Goalkeepers have become some of the most valuable players in modern football, with elite clubs increasingly willing to spend heavily on players who can combine traditional shot-stopping with distribution, composure, and ball-playing ability.

That has produced several record-breaking deals, although none has yet surpassed the fee Chelsea paid for Kepa Arrizabalaga in 2018.

Kepa remains the most expensive goalkeeper in football history after Chelsea paid £71.6 million to sign him from Athletic Bilbao. The deal shattered the previous record for a goalkeeper, although his time at Stamford Bridge was marked by inconsistent performances and debate over whether he justified the size of the transfer fee.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker sits second on the list following his £67 million move from Roma in 2018. Unlike several expensive goalkeeper transfers, Alisson quickly became a major figure at Anfield and played an important role in Liverpool’s domestic and European success.

Andre Onana ranks third after Manchester United signed him from Inter Milan for £43.9 million in 2023. His arrival reflected the growing importance clubs place on goalkeepers who can contribute to build-up play as well as make saves.

Lucas Chevalier occupies fourth place after completing a £36.4 million move from Lille to Paris Saint-Germain in 2025.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois completes the top five. The Spanish giants paid Chelsea £35 million for the Belgian in 2018, and he has since established himself as one of the leading goalkeepers of his generation.

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson is sixth following his £34.7 million transfer from Benfica in 2017. The Brazilian became an important part of Manchester City’s possession-based system and contributed to the club’s success in England and Europe.

Gianluigi Buffon remains one of the most significant names on the list. Juventus paid Parma £32.6 million for the Italian in 2001, setting a world-record fee for a goalkeeper that remained unbroken for 17 years.

Jasper Cillessen ranks eighth following his £31.4 million move from Barcelona to Valencia in 2019.

Aaron Ramsdale and Jordan Pickford complete the top 10. Ramsdale joined Arsenal from Sheffield United for £30 million in 2021, while Everton paid the same amount to sign Pickford from Sunderland in 2017.

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

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