African football is renowned for producing a rich pool of talented players and it’s no surprise that most of these top talents have gone on to make their mark in the footballing world. They have written their names into history books with impressive displays and have secured lucrative transfer deals when moving between clubs.
Here are the top 5 most expensive transfers involving African footballers.
Nicolas Pepe (Lille to Arsenal, £72 million)
Ivory Coast winger Nicolas Pepe is the most expensive African footballer in history, following his £72 million move from Lille in the French League to English Premier League giants Arsenal in 2019.
Pepe impressed in the 2018/19 season with Lille, scoring 23 goals and providing 12 assists but struggled to justify the hefty amount the Gunners paid for his signature. His contract was terminated in 2023 after failing to impress manager Mikel Arteta. The 30-year-old currently plies his trade in Spain with Villareal.
Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City to Manchester City, £60 million)
Algerian forward Riyad Mahrez swapped Leicester City for Manchester City in 2018 for £60 million. The forward grew into an integral figure in his time at the Cityzens, playing a major role as the club secured the treble in 2023.
Mahrez won 11 trophies, including four English Premier League titles for Manchester City before departing for Saudi Premier League side Al Ahli in 2023, where he has already won the AFC Champions League title
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal, £56 million)
Gabon striker Aubameyang secured a high-profile switch from Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal in 2018 for £56 million. The forward produced impressive numbers at the North London side, winning the EPL golden boot award in 2018-19 alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane with 22 goals.
Aubameyang scored 92 times for the Gunners before leaving in 2022 after falling out with Mikel Arteta. He won the FA Cup and Community Shield during his four-year spell at Arsenal.
Achraf Hakimi (Inter Milan to Paris Saint Germain, £58.7 million)
Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi is the fourth-most expensive African footballer in history by virtue of his £58.7 million move from Inter Milan to PSG in 2021. The right-back has grown into one of the best footballers in the world, with his constant runs forward and brilliant defensive awareness.
Hakimi was influential as the French side claimed a first European crown, scoring the opening goal in the 5-0 rout of his former side Inter Milan in the 2025 UEFA Champions League final. The 26-year-old also won the Ligue One title and the Coupe de France as part of a historic treble and will hope to add the FIFA Club World Cup title to cap an impressive campaign.
Naby Keita (RB Leipzig to Liverpool, £48 million)
The Guinea captain rounds up this list after he completed a move from Red Bull Leipzig to Liverpool in 2018. The 30-year old struggled with consistency at Anfield, dealing with various injury troubles before finally leaving the club in 2023 after the expiration of his contract.
Keita won seven trophies at the Reds, including the UEFA Champions League title in 2019.
