Top 10 most expensive African players in history

10- Riyad Mahrez: 67.8 million euros

Following a fantastic 2015/16 season capped by a Premier League title for Leicester City, Riyad Mahrez was transferred to Manchester City, who paid 67.8 million euros to the Foxes. Mahrez had scored 18 goals and provided 10 assists in 39 matches in all competitions, earning him the Premier League MVP title.

9- Achraf Hakimi: 68 million euros

Already among the best in the world at his position when leaving Inter Milan in 2021, Achraf Hakimi cost Paris Saint-Germain a small fortune at the time. The capital club actually spent 68 million euros to secure the services of the Moroccan right-back. Five years later, Achraf Hakimi is an absolute reference at his position and became African Ballon d'Or winner (2025) with two new Champions League titles added to his record.

8- Iliman Ndiaye: 70 million euros

This is one of the surprises of this summer transfer window. While it was almost a given he would leave Everton, very few expected Iliman Ndiaye to join a club of Manchester City’s caliber. But Enzo Maresca believed in his talent and sensational dribbling ability one-on-one, which will bring a different profile to the right side of the Cityzens’ attack. Man City spent 75 million euros to sign the Lion.

7- Bryan Mbeumo: 75 million euros

A year ago, Manchester United broke the bank for Bryan Mbeumo, who had a stellar season with Brentford, scoring 20 goals and providing 9 assists in 42 matches in all competitions. The Red Devils put 75 million euros on the table to acquire the Indomitable Lion.

7- Omar Marmoush: 75 million euros

Before becoming a secondary player at Manchester City where he didn’t have time to win over Pep Guardiola, leaving after his first season, Omar Marmoush was one of the best players in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt. The Sky Blues actually put 75 million euros into Frankfurt’s coffers to recruit the Pharaoh in the summer of 2026.

5- Carlos Baleba: 75.9 million euros

After two years at Brighton, Carlos Baleba showed he had reached a new level and was ready for a bigger challenge. That’s when Manchester United stepped in, putting 75.9 million euros on the table to sign the Cameroon international. The Indomitable Lion, called to play a key role under Michael Carrick at Old Trafford, enters the Top 5 of the most expensive African players in history.

4- Victor Osimhen: 78.9 million euros

If the market got even more out of control this summer, Oliver Létang didn’t wait long to sell Victor Osimhen for a hefty 78.9 million euros to Napoli in 2020. And he was right, since young Osimhen – just 21 at the time – for his first (and only) season with LOSC, scored 18 goals and provided 6 assists in 36 matches in all competitions. The Super Eagle didn’t disappoint and delivered the Scudetto to the Partenopei in 2023.

3- Nicolas Pépé: 80 million euros

Before Victor Osimhen, Lille had already sold Nicolas Pépé for a massive fee. In summer 2020, the Ivorian right winger was transferred to Arsenal for 80 million euros, a record at the time for an African player. Unfortunately, Pépé failed to establish himself at the Emirates Stadium and reportedly had disagreements with Mikel Arteta, which did not help his integration either.

2- Ayyoub Bouaddi: 100 million euros

This summer, Lille achieved the biggest sale in its history with the departure of Ayyoub Bouaddi to Manchester City for 100 million euros. At just 18 years old, the Moroccan midfielder, who impresses with his maturity and technical quality, joins the Cityzens to form a trio with Anderson and Enzo Fernandez.

1- Yan Diomandé: 125 million euros

Transferred to Real Madrid this summer for 125 million euros, Yan Diomandé is to date the most expensive African player in history. The 19-year-old Ivorian winger cost a fortune for Los Blancos, where José Mourinho is protecting him and gradually integrating him into his team as he adapts to life with the Merengue. Leipzig, who long resisted advances from several top European clubs, made an excellent deal. It’s now up to Diomandé to prove himself at the Bernabéu.

*Please note that all prices mentioned in this article are base amounts before bonuses and are taken from the specialist website Transfermarkt.