Strikers always steal the spotlight in transfer windows, and summer 2025 has been no different. From Ekitike to Liverpool to Osimhen to Galatasaray, big-money No. 9s are on the move. But where do these deals rank among the most expensive striker signings ever, including legends like Cristiano Ronaldo?
5. Harry Kane to Bayern Munich – €120 million
- Club Signed From: Tottenham Hotspur
- Nationality: England
- Appearances After Signing: 96
- Goals For New Club: 85
- Trophies Won At New Club: 1x Golden Boot (Europe), 2x Bundesliga Top Scorer, 1x UEFA Champions League Top Scorer, 1x Bundesliga.
Bayern Munich paid English side Tottenham Hotspur €100m as a fixed fee plus add-ons up to €20m for the England captain. In his final season in the Premier League, Kane scored a whopping 30 goals in 38 league matches for Spurs. Looking to end his trophy drought, Kane moved abroad to join German giants Bayern Munich.
4. Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea – €115 million
- Club Signed From: Inter Milan
- Nationality: Belgium
- Appearances After Signing: 44
- Goals For New Club: 15
- Trophies Won At New Club: 1x FIFA Club World Cup
In his second season with Inter Milan, Lukaku helped them secure the Scudetto with another 24 goals. His impressive performances for the Nerazzurri earned him a move back to Chelsea. The move is now looked back on as one of the most expensive mistakes in history.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus – €117 million
- Club Signed From: Real Madrid
- Nationality: Portugal
- Appearances After Signing: 134
- Goals Scored For New Club: 101
- Trophies Won At New Club: 2x Serie A Footballer of the Year, 1x Serie A Top Scorer, 2x Serie A, 1x UEFA Nations League, 1x Coppa Italia, 2x Supercoppa Italiana
After leading Real Madrid to a three-peat in the Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo decided it was time to take on a new challenge. However, Ronaldo never won the Champions League with Juventus, let alone reach the final. 101 goals in 134 appearances still boast as an excellent goal-scoring record for one of the greatest goal scorers of all time.
2. Antoine Griezmann to FC Barcelona – €120 million
- Club Signed From: Atletico Madrid
- Nationality: France
- Appearances After Signing: 102
- Goals Scored For New Club: 35
- Trophies Won At New Club: 1x Copa del Rey
Griezmann played a catalyst role in Atletico Madrid’s rise to power under Diego Simeone, but he never bore fruit for his labour. He failed to find their feet in the famous Blaugrana colours. Two seasons later, Griezmann headed back to Madrid. It is a sad sight as Antoine Griezmann never added a La Liga title to his trophy cabinet.
1. Kylian Mbappe To Paris Saint-Germain – €180 million
- Club Signed From: AS Monaco
- Nationality: France
- Appearances After Signing: 308
- Goals For New Club: 256
- Trophies Won At New Club: 5x Ligue 1 Player of the Year, 6x Ligue 1 Top Scorer, 1x FIFA World Cup, 6x Ligue 1, 1x UEFA Nations League, 4x Coupe de France, 3x Trophée des Champions, 2x Coupe de la Ligue.
It takes a certain generational talent to not only compete with but outshine the likes of Neymar and Messi. Mbappe scored 26 goals in 44 games for Monaco as they reached the Champions League semi-finals and won Ligue 1 against all odds.
Conclusion
This list has a look at the most expensive goal-scorers in footballing history. Cristiano Ronaldo, despite being one of, if not the greatest, goal scorer of all time, ranks relatively lower on this list. This list is clear evidence that millions spent do not translate to goals or success.
Written by: Thillai Ritvik
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