as manager. He went on to have spells with Fulham, the England national team and Manchester City, before coming back to Newcastle again in 2008.

His individual honours included back-to-back Ballons d’Or in 1978 and 1979, making him one of seven men to achieve the feat.

Newcastle paid tribute with a lengthy statement, saying: “We are devastated to learn of the passing of Kevin Keegan, one of the most iconic, influential and deeply loved figures in our club’s history,” Newcastle said. “Kevin was more than a legendary footballer and manager. He was the beating heart of Newcastle United for generations of supporters.

“As a player, he brought world-class talent, ambition and belief to St. James’ Park, helping to transform perceptions of what Newcastle United could be.

“As a manager, he ignited our city. Kevin gave supporters hope and pride, and led a team whose style, spirit and passion captured the imagination of football fans around the world. He was so much more than an Entertainer.

“Above all that, Kevin forged an extraordinary bond with Newcastle, built on the roots of his father, Joe. He understood our people. He embraced the North East with a passion that was genuine and unwavering, and in return, he earned his rightful place in the hearts of millions.

“Kevin’s impact will not be measured by appearances or results. It will live on in the memories he created with club and country, the dreams he inspired wherever he went, and the generations of supporters around the world who fell in love with football because of him.

“At this profoundly sad time, we send our love and deepest sympathy to Kevin’s wife Jean, his family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him.”

Arsenal’s interest in Bruno Guimaraes has been complicated by a breakdown in communication that now appears to have stalled any move. Reports say intermediaries presented Arsenal with a guide figure of about $67 million (£50 million) this summer, a number allegedly discussed by the player’s representatives with former Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley. Staveley denies ever holding such talks and left the club in July 2024.

That $67 million figure was passed to Arsenal earlier in the window, but it is not aligned with Newcastle’s true asking price, which is thought to be roughly double that amount. The size of the gap has prompted Arsenal to consider abandoning the pursuit. Bruno Guimaraes is believed to be keen on the move but is not prepared to force an exit.

Intermediaries operating between clubs and players have become a common feature of modern transfers. Rules restrict direct contact between an interested club and a player unless the selling club grants permission, but there is nothing to prevent outside individuals from relaying information among the parties involved.

“To be clear, this is not an Arsenal problem.” The wider practice of using intermediaries means many teams operate in a similar manner; personal terms are often agreed before a formal bid is lodged, even though those conversations cannot be conducted directly under the regulations. That rule is broken more often than is publicized.

Arsenal’s decision to step back produced confusion at St James’ Park. Several reports noted Newcastle had had zero contact with Arsenal during the episode, leaving the club perplexed at the narrative of a potential cut-price transfer. Had Arsenal spoken directly to Newcastle from the start, they would have learned of a £100 million price tag that would likely have ended their pursuit before it began. The attempt to shortcut the formal transfer process has ended up complicating matters for the Gunners in this instance.