Africa has been
producing some of the best footballers for years now. These players end up
playing for some of the world's most prestigious clubs such as Real Madrid, FC
Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool etc.
Such clubs are never shy
of paying huge sums of money to secure signatures of the best talents across
the world.
This article sheds light
on most expensive African footballers at all time.
10. Islam Slimani – $35 million
Leicester City, the surprise Premier League champions in the
2015/16 season, brought in the Algerian striker midway through their dream
season for $35 million.
Unfortunately, the 30 -year old is yet to make a considerable
impact in the club, and was loaned out to Newcastle United in January 2018.
9. Eric Bailly – $36 million
The Ivorian carries the distinction of being the most expensive
defender in this list, as he moved from Villarreal to English giants Manchester
United for $36 million.
8. Hakim Ziyech – $41 million
The Moroccan has been one of
Africa's best players in the last three years.
His stellar season (2018/2019) with
Dutch side Ajax, made him one of the most coveted forwards.
Ziyech recently signed a
pre-contract with Chelsea which will see him move to Stamford Bridge one's the
season ends.
7. Sadio Mane – $42 million
The reigning Africa player of the
year transfer from Southampton did cost Liverpool $42 million.
Since his move, Mane has cemented
his place one of the finest wingers in the world today and forged a deadly
striking partnership with fellow Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah.
6.
Mohamed Salah is a player who needs
no introduction.
Albeit that, his move from As Roma
to Liverpool has helped establish him as one of football best players.
His contributions have helped
transform Liverpool into an unstoppable force, winning the Champions league and
Salah himself bagging a couple of individual awards.
5. Nabby Keita – $64 million
After a stellar first season with RB
Leipzig Naby Keita Signed a pre-Contract with Liverpool in 2017 which saw him
join the Anefield Reds at the end of 2017/2018 season. The fee of his
transfer $60 million.
4. Pierre Emrick Aubameyang – $68 million
On January 2018,
Aubameyang signed for Arsenal, for a then-club-record fee, reported to be
$68 million.
His move can after 5 seasons with
Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, where he scored 144 goals in 213 matches.
3. Riyad Mahrez – $72 million
Following Leicester city Premier
league winning season in 2016, Mahrez move away from King Power stadium seemed
imminent.
With clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea,
Manchester city salivating for the Algerian's signature, Leicester were not
willing to sell their Star player below asking price.
It resulted Mahrez abstaining
training in order to force his transfer to Manchester city in 2018. His $72
million move made him the most expensive African player at the time.
2. Cedric Bukambu – $79 million
Cedric Bukambu is not only the
second most expensive African player but also the best paid in the continent.
He made a big money transfer from
Villareal to Chinese super league side Beijing Guoan in 2018, where he is paid
£307,000 weekly.
1. Nicolas Pepe – $89 million
Having recorded 35 goals in 74
matches for Ligue 1 club Lille, it was time to move for Nicolas Pepe.
It was premier league giants Arsenal
who moved in for the player, agreeing to pay $89 million making the Ivorian the
most expensive African player.