Top 20 transfer fees of the summer window, as of 21 August 2026
Premier League clubs and teams worldwide have already spent more than £2bn in the summer transfer window, and the BBC has compiled the 20 most expensive deals globally as of 13:00 BST on 21 August 2026.
The list is based on fees reported by the BBC, with potential add-ons noted separately where applicable. England attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers joined Chelsea from Villa for a British record fee of £117m on a six-year deal; the 23-year-old had 10 goals and six assists in 37 league appearances last season.
Bayern Munich completed the signing of Morocco attacker Saibari on a contract running until 2031 after his standout season with PSV; the 25-year-old was named Eredivisie player of the year after scoring 15 goals and providing eight assists in 27 league appearances and scored three times for Morocco at the 2026 World Cup.
Brighton paid heavily to secure 19-year-old Croatia defender Vuskovic following an impressive loan at Hamburg in which he scored six Bundesliga goals and was named in the team of the season. Tottenham paid Brighton £52m for Jan Paul van Hecke; the Netherlands defender started 36 Premier League games last season and reunites with his former Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi.
Italy international Palestra, aged 21 and Serie A's defender of the year last season, became Xabi Alonso's first signing at Chelsea as an attacking right-back. Manchester United paid £48m for Brazil midfielder Santos as the first permanent signing under head coach Michael Carrick; the 22-year-old started only 13 Premier League games last season but is regarded as a long-term addition.
Villa made Manzambi their most expensive signing, with an initial fee that could rise through add-ons; the 20-year-old was the Europa League's young player of the season after Freiburg's run to the final, and he contributed three goals and two assists for Switzerland at the World Cup. Marc Cucurella returned to Spain after publicly criticising Chelsea's hierarchy; the 28-year-old, who previously played for Barcelona, was part of the Spain squad who won the World Cup this summer.
Chelsea agreed a £52m deal for Lacroix after negotiations with Crystal Palace stretched beyond the World Cup; the centre-back helped Palace win the Conference League and made three appearances for France at the tournament. Dutch midfielder Reijnders left Manchester City after one season to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah, with City recouping £52m for the 28-year-old who registered six goals and seven assists in 47 appearances last term.
West Ham's Sorba Summerville opted for a move to Saudi Arabia despite reported interest from Manchester United and Roma; the Netherlands winger scored seven goals and supplied five assists for relegated West Ham last season and added two goals and two assists for his country at the World Cup. Liverpool's signing of 21-year-old Jacquet, agreed in January, sees a France Under-21 defender who has recovered from a shoulder injury join a Reds defence being reshaped under new boss Andoni Iraola.
Ramos, 25, became Ruben Amorim's first signing as Milan manager and the Italian club's record purchase, leaving PSG after scoring 45 goals in 131 appearances across three seasons in France. Rodri has left Manchester City; the 30-year-old Ballon d'Or winner and Spain captain was noted in the report as having been central to City's control in midfield and build-up play and one of the Premier League's most reliable ball-progressors and passers.
Gordon signed for Barcelona after a 17-goal season for Newcastle, including 10 in 12 Champions League appearances; the 25-year-old England winger also registered a goal and three assists at the World Cup. Bruno Guimaraes, 28, left Newcastle for Premier League champions Arsenal on a four-year deal after scoring nine Premier League goals last season and finishing the World Cup with four assists in five matches.
Tottenham broke their transfer record to sign Fernandes after one season at West Ham; the 21-year-old Portugal midfielder made 36 league appearances, scored three goals, provided four assists and won 54 tackles. Spurs then signed Sandro Tonali to north London for an initial £92.5m with add-ons potentially taking the deal to £100m; the 26-year-old said a conversation with compatriot De Zerbi played a major part in convincing him to join.
Real Madrid won the race for Diomande in a deal that could be worth £120m including add-ons; the 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger was Bundesliga young player of the season after recording 12 goals and eight assists and also impressed at the World Cup. Manchester City broke their transfer record to sign Anderson, the 23-year-old having played in all 38 Premier League games for Forest last season and described City as "winners - the sort of team I want to be a part of"; he was briefly the most expensive British footballer ever before being surpassed by Morgan Rogers.
The BBC's compilation of the 20 most expensive transfers worldwide is correct as of 13:00 BST on 21 August 2026, with reported fees and any potential add-ons listed where applicable.
