Photo by Wikimedia Commons / Catherine Kõrtsmik, CC by 2.0
While the glamour usually belongs to attackers and midfielders, football clubs, especially the Premier League ones, are now willing to spend big on goalkeepers. This is mostly because the role of modern goalkeepers have changed.
Simply being a good shot-stopper no longer cuts it, top teams want their goalkeepers to have good passing range, distribution skills, and leadership attributes.
That’s why big clubs in the English top-flight have spent lavishly on goalkeepers lately. Let’s have a look at the most expensive goalkeeper signings in the history of the Premier League.
1. Kepa Arrizabalaga: £71.6M – Atheltic Club Bilbao to Chelsea (August 2018)
In the summer of 2018, Chelsea made headlines when they shattered the transfer record for goalkeepers by acquiring Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao.
The London club splurged a staggering £71.6 million to secure the Spanish shot-stopper’s services. Kepa’s arrival was met with immense expectations, but his time at Stamford Bridge was a rollercoaster ride, highlighting the risks and rewards associated with such a monumental investment.
He was sold to London rivals Arsenal in the summer of 2025 for £5 million — a hefty £66.6 million less than what Chelsea originally paid for him.
2. Alisson Becker: £66.8M – AS Roma to Liverpool (July 2018)
Liverpool’s pursuit of Premier League glory led them to invest heavily in Alisson Becker. In the same summer as Kepa’s record-breaking transfer, the Reds finalized a deal with AS Roma, paying approximately £66.8 million for the Brazilian goalkeeper.
Alisson’s arrival provided the necessary stability between the posts and played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s subsequent triumphs, including their UEFA Champions League victory in 2019. The Brazilian already has a Yachine Trophy to his name, and has been nominated for one more after his incredible 2024/25 campaign with Liverpool.
3. Andre Onana: £47.2M – Inter Milan to Manchester United (July 2023)
Erik ten Hag, who previously coached Onana at Ajax, made him his primary choice to replace David de Gea. Manchester United secured his signature from Inter Milan for an initial £43.8 million, with a further £3.4 million in potential add-ons.
During the 23/24 and 24/25 seasons, the Cameroon international was guilty of eight mistakes leading to goals – the most by any goalkeeper in the Premier League within that timeframe.
He came under heavy criticism, with former United midfielder Nemanja Matic branding him ‘one of the worst keepers’ in the club’s history.
4. Ederson: £34.7M – Benfica to Everton (June 2017)
Manchester City, known for their attractive attacking style of play, recognised the importance of a ball-playing goalkeeper and broke the bank to secure the services of Ederson from Benfica.
In 2017, City splashed out £34.7 million for the Brazilian shot-stopper, setting a British transfer record for a goalkeeper at the time. Ederson’s exceptional distribution skills and shot-stopping abilities have since cemented his place as one of the league’s premier goalkeepers.
5. James Trafford £31m – Burnley to Manchester City (2025)
A product of Manchester City’s academy, Trafford signed for Burnley in 2023, spending two seasons at Turf Moor before sealing a £31 million return to the Etihad. The Englishman’s homecoming made him one of the most expensive goalkeeper signings ever in the Premier League.
In fact, he is now the most expensive British goalkeeper in history, ahead of the likes of Jordan Pickford and Aaron Ramsdale.
6. Aaron Ramsdale: £30M – Sheffield United to Arsenal (August 2021)
Arsenal turned to Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale to replace the club’s previous record goalkeeping signing Bernd Leno.
Although the Gunners’ poor run of form couldn’t be attributed to the German stopper, it was generally agreed that Sheffield’s player of the season represented an upgrade.
Ramsdale’s in-your-face style may not have endeared him to the fans of opposing teams, but he has quickly established himself as a firm favourite at the Emirates Stadium.
7. Jordan Pickford: £25M – Sunderland to Everton (June 2017)
Everton, seeking a long-term solution between the posts, made headlines with the acquisition of Jordan Pickford from Sunderland.
The Toffees paid a hefty £25 million for the English goalkeeper in 2017, setting a new record for the highest fee paid for a British goalkeeper. Pickford’s agility and shot-stopping prowess have since earned him a reputation as one of England’s top keepers.
Why Is So Much Spent on Goalkeepers?
The financial landscape of modern football reflects the importance placed on the role of goalkeepers. Premier League teams have consistently broken transfer records to secure top-class shot-stoppers, recognising their ability to single-handedly influence match outcomes.
Whether it is the record-breaking fees paid for Kepa Arrizabalaga and Alisson Becker, the investment in a ball-playing goalkeeper like Ederson, or the pursuit of defensive stability with Aaron Ramsdale and Jordan Pickford, these transfer fees highlight the value placed on securing a reliable presence between the sticks.
As the game continues to evolve, it is likely that we will witness even greater sums being spent on goalkeepers in the future, further solidifying their status as indispensable assets in the world’s most-watched league.
