Tottenham Hotspur have completed a deal to sign Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth for a fee that could reach a club-record figure including add-ons.
The North London side spent big on Solanke after a 19-goal campaign in the Premier League last season, securing his signature in a deal that catapulted the centre-forward into the list of the most expensive English footballers ever.
The 10 most expensive English footballers ever:
10. John Stones and Raheem Sterling (£47.5m)
John Stones and Raheem Sterling kick off this list having each been signed for £47.5m. Manchester City snapped up Stones after his impressive performances at Everton and the defender has been a cornerstone of the club’s modern success.
Since swapping Merseyside for Manchester, Stones has won six Premier League titles, four domestic cups and the Champions League among his honours.
How will John Stones be deployed by Pep Guardiola in the 2024/25 season?
The six-time Premier League champion joined @ManCity on this day in 2016 ⏪ pic.twitter.com/EfeJ16mgqK
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 9, 2024
Stones’ long-time Manchester City teammate Sterling shares 10th place, after his transfer from the Citizens to Chelsea in 2022. The winger scored 131 appearances across seven seasons with City but has struggled to replicate those performances in the capital.
9. Ben Chilwell, Ben White and Aaron Wan-Bissaka
A trio of full-backs feature in ninth, with the modern role having seen big fees spent on a previously under-appreciated position.
Chelsea have handed Leicester some huge fees recently, including a £50m sum for Ben Chilwell in 2020. The left-back won the Champions League in his debut season but has struggled with injuries in recent campaigns.
Ben White joined Arsenal for £50m in 2021 after shining on the south coast at Brighton and has become a fundamental part of their recent improvement, after transitioning from central defence to right-back.
Finally, Aaron Wan-Bissaka joined Manchester United in a deal that could reach £50m in 2019. The full-back’s elastic-legged defending has won plenty of plaudits but he has struggled to show he can be a top-level full-back in the final third. An exit from Old Trafford is imminent.
8. Mason Mount (£55m)
Manchester United capitalised on Chelsea’s failure to agree a new contract with Mason Mount, signing the fan favourite in a £55m deal last summer. It’s been a tough time for Mount since the transfer, however, with injuries decimating his debut season.
7. Dominic Solanke (£65m)
Dominic Solanke enters this list at number seven after signing for Spurs in a deal that could reach £65m.
Solanke struggled to score goals during his early seasons as a Premier League player but burst into life last season with 19 in the top flight for Bournemouth. His displays have persuaded Spurs to spend big on his services, hoping he can be the club’s long-term successor to Harry Kane.
We are delighted to announce the signing of Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth.
Welcome to Tottenham, Dominic! ????
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 10, 2024
6. Jadon Sancho (£73m)
Manchester United finally got their man after signing Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £73m in 2021.
After a long pursuit, Sancho arrived as part of an exciting summer of recruitment but has failed to live up to expectations in the Premier League. After an underwhelming first two seasons, he was loaned back to Borussia Dortmund in 2023/24 after a public fallout with United manager Erik ten Hag.
5. Harry Maguire (£80m)
Harry Maguire became the most expensive defender in football history when he completed an £80m move from Leicester to Manchester United.
The centre-back had shone for England at the previous summer’s World Cup and was named Manchester United captain just six months after his Old Trafford arrival. However, some shaky performances and (occasionally unfair) media scrutiny have played a part in the tale of his time with the club.
4. Harry Kane (£86m)
Harry Kane’s search for elusive silverware saw the England captain leave Tottenham for Bayern Munich in 2023.
The German giants secured the striker’s signature in an £86m deal and were rewarded with 44 goals in 45 appearances from Kane during a prolific first season. Kane won the European Golden Shoe during his first season in Munich, though team honours again evaded him as Bayern ended a campaign without a trophy for the first time since 2011/12.
Harry Kane, what a goal ???? pic.twitter.com/MM1w5k8D1M
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 20, 2023
3. Jude Bellingham (£88m)
Real Madrid beat competition from the Premier League to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund last summer.
The midfielder opted for Spanish football over the Premier League and justified his price tag with a brilliant debut campaign. Bellingham scored 23 goals in 42 appearances as Real Madrid won a La Liga and Champions League double. He was named La Liga’s Player of the Season for 2023/24.
BELLINGHAM!!!! ????????
For the second time this season, Jude Bellingham wins ElClásico for Real Madrid in stoppage time ???? pic.twitter.com/1yw1yyFZeR
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 21, 2024
2. Jack Grealish (£100m)
Jack Grealish became the first £100m player in the Premier League after Manchester City activated the winger’s release clause at Aston Villa in 2021.
Grealish has won three consecutive Premier League titles at the Etihad and was a key part of the club’s treble success in 2022/23. However, more will be demanded from Grealish this season after struggling for status under Pep Guardiola last term.
1. Declan Rice (£105m)
Declan Rice holds the title as England’s most expensive footballer, after joining Arsenal in a £105m deal from West Ham.
Rice had captained West Ham to Europa Conference League success in his final season at the London Stadium before making an instant impact across the capital. An integral part of Arsenal’s title challenge, he finished as runner-up for the FWA Footballer of the Year award in 2023/24.
Rice from long range ???? pic.twitter.com/wtbB9zfNE3
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 12, 2024
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