What is Arsenal’s record transfer fee? The Gunners spent years in the financial wilderness shortly after they moved to the Emirates Stadium in 2006 and often had to sell their finest assets to replenish their squad. Arsene Wenger was more than capable of unearthing gems and untested talent but times have changed since he retired in 2018.
Arsenal’s transfer targets in recent years have seen the north Londoners sign some of the finest players in world football for huge sums, and they have also been the victims of overpaying for those who have not justified their hefty price tags. Here at SportsLens, we take a look at Arsenal’s transfer record and Arsenal’s most expensive players.
What Is Arsenal’s Record Transfer?
Arsenal’s record transfer was the £100m they parted with to sign Declan Rice in July 2023. Rice’s transfer fee potentially rises to £105m with performance related add-ons, making the 24-year old the most expensive English signing between Premier League clubs of all-time, surpassing Jack Grealish’s move to Manchester City in 2021.
Rice has featured in 23 games for the Gunners this season in all competitions and has netted three Premier League goals, with his most recent coming against Luton Town in a 4-3 win at Kenilworth Road. Rice is likely to form a major part of Arsenal’s team for years to come and will prove pivotal if they are to win their first title since 2004.
🔴⚪️ Arteta reveals: "When I spoke to Declan Rice, he mentioned to me many times from day one: I just want to play for Arsenal and I want to play with you".
"He maintained his word to the last moment and we were good enough to acquire him…". pic.twitter.com/pIHnYZT1kx
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 9, 2023
Arsenal’s Most Expensive Players
Arsenal’s most expensive players – excluding Declan Rice as the record signing – have all come since Arsene Wenger left the club. The only exception is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who the Frenchman signed in January 2018. The Gabonese international striker would go on to help Arsenal win the FA Cup in 2020 and he also won the Premier League Golden Boot in 2019.
Nicolas Pepe (£72m), Kai Havertz (£62m), Aubameyang (£56m) and Ben White (£50m) are the next most expensive Arsenal players and barring Pepe, all have proven to be a hit in the red half of north London. Havertz is admittedly still finding his feet but he has looked much more assured in recent weeks for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Latest Arsenal Transfer News
The latest Arsenal transfer news has seen the Gunners linked with a move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney, with the Gunners keen to add an out-and-out striker to their ranks to help boost their Premier League title hopes. Toney has been a huge hit since he helped Brentford gain promotion to the top flight in 2021.
The England international also sent Gunners fans into a frenzy with a recent Instagram post, which subtly hinted he is an admirer of Mikel Arteta’s side. Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz and Fulham’s João Palhinha have also been rumoured with a move to the Emirates, but there is certainly more weight in the Toney links. From Declan Rice’s perspective, you’d have to imagine he’d be happy with any of the trio joining, but just as long as they don’t cost more than him!
Note: Don’t forget, the best UK betting sites have all the latest 2023/24 Premier League markets and odds ahead of the festive period.
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