Top 10 most expensive winter transfers in history

The January transfer window offers clubs a chance to rebalance their teams ahead of the second half of the season. Whether it is to patch up something wrong in the squad or to make up for a player's departure, there seems to always be a sense of emergency during the winter session.

This has led to various exciting - and a lot of the times overpriced - moves over the past few seasons. In this list, we take a look at the most expensive deals that have taken place in the European market.

Top 10 most expensive winter transfers in history:

10. Goncalo Ramos - €65 million

The Portuguese striker joined Paris Saint-Germain on loan from Benfica in the summer of 2023. However, the Parisians exercised the option to buy him just a few months later, making him a permanent player of the club in the January transfer window of the 2023/24 campaign.

9. Bruno Fernandes - €65 million

Manchester United finalised a €65million deal with Sporting Lisbon for Bruno Fernandes in 2020, making him the club's most expensive winter signing ever. The Portuguese midfielder, now wearing the captain's armband, has been one of the Red Devils' bright lights despite their troubling form in recent seasons.

8. Aymeric Laporte - €65 million

The now-Al Nassr centre-back joined Pep Guardiola's side from Athletic Club in January 2018. The Spain international's €65million-price tag puts him in eighth place in this ranking, but it also makes him the 12th most expensive defender of all time. 

7. Mykhaylo Mudryk - €70 million

The Ukrainian could still reach the €100million mark if he meets the conditions of his bonuses. Highly wanted by both Chelsea and Arsenal, Mudryk ended up choosing the west London side when he left Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023.

6. Omar Marmoush - €75 million

Manchester City's struggles this season have prompted the English champions to spend big money on in-form man Omar Marmoush, who was shining in the Bundesliga with Frankfurt. The Egyptian star is the most expensive signing of this winter session, alongside the next player on the list.

5. Kvicha Kvaratskhelia - €75 million

Paris Saint-Germain are known to splash out money when in need. So, looking at their disappointing Champions League run this term, it is no surprise to see them invest €75 million in the Georgian gem following his outstanding performances with Napoli in the past couple of seasons.

4. Dusan Vlahovic - €83.5 million

Stealing headlines in Serie A with 'La Viola', Juventus pounced on the Serbian striker to nick him away from Fiorentina in January 2022. Inter Milan were also keen on the player, but the 'Nerrazzurri' were not able to place €83.5 million on the table to seal the deal and make Vlahovic the fourth most expensive winter singing of all time.

3. Virgil Van Dijk - €83.5 million

Van Dijk arrived from Southampton in December 2017 and became the most expensive winter signing in history - but was dethroned just six days later by another ex-Liverpool player. The Reds spent €84.65 million for the now- Liverpool captain, putting him in the the podium places in this list.

2. Enzo Fernandez - €121 million

Fresh off an impressive World Cup campaign with winners Argentina, Chelsea fought long and hard to bring the young Benfica midfielder to Stamford Bridge. Having spent the whole month of January trying to sign him, the Blues finalised the deal when their €121 million was accepted by the Lisbon outfit.

1. Philippe Coutinho - €135 million

The Brazilian left Liverpool at the peak of his career to become Neymar's successor at Barcelona, following the latter's move to PSG. The Catalan giants forked out €135 million to sign him in January 2018, but the move quickly revealed itself as one of the biggest disasters in the history of the sport. Coutinho's performances quickly went downhill, forcing the club to send him out on loan a couple of times.