Ranked: Arsenal’s top five most expensive signings ever
Arsenal are splashing the cash this summer as the Gunners target their first Premier League title in over 20 years.
Mikel Arteta has signed plenty of players in his time at the club and the Spaniard now needs to deliver silverware to the club.
The Gunners have not hit the highest transfer fees in history and the build of Emirates Stadium restricted their transfer spend for many years.
Arsenal now though are in a strong financial position to acquire top targets and ranked below are the Gunners’ five most expensive signings of all time, as per transfermarkt.
5 – Viktor Gyokeres (£55million)
Arsenal signed Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres for a fee of £55m, not including add-ons, this summer meaning the 27-year-old is already there fifth most expensive signing ever.
Arteta’s priority was a striker this summer, and he struck a deal with Gyokeres over other target Benjamin Sesko.
Gyokeres overtakes fellow striker Pierre-Emrick Aubameyang on the list, and some Arsenal fans believe the club has yet to replace the Gabon international.
Aubameyang hit 69 Premier League goals in his four years in North London and Gyokeres will have the pressure on him to hit similar numbers.
4 – Martin Zubimendi (£60million)
Martin Zubimendi is another summer arrival for Arsenal at a cost of nearly £60m from La Liga side Real Sociedad.
Zubimendi is a defensive midfielder whose job will be to protect the Arsenal back four and allow Arsenal’s attacking players to flourish.
The 26-year-old turned down a move to Liverpool in 2024 to stay in Spain, but has not committed his future to Arsenal.
3 – Kai Havertz (£65million)
Kai Havertz switched Chelsea for their London rivals Arsenal in a £65m deal in 2023.
The move was eye catching as Havertz, despite scoring the winner in a Champions League final, had failed to impress in his time at Stamford Bridge.
Havertz still causes debate amongst the Arsenal support over whether he has been a good signing for the club.
The German though looks to be replaced up-front due to the capture of Gyokeres will now become the club’s number one striker.
2 – Nicolas Pepe (£72million)
Nicolas Pepe was once Arsenal’s club record signing when he arrived in the Premier League for £72m.
The winger joined from Lille with high expectations following a successful period in France, however the move did not work out for Pepe.
| Apperances | 112 |
| Goals | 27 |
| Assists | 21 |
Signed under now Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, Pepe was sent out on loan under Arteta in 2022 to Nice and alongside the emergence of Bukayo Saka, the winger could not force his way into the side.
Arsenal did not recoup any money spent on Pepe, as he joined Turkish club Trabzonspor on a free transfer in 2023.
1 – Declan Rice (£105million)
Declan Rice joined Arsenal from West Ham for a staggering £105m in 2023 and the English midfielder has been a hit at the Emirates.
The 26-year-old is now a pivotal player for Arsenal and England and his box-to-box style is crucial to Arteta’s system.
Rice came through the youth ranks at West Ham and won the Europa Conference League trophy with the Hammers.
West Ham did not want to let Rice leave, but the money offered was too much for the club to turn down.