Arsenal goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Goalkeepers have become increasingly valuable in modern football, with clubs willing to pay record transfer fees for shot-stoppers capable of excelling both between the posts and with the ball at their feet.

Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga remains the world’s most expensive goalkeeper following his £71.6 million move from Athletic Bilbao in 2018. However, the Spaniard struggled to justify his record-breaking price tag during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool’s Alisson Becker ranks second after his £67 million transfer from Roma in 2018. The Brazilian has since established himself as one of the club’s greatest signings, helping Liverpool win the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and several other major trophies.

Manchester United’s Andre Onana occupies third place following his £43.9 million move from Inter Milan in 2023, while Paris Saint-Germain’s Lucas Chevalier is fourth after joining the French champions from Lille for £36.4 million in 2025.

Thibaut Courtois completes the top five following his move from Chelsea to Real Madrid, where he has established himself as one of the world’s leading goalkeepers.

Manchester City’s Ederson is sixth on the list, with the Brazilian playing a key role in the club’s domestic and European success since arriving from Benfica.

Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon ranks seventh. His £32.6 million move from Parma to Juventus in 2001 was a world-record fee for a goalkeeper at the time and stood for 17 years.

Former Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen is eighth following his move to Valencia, while Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and Everton’s Jordan Pickford complete the top 10 after their respective £30 million transfers.

According to a list published by Planet Football on Wednesday, the 10 most expensive goalkeeper transfers are:

Kepa Arrizabalaga – Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea (2018) – £71.6 million

Alisson Becker – Roma to Liverpool (2018) – £67 million

Andre Onana – Inter Milan to Manchester United (2023) – £43.9 million

Lucas Chevalier – Lille to Paris Saint-Germain (2025) – £36.4 million

Thibaut Courtois – Chelsea to Real Madrid (2018) – £35 million

Ederson – Benfica to Manchester City (2017) – £34.7 million

Gianluigi Buffon – Parma to Juventus (2001) – £32.6 million

Jasper Cillessen – Barcelona to Valencia (2019) – £31.4 million

Aaron Ramsdale – Sheffield United to Arsenal (2021) – £30 million

Jordan Pickford – Sunderland to Everton (2017) – £30 million