Top 31 Most Expensive Defenders in Football History

Defenders are no longer the unglamorous backline grunts – they're the new superstars of the transfer market. As of November 2025, the price for a world-class centre-back or full-back has skyrocketed, with clubs paying €80m+ for players who can stop Haaland, mark Mbappé, and launch attacks. From Harry Maguire's Premier League record to the Saudi spending spree, here's the definitive ranking of the 31 most expensive defenders ever – with fees, clubs, performances, and whether the money was worth it. The backline just got a whole lot more expensive.

31. Kieran Tierney – Celtic → Arsenal (€15m, 2019)

Scotland's left-back became Arsenal's record signing from Scotland. Solid but injury-prone – current value €25m.

30. Emerson Palmieri – Roma → Chelsea (€20m, 2018)

Italian left-back for the Blues. Rarely started but won Champions League. Current value €8m.

29. Diego Godín – Atlético Madrid → Inter Milan (€20m, 2019)

The Uruguayan rock at 33. Helped Inter to Champions League quarters. Retired at 39.

28. Kurt Zouma – Chelsea → West Ham (€38m, 2021)

Chelsea's homegrown centre-back. Strong but injury-hit. Current value €12m.

27. Dayot Upamecano – RB Leipzig → Bayern Munich (€42.5m, 2021)

French powerhouse at 22. 3 Bundesligas already, but adapting to Bayern's intensity.

26. Marc Cucurella – Brighton → Chelsea (€65m, 2022)

Spanish left-back. Flashy but inconsistent. Current value €25m.

25. Wesley Fofana – Leicester → Chelsea (€80m, 2022)

Chelsea's French centre-back. Injury-plagued but immense when fit. Current value €40m.

24. Kim Min-jae – Napoli → Bayern Munich (€50m, 2023)

The Korean monster. Scored Napoli's Serie A title, now Bayern's defensive leader.

23. Manuel Akanji – Borussia Dortmund → Manchester City (€17.5m, 2022)

Swiss defender. Champions League winner with City. Current value €45m – bargain.

22. Jurrien Timber – Ajax → Arsenal (€42m, 2023)

Dutch defender. Injury-hit debut season, but immense potential. Current value €50m.

21. Levi Colwill – Chelsea Academy (internal, current value €50m)

Chelsea's homegrown left-back. England international at 22.

20. Reece James – Chelsea Academy (internal, current value €55m)

Injury-prone but England's best right-back when fit.

19. William Saliba – Arsenal (France, €75m current value)

The best centre-back in the Premier League. Arsenal concede half as many when he plays.

18. Josko Gvardiol – RB Leipzig → Manchester City (€90m, 2023)

Croatian left-back. Champions League winner, 5 assists already this season.

17. Kim Min-jae – Bayern Munich (South Korea, €45m)

The Korean rock. 3.5 tackles per game, Serie A champion with Napoli.

16. Ronald Araújo – Barcelona (Uruguay, €70m)

Barcelona's defensive leader. 92% pass accuracy, 3.2 clearances per game.

15. Éder Militão – Real Madrid (Brazil, €60m)

Madrid's Brazilian centre-back. Champions League winner, 2.8 tackles per game.

14. Alessandro Bastoni – Inter Milan (Italy, €65m)

Inter's rock. 90% pass accuracy, Serie A champion.

13. Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool Academy (England, €80m)

The best right-back in the world. 12 assists this season already.

12. Alphonso Davies – Bayern Munich (Canada, €55m)

The fastest left-back alive. 2.5 dribbles per game, 8 assists last season.

11. Theo Hernández – AC Milan (France, €70m)

The most attacking left-back in Europe. 10 goals + 12 assists in 2 seasons.

10. Jeremie Frimpong – Bayer Leverkusen (Netherlands, €60m)

Leverkusen's right-back sensation. 12 goals + 15 assists last season – insane for a defender.

9. Leny Yoro – Manchester United (France, €80m)

The French wonderkid at 19. 3.1 clearances per game, already United's defensive leader.

8. Josko Gvardiol – Manchester City (Croatia, €90m)

City's Croatian left-back. Champions League winner, 5 assists this season.

7. Alessandro Bastoni – Inter Milan (Italy, €65m)