Manchester United have repeatedly broken their own transfer records across different eras. The club’s biggest purchases have spanned midfielders, forwards and defenders, with fees rising sharply as the Premier League’s commercial power grew.
From British-record deals in the early 2000s to multi-million-pound packages involving guaranteed sums plus add-ons in the 2020s, the scale of spending has changed dramatically.
This article ranks Manchester United’s most expensive permanent first-team signings for the men’s side based on reported transfer fees, distinguishing initial/guaranteed amounts from potential maximum packages where sources provide that detail.
Who Is Manchester United’s Most Expensive Signing?
Paul Pogba remains Manchester United’s record signing. He returned from Juventus in August 2016 for a reported fee of approximately £89 million (around €105 million at the time).
Published figures can vary slightly depending on whether sources include performance-related add-ons, currency conversions or other elements of the package.
The commonly cited figure that established the club record is in the region of £89m.
This article ranks transfers by their reported initial or guaranteed fee; potential add-ons are shown separately.
Manchester United’s Most Expensive Signings
The primary ranking is based on the guaranteed/initial transfer fee, while potential add-ons are shown separately and do not determine the ranking.
| Rank | Player | Initial/Guaranteed Fee | Add-ons | Maximum Reported Package |
| 1 | Paul Pogba | ~£89m | Reported extras | ~£89m+ |
| 2 | Antony | ~£81.3m | ~£4–5m | ~£85m |
| 3 | Harry Maguire | £80m | — | £80m |
| 4 | Romelu Lukaku | £75m | Up to £15m reported | Up to ~£90m |
| 5 | Jadon Sancho | ~£73m | — | ~£73m |
| 6 | Benjamin Šeško | £66.26m | £7.36m | £73.62m |
| 7 | Carlos Baleba | £65m | £5m | £70m |
| 8 | Bryan Mbeumo | £65m | £6m | £71m |
| 9 | Rasmus Højlund | £64m | £8m | £72m |
| 10 | Matheus Cunha | £62.5m | — | £62.5m |
Paul Pogba — Juventus
Paul Pogba returned to Manchester United from Juventus in August 2016 in a deal reported at around £89 million.
BBC Sport reported a €105 million transfer fee, with performance-related bonuses and other costs potentially increasing the overall amount.
He had originally left United as a youngster. The midfielder was 23 at the time of the move. United signed him as a central figure under José Mourinho.
In his first season back he contributed to Europa League and EFL Cup success.
Across his second spell he made over 230 appearances and scored nearly 40 goals according to widely reported career totals.
He left as a free agent in 2022. The transfer remains the club’s highest reported fee.
Antony — Ajax
Antony joined from Ajax in late August 2022 for an initial fee reported at approximately £81.3 million (€95 million), with potential add-ons taking the package toward £85 million.
The left-footed right winger was 22 and had previously worked under Erik ten Hag. He was signed to provide attacking width and creativity.
He contributed to EFL Cup and FA Cup successes. His United output was more limited than expected at Ajax, and he later moved on via loan and permanent transfer.
The deal stands as the second-highest reported fee in club history.
Harry Maguire — Leicester City
Harry Maguire arrived from Leicester City in August 2019 for a reported £80 million, a world-record fee for a defender at the time.
The centre-back was 26. He was signed to strengthen the defence and later captained the side.
He has made well over 200 appearances, scored goals from set pieces, and collected EFL Cup and FA Cup medals.
His role has varied with different managers and squad changes, but the transfer fee remains the highest paid by United for a defender.
Romelu Lukaku — Everton
Romelu Lukaku moved from Everton in July 2017 for an initial reported £75 million, with some sources citing potential add-ons that could take the package higher (up to around £90 million in contemporary reporting).
The striker was 24 and already a proven Premier League goalscorer. He scored regularly in his two seasons, finishing with 42 goals in 96 appearances according to compiled records, before departing for Inter Milan.
The fee made him one of the most expensive forwards in United’s history at the time.
Jadon Sancho — Borussia Dortmund
Jadon Sancho joined from Borussia Dortmund in July 2021 for a reported fee of around £73 million (€85 million).
The England winger was 21 and highly rated after strong performances in the Bundesliga. United pursued him as a creative attacking option.
