The most expensive Premier League XI of all time | OneFootball

Florian Wirtz’s transfer to Liverpool has seen the German midfielder join the most expensive XI in Premier League history.

All figures are inclusive of add-ons.

The most expensive Premier League XI of all time

Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga – Chelsea (£71.8m)

Chelsea made Kepa Arrizabalaga the most expensive goalkeeper of all time in 2018, signing the Spanish shot-stopper for £71.8m from Athletic Club. Kepa was seen as an exciting up-and-coming talent but failed to live up to expectations in West London.

He helped the Blues to Europa League success in his debut campaign but lost his place to Edouard Mendy in 2020/21. In recent seasons, Kepa has spent time on loan at Real Madrid and Bournemouth and is expected to join Arsenal in a cut-price £5m deal this summer.

Right-back: Joao Cancelo – Manchester City (£60m)

Joao Cancelo became the most expensive right-back in history when joining Manchester City from Juventus. The deal for the Portugal international equated to a £60m package, with £27.4m and Danilo in part exchange.

Cancelo won three league titles at the Etihad and was twice named in the PFA Team of the Season. After falling out of favour, he spent time on loan at Bayern Munich and Barcelona before joining Al-Hilal in 2024.

Centre-back: Harry Maguire – Manchester United (£80m)

Manchester United broke the world transfer record for a defender to sign Harry Maguire from Leicester City in 2019. The defender had impressed on the international stage with England, helping the Three Lions to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.

Maguire has made 246 appearances in what has been an up-and-down time at Old Trafford. He was appointed captain under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but saw the armband removed during Erik ten Hag’s tenure.

Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool (£75m)

After a failed move to sign Virgil van Dijk in the summer window, Liverpool returned with a record-breaking offer in January 2018. Funded by Philippe Coutinho’s record sale, the Reds spent £75m on the Southampton centre-back, a record for a defender at that time.

The Dutchman has been a dominant figure in a decorated period. His honours include the Champions League and two Premier League titles, captaining the club to the latter success in 2024/24. He is one of just three defenders to win the PFA Player of the Year award (2018/19) in the Premier League era.

Left-back: Josko Gvardiol – Manchester City (£77m)

Manchester City beat competition from Europe’s top clubs to land Josko Gvardiol in 2023. The Croatian had caught the eye at RB Leipzig before moving to the Premier League in a £77m deal.

Gvardiol has been a big hit at the Etihad and is regarded as one of Europe’s best young defenders. The 23-year-old was named Manchester City’s Player of the Year in 2024/25.

Midfield: Moises Caicedo – Chelsea (£115m)

Moises Caicedo signed for Chelsea for a record fee in 2023, the second time the Blues had broken the British transfer record in just six months.

The Ecuadorian endured a mixed first season at Stamford Bridge but rediscovered his brilliant ball-winning in 2024/25. Caicedo claimed Chelsea’s Player of the Year award last season after a season of consistent midfield dominance.

Midfield: Declan Rice – Arsenal (£105m)

Declan Rice departed West Ham having captained the club to a first major trophy in 42 years. Arsenal sealed the signing of the midfielder from their London rivals, as Mikel Arteta’s team prepared to return to the Champions League.

Rice was runner-up for the FWA Footballer of the Year in his debut campaign and has elevated his game to new heights at the Emirates. The 26-year-old scored nine goals and created 10 more in 2024/25, including two fantastic free-kicks against Real Madrid. The all-action midfielder is a crucial part of the Arsenal side.

Midfield: Enzo Fernandez (£106.7m)

Fresh from helping Argentina to World Cup success in Qatar, Enzo Fernandez moved to Chelsea in January 2023. The deal was a British record at that time and capped a remarkable rise for the midfielder, who had moved to Benfica from River Plate just six months earlier.

Fernandez was an important part of Chelsea’s qualification for the Champions League and Europa Conference League success last season.

Right-wing: Florian Wirtz – Liverpool (£116m)

Florian Wirtz has catapulted himself into this side as potentially the most expensive signing in Premier League history. The German’s move to Liverpool will be worth £116m if add-ons are met.

Liverpool have spent big on one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. Wirtz was the inspiration behind Leverkusen’s first-ever Bundesliga title in the 2023/24 season, achieved without losing a single game. He has been voted the Bundesliga’s Player of the Season in each of the last two campaigns.

Left-wing: Jack Grealish – Manchester City (£100m)

Jack Grealish became the Premier League’s first £100m footballer when Manchester City activated the winger’s release clause at Aston Villa. Grealish departed his boyhood side in search of silverware and has won a wealth of team honours at the Etihad.

He has lifted three league titles and the Champions League with City but has struggled to command a key role. Grealish has averaged just 15 league starts per season and is expected to move on this summer.

Forward: Romelu Lukaku – Chelsea (£98.5m)

Romelu Lukaku’s return to Chelsea appeared an ideal fit on paper. The Belgian had scored an abundance of goals in the Premier League previously and signed for the Blues after two prolific campaigns at Inter Milan.

However, it failed to work out. Lukaku scored just eight league goals and alienated the fanbase with a controversial interview in December. Speaking to Sky Italia, he criticised Thomas Tuchel’s tactics and expressed a desire to return to Inter “in the near future”.

Lukaku was loaned back to Inter at the end of the campaign.

Read – Every footballer signed for £100m as Wirtz joins Liverpool

See more – Eight transfers you might have missed this summer

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