Top five most expensive transfers in the 2021 summer window

Superstars like Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo switched allegiance during the window.

The summer transfer window of 2021 has come to an end. The period where clubs make transfers to strengthen their squads ahead of the new season saw a lot of movement. The market was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but that did not stop the football clubs from splashing cash to bring in their desired targets.

There were many high-profile transfers but many of them were loans and free deals, like Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain. However, signing other world class players did incur a huge cost due to their quality and importance. The competition for players is always high due to more suitors, which leads to high transfer fees across the board.

Here are the top five most expensive transfers in the summer window of 2021:

5. Ben White (€58.5 million)

Arsenal were the highest spending club in the summer transfer window. They spent €165.6 million on new arrivals at the London-based club. One of their main and the most expensive transfers is Ben White. The English international made the summer move from Brighton & Hove Albion after a lot of anticipation.

However, the center-back had a tough start to life at the Emirates Stadium. White conceded a defeat in his Premier League debut against Brentford and proceeded to contract COVID-19 later. Having said that, the 23-year-old has been brought in with an eye towards building a team for the future.

4. Achraf Hakimi (€60 million)

Achraf Hakimi is one of the most sought-after full-backs in Europe. He had a memorable season with Inter Milan last year and was linked to many clubs over the transfer period. The 22-year-old cost Paris Saint-Germain €60 million to sign from the Italian outfit who were willing sellers. 

PSG brought in players like Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos and Gianluigi Donnarumma to the French capital. However, Hakimi was the most expensive arrival at the club. The right-back will hope to lift the UEFA Champions League in a star-studded squad managed by Mauricio Pochettino. 

3. Jadon Sancho (€85 million)

Manchester United finally secured the signing of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund in the summer window. The Red Devils had to wait an extra year to bring the Englishman back to England after negotiations for a deal collapsed last time. The 20-time English champions had to pay less than what was quoted last year by the Bundesliga club. 

The Red Devils paid €85 million for the highly rated winger, making him one of the most expensive transfers in 2021. He is also the third-most expensive signing at the club behind Paul Pogba and Harry Maguire. The former Manchester City academy product was one of the four major arrivals at Old Trafford in the transfer window. 

2. Romelu Lukaku (€115 million)

The Belgian's career made a full circle after he signed for Chelsea in the summer. Lukaku cost a whopping €115 million to the reigning UEFA Champions League winners. The striker was a Chelsea player before moving to Everton, Manchester United and then Inter Milan and scored many goals at each of those clubs.

Chelsea could not let go of the opportunity to bring Lukaku back to London as Inter Milan were looking to cut their losses. Furthermore, this deal makes Lukaku the most expensive signing in the history of the club. 

1. Jack Grealish (€117.5 million)

Jack Grealish finally made a big-money move after many years of speculation. The former Aston Villa skipper joined Manchester City in the summer. The deal to sign the English attacker cost the the club €117.5 million. Grealish was highly impressive for England at the UEFA Euro 2020 and was ready to move for a bigger challenge.

He has also become the most expensive British player after this move. The move also marked Manchester City's club record signing. He has also become the most expensive signing made by a Premier League club ever. 

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