His Premier League and overall output at Old Trafford was lower than anticipated. He experienced loans and later left.
The original transfer fee is distinct from any subsequent moves.
Rasmus Højlund — Atalanta
Rasmus Højlund arrived from Atalanta in August 2023 for an initial £64 million plus up to £8 million in add-ons (reported maximum £72 million).
The Danish striker was 20. He was signed as a long-term centre-forward option.
He scored in the Champions League and contributed Premier League goals in his early seasons, and was part of an FA Cup-winning campaign.
Later developments included loans and a permanent departure. The focus remains on the original fee structure and his development trajectory at the time of signing.
Carlos Baleba — Brighton & Hove Albion
Carlos Baleba completed his move from Brighton in August 2026. The reported structure was an initial £65 million plus up to £5 million in add-ons (maximum package £70 million).
The Cameroon international midfielder, aged 22, signed a five-year contract with an option for a further year.
He joined as part of a midfield rebuild. Because the transfer is recent, long-term performance data is limited at the time of writing.
Benjamin Šeško — RB Leipzig
Benjamin Šeško joined from RB Leipzig in August 2025. Sky Sports reported his deal as £66.26m + £7.36m add-ons, for a £73.62m maximum package.
The Slovenian centre-forward was 22. He was signed to lead the attacking rebuild.
Club sources and reports noted goals in his first campaign (around a dozen in all competitions according to contemporary profiles). He formed part of a significant summer outlay on forwards.
Bryan Mbeumo — Brentford
Bryan Mbeumo moved from Brentford in July 2025 for an initial £65 million plus up to £6 million in add-ons (reported package up to £71 million).
The Cameroon forward had extensive Premier League experience and strong goal contributions at Brentford. He was signed for attacking versatility and productivity.
Reports from his first season at Old Trafford credited him with a solid goal return in all competitions. The fee reflects both his proven output and the modern Premier League market.
Matheus Cunha — Wolverhampton Wanderers
Matheus Cunha joined from Wolves in June 2025 after United triggered a £62.5 million release clause. The Brazilian attacker, aged 26, offered versatility across forward positions.
He arrived as part of the same attacking overhaul and contributed in his first season.
The fixed release-clause figure provides a clear reported cost without complex add-on structures in the primary reporting.
Manchester United’s Transfer Record Through the Years
United’s internal record has risen steadily with market inflation and commercial growth.
| Era | Player | From | Reported Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early 2000s | Rio Ferdinand | Leeds United | ~£30m | 2002 |
| Mid-2010s | Ángel Di María | Real Madrid | ~£59.7m | 2014 |
| 2016 onward | Paul Pogba | Juventus | ~£89m | 2016 |
Earlier British-record deals (such as those involving Andy Cole or Juan Sebastián Verón) were overtaken by Ferdinand, then Di María, and finally Pogba.
The jump from the low-to-mid tens of millions into the £50m–£90m range reflects broader Premier League revenue growth and global competition for talent.
Manchester United’s Most Expensive Signings by Position
| Position | Most Expensive Signing | Initial/Guaranteed Fee | Potential Package |
| Goalkeeper | André Onana | £43.8m | £47.2m |
| Defender | Harry Maguire | £80m | £80m |
| Midfielder | Paul Pogba | ~£89m | Higher with reported bonuses |
| Forward | Antony | ~£81.3m | Up to ~£85m |
What Is Manchester United’s Most Expensive Signing in 2026?
Paul Pogba remains the all-time record holder by reported fee. Carlos Baleba’s August 2026 arrival from Brighton (£65m guaranteed plus up to £5m add-ons) ranks among the club’s largest recent purchases but does not overtake the 2016 figure.
Distinction between the historical record and the most recent major outlay is important.
Conclusion
Manchester United’s transfer record has moved from the British-record era of the early 2000s into a modern market in which £50m, £70m and £80m-plus deals for elite players have become routine.
Paul Pogba’s 2016 return still stands as the club’s highest reported fee.
The 2020s have brought a cluster of high-value arrivals across attack and midfield, reflecting both squad needs and the continued rise in transfer market values.
Fees will continue to be shaped by commercial scale, competition for scarce talent, and the specific structure of each deal (guaranteed sums versus add-ons).
Accurate ranking depends on transparent methodology rather than single undifferentiated numbers.
