Who are the most expensive goal-keepers of all time?
Usually, when we talk about the biggest transfers in football, it is forwards who top the list. Forwards score goals and are the biggest stars of the team, as the last line of defense, the goal-keeper, stands in the shadows. And in the same light, here is the list of five most expensive goal-keepers of all time.
Bravo moves from Barcelona to City
Bravo came to prominence after his move from Sociedad to Barcelona, in 2014, for a sum of €12 mn (£9.7 mn). In his first season with the Blaugrana, the Chilean international won the treble and the Zamora Trophy. In 2016, Bravo made a move to Manchester City in a transfer worth £17.1 mn after winning two consecutive Copa America titles as his country's captain.
The best goal-keeper doesn't come cheap
From Thibaut Courtois to David de Gea, Atletico Madrid have produced some amazing goal-keepers. The Atletico-bred David de Gea went to Manchester United at the young age of 20 when they were looking for a replacement of the Dutch hero Edwin van der Sar. United recognized his potential and paid the Madrid outfit £18.3 mn for their future 3-time 'Player of the Year'.
The club's biggest icon had a hefty price
The World Cup winner Gigi Buffon was the most expensive goal-keeper, for 16 long years, since he joined Juventus from Parma in 2001 (£32.6 mn) . The 10-time Serie A winner is also the holder of the longest streak without conceding a goal in the league's history. He is one of the biggest icons of Juventus but, in 2018, he moved to PSG.
The Sao Paolo man broke the record
Ederson started his career in Brazil with Sao Paolo. He moved on to Portugal where he played for 2 different clubs for a period of four years and then joined Benfica. Benfica then announced on July 1, 2017 that they have sold Ederson to Manchester City for £34.7 mn. He became Pep Guardiola's 1st choice for the goal-keeper, taking the place of Bravo.
The costliest goal-keeper of all time
Liverpool have managed to secure the signature of their top transfer target, this summer, by laying their hands on Alisson. The Reds have paid AS Roma a sum of €72.5 mn (or £66.8 mn) to sign the Brazilian goal-keeper. Buying one of the best goal-keepers was a top priority for Liverpool after a dismal performance by Karius in the 2018 Champions League final.
