Chelsea splashed ยฃ30m on Leicester City’s N’Golo Kante over the weekend – but where does the France international rank among the most expensive deals of the summer transfer window so far?
The window doesn’t close until 31 August but clubs have already been spending big to secure the services of their favoured targets.
Here we run through the top 20 most expensive deals involving European clubs so far.
Hulk – Zenit to Shanghai SIPG for ยฃ46.1m
After four seasons in Russia with Zenit St Petersburg, Brazilian striker Hulk became the most expensive Chinese Super League signing yet when he agreed to join Shanghai SIPG in June. The ยฃ46.1m fee could rise with add-ons.

Sadio Mane – Southampton to Liverpool for ยฃ36m
Southampton to Liverpool has become a well-trodden path in recent years, with Mane following his former team-mates Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Nathaniel Clyne to Anfield after two seasons on the south-coast.
Granit Xhaka – Borussia Monchengladbach to Arsenal for ยฃ34m
Xhaka became Arsenal’s first signing of the summer as Arsene Wenger moved to strengthen his central midfield. The Swiss international arrives in north London after impressing for Switzerland at Euro 2016

Michy Batshuayi – Marseille to Chelsea for ยฃ33.2m
A host of Premier League clubs were interested in Belgian striker Batshuayi, but Antonio Conte’s Chelsea beat the likes of West Ham and Tottenham to his signature with a deal worth ยฃ33.2m.
N’Golo Kante – Leicester to Chelsea for ยฃ30m
After playing a starring role in Leicester’s historic Premier League title triumph last season, Kante signed a five-year contract at Chelsea for a fee of ยฃ30m.

Mats Hummels – Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich for ยฃ31.5m
Germany defender Hummels became the latest Borussia Dortmund player to move to their arch-rivals, following his former team-mates Robert Lewandowksi and Mario Gotze.
Eric Bailly – Villarreal to Manchester United for ยฃ30m
Bailly became Jose Mourinho’s first signing as Manchester United manager with a ยฃ30m move from Spanish side Villarreal. The Ivory Coast international penned a four year contract at Old Trafford.

Renato Sanches – Benfica to Bayern Munich for ยฃ27.5m
Bayern Munich made Sanches one of the most expensive teenagers in history when they wrapped up a deal with Benfica before Euro 2016. The fee is worth an initial ยฃ27.5m, and there are believed to be hefty add-ons.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United for ยฃ26.3m
After 11 goals and 15 assists in 31 Bundesliga appearances for Borussia Dortmund last season, Mkhitaryan made a ยฃ26.3m switch to Old Trafford. The German side’s position was weakened as the playmaker was entering the final year of his contract.
Miralem Pjanic – Roma to Juventus for ยฃ25.4m
After winning Serie A for a fifth consecutive season, Juventus sealed a ยฃ25.4m move for Bosnian midfielder Pjanic, strengthening their squad and weakening that of one of their closest rivals.

Grzegorz Krychowiak – Sevilla to PSG for ยฃ21.8m
Krychowiak had been linked with Arsenal after two impressive seasons with Sevilla, but French giants Paris Saint-Germain eventually won the race for his signature.
Alvaro Morata – Juventus to Real Madrid for ยฃ24m
Speculation over Morata’s future has been rife this summer, but he looks set to stay at boyhood club Real Madrid after they activated their clause to buy him back from Juventus.

Breel Embolo – Basel to Schalke for ยฃ22m
After emerging as one of the most exciting young players in Europe at Swiss side Basel, teenage striker Breel Embolo sealed a ยฃ22m move to German side Schalke.
Ilkay Gundogan – Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City for ยฃ21m
Pep Guardiola made Germany midfielder Gundogan the first signing of his Manchester City revolution. The 25-year-old is still recovering from a knee injury, but he arrived at the Etihad Stadium on a four-year contract for a fee of ยฃ21m.

Samuel Umtiti – Lyon to Barcelona for ยฃ21m
Central defender Umtiti sealed a ยฃ21m move to Barcelona after a string of impressive displays for France at Euro 2016.
Nico Gaitan – Benfica to Atletico Madrid for ยฃ19.7m
Gaitan has repeatedly been linked with Manchester United over the years, but the Argentine midfielder has joined his countryman Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid.
Vincent Janssen – AZ to Tottenham for ยฃ18.6m
Tottenham paid ยฃ18.6m for Eredivisie top scorer Janssen to provide much-needed competition for Harry Kane up front.

Kevin Volland – Hoffenheim to Bayer Leverkusen for ยฃ17m
Bayer Leverkusen raided Bundesliga rivals Hoffenheim for their highly-rated forward Volland. The 23-year-old is a Germany international who can play anywhere across the front line.
Ahmed Musa – CSKA Moscow to Leicester for ยฃ15m
Leicester strengthened their forward line with the addition of Nigeria international Musa. The Foxes hope his electric pace will make him a good fit for their counter-attacking style.
Jordon Ibe – Liverpool to Bournemouth for ยฃ15m
Bournemouth broke their transfer record to clinch the signing of Ibe. The 20-year-old was attracted by the prospect of regular first-team football at Eddie Howe’s side.
Leave a Reply