In football, while forwards are usually the ones who score goals, goalkeepers do the opposite job, which is preventing goals. They use all their abilities to keep their team's goal intact and prevent conceding. Saving a goal sometimes has a value a thousand times greater than scoring one. Moreover, in modern football, the position and role of goalkeepers are even more crucial. Therefore, big clubs spare no expense in recruiting outstanding goalkeepers, leading to exorbitant transfer fees. In the article below, let's rank the most expensive goalkeeper is in history with admin Wintips. Let's guess who they are!
Who is the most expensive goalkeeper all of the time?
1. Kepa Arrizabalaga (€80m)
Kepa Arrizabalaga is the most expensive goalkeeper in the world, with a transfer fee of €80 million when he moved from Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea in 2018. He has played a crucial role in Chelsea’s success, contributing to their triumphs in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and Club World Cup.
He is a talented young goalkeeper with excellent skills such as quick reflexes, solid catches, and the ability to position himself well inside and outside the goal. However, Kepa has also encountered some problems recently. He made several mistakes in matches, causing Chelsea to concede goals. This cost him his starting spot in Chelsea's lineup.
2. Alisson (€65m) - The most expensive goalkeeper
Alisson Becker is one of the most expensive goalkeepers in the world, with a transfer fee of 62.5 million euros from AS Roma to Liverpool in 2018. He is a Brazilian goalkeeper with excellent skills such as quick reflexes, solid catches, and the ability to position himself well inside and outside the goal.
Alisson can perform all the duties of a goalkeeper effectively, from catching the ball and positioning himself inside and outside the goal area to commanding the defense. He has played a crucial role in helping Liverpool win major trophies such as the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and FIFA Club World Cup. He is also a key member of the Brazilian national team.
3. Gianluigi Buffon (€53m) - The most expensive goalkeeper
Ranked third among the most expensive goalkeepers in the world, Gianluigi Buffon was transferred for €52.88 million from Parma to Juventus in 2001. He is an Italian goalkeeper known for his excellent skills, including quick reflexes, safe handling, and the ability to position himself well inside and outside the goal area.
Buffon has made many important contributions to Juventus' victories in major competitions such as Serie A, Coppa Italia, and the Champions League. He was also a key member of the Italian national team and helped Italy secure the World Cup title in 2006.
4. Andre Onana (€50m)
Andre Onana's presence between the posts provides a sense of security for his team, as his authority and ability to organize the defense instills confidence in his teammates. His agility and athleticism allow him to make acrobatic saves and intervene effectively in one-on-one situations. Additionally, Onana's distribution skills are top-notch, enabling him to initiate quick counterattacks with accurate long-range passes or precise throws to launch his team's offensive transitions.
Off the field, Onana is known for his professionalism and leadership qualities. He serves as a role model for younger players both at the club level and on the international stage. Despite his young age, he has already established himself as one of the premier goalkeepers in world football. His potential for further development suggests that he could become one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation.
5. Gianluigi Donnarumma (€45m) - The most expensive goalkeeper
It would be remiss to overlook Gianluigi Donnarumma on the list of the most expensive goalkeepers in the world, as he commanded a transfer fee of €45 million from AC Milan to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. AC Milan had made numerous attempts to extend his contract, but PSG’s lucrative offer proved too tempting for Donnarumma to turn down.
Donnarumma has made significant contributions to AC Milan's achievements in Serie A, Coppa Italia, and Supercoppa Italiana. He is also an integral part of the Italian national team. Particularly noteworthy is Donnarumma's youth and potential for further development, making him a strong candidate to become one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world.
6. Mike Maignan (€45m) - The most expensive goalkeeper
Another one of the most expensive goalkeepers in the world is Mike Maignan – a French goalkeeper currently playing for AC Milan in Serie A. He joined AC Milan for 45 million euros in 2021. Maignan is a goalkeeper with quick reflexes, excellent positioning, and good situational judgment.
Maignan is considered a well-rounded goalkeeper who can adapt to various defensive systems. He started playing football at an early age and made his professional debut for Lille in 2015. He later guided Lille to the Ligue 1 title in 2021. After joining AC Milan, Maignan played a key role in their Serie A triumph in 2022.
7. Diogo Costa (€45m)
Costa, now Portugal’s first-choice goalkeeper, stands out for his exceptional footwork and ability to make precise long passes from the back, both by hand and foot. His proficiency with his feet allows him to stay composed under pressure, effectively dealing with opponents' pressing while offering passing options to his teammates.
Costa is a talented goalkeeper with excellent reflexes, strong command of his penalty area, and an impressive clean sheet record, having kept clean sheets in more than half of the matches he played up until the 2022-23 season.
8. Thibaut Courtois (€45m) - The most expensive goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois, the Belgian goalkeeper currently playing for Real Madrid in La Liga, is also on the list of the most expensive goalkeepers in the world. He is currently regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Courtois is valued at €45 million and ranks 7th among the most expensive goalkeepers.
He helped Real Madrid win the La Liga titles in 2019, 2020, and 2022, the UEFA Champions League in 2018 and 2022, and the UEFA Super Cup in 2019, 2020, and 2022. Courtois is widely regarded as a complete goalkeeper, capable of adapting to various defensive systems. This season, injuries have limited the former Chelsea star's appearances for Real Madrid. However, he is expected to make a swift return.
9. Ederson (€40m) - The most expensive goalkeeper
Ederson Moraes, the Brazilian goalkeeper currently playing for Manchester City in the Premier League, is among the most expensive goalkeepers in the world. Ederson is known for his excellent footwork, especially his long-passing ability. He also possesses great anticipation and exceptional reflexes.
He helped City win the Premier League title in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022; the FA Cup in 2018 and 2019; the League Cup in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021; and the UEFA Champions League in 2021. The Brazilian goalkeeper has consistently held the number 1 position as Manchester City's first-choice goalkeeper, as well as for the national team.
10. Aaron Ramsdale (€40m)
On the morning of August 21, 2021, Arsenal officially announced the signing of Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United on their website. According to Sky Sports, the 'Gunners' spent £24 million, with additional clauses based on his contributions to the club. Sheffield United could receive up to £30 million from Ramsdale’s transfer, depending on performance-based clauses.
Additionally, Bournemouth would receive a 15% sell-on fee if Arsenal were to sell the goalkeeper to any club for more than £19 million. After signing the 23-year-old goalkeeper, the Emirates Stadium-based club permitted backup goalkeeper Alex Runarsson to depart. Ramsdale is Arsenal's fifth signing in the summer 2021 transfer window. Previously, the Emirates-based team signed defender Ben White, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Martin Ødegaard, and Nuno Tavares.
Conclusion
The world's top goalkeepers are often associated with hefty transfer values. However, as mentioned at the beginning of the article, investing in goalkeepers in modern football is crucial. Goalkeepers often initiate scoring opportunities. Therefore, they fully deserve the high price tags attached to them. We hope you enjoy this article and continue to support our best online bookmaker website even more.
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