Manchester United have made two big moves in the transfer window once again to strengthen the squad in pursuit of silverware.
Raphael Varane will join Jadon Sancho at the club, with BBC Sport reporting Manchester United have agreed a fee with Real Madrid for the defender.
Varane and Sancho are now among Manchester United’s record transfers, but where exactly do they fit in?
United have spent many high fees through the years, with mixed success. Below is a run down of the club’s 21 most expensive incoming transfer fees of all time…
Manchester United’s most expensive transfers of all time
- Paul Pogba
Signed from Juventus in 2016: £89 million
- Harry Maguire
Signed from Leicester City in 2019: £80 million
- Romelu Lukaku
Signed from Everton in 2017: £75 million
- Jadon Sancho
Signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2020: £72.6 million
- Angel di Maria
Signed from Real Madrid in 2014: £59.7 million
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Signed from Crystal Palace in 2019: £50 million
- Bruno Fernandes
Signed from Sporting in 2020: £47 million plus add-ons
- Fred
Signed from Shakhtar in 2018: £47 million
- Juan Mata
Signed from Chelsea in 2014: £37 million
- Anthony Martial
Signed from Monaco in 2015: £36 million plus add-ons
- Donny van de Beek
Signed from Ajax in 2020: £35 million plus add-ons
- Raphael Varane
Signed from Real Madrid in 2021: £34.2 million plus add-ons
- Victor Lindelof
Signed from Benfica in 2017: £31 million
- Dimitar Berbatov
Signed from Tottenham in 2008: £30.75 million
- Rio Ferdinand
Signed from Leeds in 2002: £30 million
- Eric Bailly
Signed from Villarreal in 2016: £30 million
- Ander Herrera
Signed from Athletic Bilbao in 2014: £29 million
- Juan Sebastian Veron
Signed from Lazio in 2001: £28 million
- Marouane Fellaini
Signed from Everton in 2013: £27.5 million
- Wayne Rooney
Signed from Everton in 2004: £27 million
- Luke Shaw
Signed from Southampton in 2014: £27 million
- Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2016: £26.5 million
Hits and misses
We have tried to keep the above list simple with the main transfer fees as opposed to including add-ons as the main fee. Otherwise Amad would be in there, but just £19 million of his £37 million fee was paid up front, with the rest in incentive laden bonuses. Indeed, Anthony Martial’s Ballon d’Or clause is unlikely ever to be activated.
There have been many hits and misses through the years. Some would argue United have not got full value on the £89 million paid for Paul Pogba, but the club have had five years out of him. Angel di Maria lasted just one, and Romelu Lukaku only two seasons.
Bruno Fernandes already looks like a bargain, and hopefully in time Jadon Sancho will represent similar value for money.
Lower down the list, British players like Luke Shaw, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand have all provided outstanding value to the club over their careers. Hopefully Sancho can do the same.
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