Premier League: Five most expensive signings in history following Fernandez arrival

Chelsea broke a number of records during the January transfer window, with no fewer than seven new players arriving at the club. 

Joao Felix joined on loan from Atletico Madrid, while David Datro Fofana, Andrey Santos and Noni Madueke were also signed.

Defender Benoit Badiashile was recruited from French side Monaco, while Mykhaylo Mudryk looked set to join Arsenal before being lured to south-west London instead.

Chelsea’s final signing of the window was their most expensive though, as midfielder Enzo Fernandez joined The Blues for a record fee.

Here, we take a look back at the five most expensive signings in Premier League history.

1. Enzo Fernandez – Benfica to Chelsea (£108 million)

Fernandez was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge for much of January before eventually signing on deadline day, putting an end to arguably the most talked-about transfer saga of the window. The midfielder had only joined Benfica last summer, but impressed in the Champions League during his six month spell with the club, and played a crucial role for Argentina as they triumphed at the World Cup in Qatar. Fernandez impressed during his Chelsea debut against Fulham on Friday evening, but it will remain to be seen whether or not he will justify the huge sum of money that The Blues have paid for him.

2. Jack Grealish – Aston Villa to Manchester City (£100 million)

Grealish spent seven successful seasons involved with the first team at boyhood club Aston Villa before his mega money move to The Etihad in 2021. The winger made more than 200 appearances for The Villans, but struggled to find his best form during his first season in Manchester. The England international scored just three goals – and provided the same number of assists – in 26 Premier League games last term, but he has improved his offensive output this season. So far this term, the Englishman has scored twice and provided three assists in just 15 league games, and he looks certain to surpass his totals from last term.

3. Romelu Lukaku – Inter Milan to Chelsea (£97.5 million)

Chelsea shocked the footballing world in the summer of 2021 when they paid almost £100 million to re-sign former striker Lukaku. The Belgium international had departed Stamford Bridge back in 2014 having failed to score a single senior goal for The Blues, although he had impressed on loan at both West Bromwich Albion and Everton. Chelsea were persuaded to sign the striker after he netted 24 times and provided 10 assists to help Inter Milan to lift the Serie A title during the 2020/21 campaign. But, during his first season back in west London, Lukaku scored just eight league goals, and he was subsequently loaned back to Inter at the start of the current campaign. The Belgian remains in Italy, although it is unclear where he will play his football next season with his loan spell due to expire this summer.

4. Paul Pogba – Juventus to Manchester United (£89 million)

Pogba’s return to Old Trafford is another story of a Premier League side paying an astronomical fee to sign a player that they had previously let go. France international Pogba left Manchester to join Juventus on a free transfer in 2012, and went on to enjoy huge success in Turin. Pogba made 178 appearances for Juventus during his first spell for the club, scoring 34 goals and providing 40 assists. He was then lured back to United in 2016, with United paying what was then a Premier League record fee to land the Frenchman. His time at Old Trafford was relatively successful, although he was linked with a departure from the club throughout and he ultimately returned to Turin upon the expiry of his contract last summer. In total, Pogba made 233 appearances for The Red Devils, registering a combined 92 goals and assists.

5. Antony – Ajax to Manchester United (£85 million)

Brazil international Antony followed Erik ten Hag from the Eredivisie to Manchester United last summer, commanding a significant fee. The 22-year-old has since shown glimpses of the form he demonstrated in The Netherlands, but Ten Hag will be keen for the player to prove himself during the remainder of the season. So far, Antony has scored five goals and provided just one assist in 23 games for United across all competitions, compared to 24 goals and 22 assists in 82 games for his previous club. United’s form has improved of late, though, and the player might well improve too if The Red Devils can maintain it.