The Premier League goalkeeper who features twice among Europe’s most costly keepers since Alisson
1)Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea’s Kepa £71.6million
Alisson was the world’s most expensive goalkeeper for only three weeks before Chelsea threw an even larger figure at Athletic Bilbao. It appeared to be a hasty decision, which it should not have been because it had been apparent for months that they would need a new goalkeeper. However, they were forced to pay the then 23-year-old’s release clause to pry him away from Spain, a decision they quickly came to regret. His refusal to be substituted in the Carabao Cup final was the most notable contribution of his first season, and he spent the majority of his second season on Frank Lampard’s bench. Chelsea eventually acquired Edouard Mendy, but they could benefit from replacing both this summer.
2)Thibaut Cortois Chelsea to Real Madrid. £35million
As a result of Courtois’ transfer to Real Madrid, Chelsea threw so much at Kepa. And boy, did he have to earn it! The Belgium goalkeeper, who was about to enter the final year of his contract, expressed his desire to join Real Madrid prior to, during, and after the 2018 World Cup, but he missed the first few days of preseason training to ensure that he was heard. Mr. Tickle in gloves had a shaky start in Madrid, but he recovered quickly. Extremely f***ing excellent.
3) Jasper Cillessen (Barcelona to Valencia) £31.4million
Neto (Barcelona to Valencia) £27million
Despite Barca’s and Valencia’s best efforts, we must group these transactions together. The Spanish clubs exchanged goalkeepers less than twenty-four hours apart, with Neto leaving on the final day of the 2019 financial year and Cillessen, who had spent his Barca career as a backup, arriving on the first day of the next, each for a surprisingly high fee. *faces the photographer
4) Aaron Ramsdale (Sheffield United to Arsenal). £30million
When Arsenal ultimately agreed to pay £30 million plus £6 million in add-ons for a goalkeeper who had been relegated in each of the previous two seasons with Sheffield United and Bournemouth, eyebrows were raised. Ramsdale was recruited to compete with Bernd Leno, but the then-23-year-old quickly displaced him. Ramsdale has been an authoritative figure in Mikel Arteta’s goal, and Leno has received the fresh start he required at Fulham.
5) Edouard Mendy Rennes to Chelsea for £22 million. 20/21
Frank Lampard’s dismissal of Kepa left Chelsea with little choice but to acquire a goalkeeper, so in September 2020 they acquired Mendy from Rennes. Within a year, he won the European Championship under Thomas Tuchel and the African Cup of Nations. Mendy’s fortunes deteriorated, as they did for Tuchel. Due to his numerous errors, he was benched for Tuchel’s final game. Mendy never reclaimed his position behind Kepa and is expected to be among the players shipped to Saudi Arabia.
6) Pau Lopez (Real Betis to Roma) £21million
The Spanish defender relocated to Rome in July 2019 with a single international cap, but the transfer did not go well. “I had lost interest and passion for football. I no longer enjoyed exercising,” said Lopez after escaping Roma and being rescued by Marseille, who returned half of Roma’s investment after a try-before-you-buy loan period.
7) Emi Martinez (Arsenal to Aston Villa) £20million
There are varying estimates regarding the ultimate price paid by Villa for the Argentine goalkeeper. Even at the utmost price of £20 million, Martinez was a ridiculous bargain. He used Arsenal’s rejection as motivation to become one of the greatest players in the Premier League and a World Cup champion. If Villa were to sell now, they could potentially earn three times their initial investment.
8) Juan Musso (Udinese to Atalanta) £17.4million
Musso was recruited by Atalanta for the 2021/22 season after three years of outstanding play at Udinese. His first season was a relative success, but the twice-capped Argentine goalkeeper finished the previous season on the sideline as Marco Sportiello assumed his position. Next season, it is anticipated that Marco Carnesecchi will return from a loan spell at Cremonese to assume goalkeeping duties, with Musso poised to move on.
9)Aaron Ramsdale has moved from Bournemouth to Sheffield United. £18.5million
Three and a half years after selling Ramsdale to Bournemouth for £800,000, Sheffield United re-signed him in 2020 for an exorbitant fee. The Blades suffered the same fate as the Cherries with Ramsdale in goal, but the Stoke-born keeper had already proven himself worthy of a call-up to the England national team. And Blades made a respectable profit within a year.
10) Emil Audero (Juventus to Sampdoria) £17million
Audero, who was born in Indonesia, rose through the ranks at Juventus before being loaned to Samp in 2018 with the option to purchase for 20 million euros. Samp quickly decided to make the arrangement permanent, and Audero has been living with them ever since. Samp finished rock-bottom last season due to financial difficulties, but Audero’s reputation remains intact, with Juve, Lazio, and Inter linked to the 26-year-old; however, Samp may be fortunate to recoup half of the amount they paid for him.
The Premier League goalkeeper who features twice among Europe’s most costly keepers since Alisson