The 10 most expensive Ligue 1 transfers of all time

Updated: 17 Jun 2026 12:46 BST |
6 min read

Cameron Smith
|
Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

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Ligue 1 has frequently been labelled as a ‘farmer’s league,’ but that description is widely inaccurate.

It is one of the best divisions in world football for developing young talent, with a large proportion of the world’s best players spending time in France. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain are a financial superpower and success in the Champions League feels inevitable.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through the 10 most expensive Ligue 1 transfers of all time.

READ MORE: The 10 most expensive Premier League transfers of all time

10. Ilya Zabarnyi – €63m (Bournemouth to PSG, 2025)

PSG’s only major arrival of the summer of 2025, Zabaryni was signed from Bournemouth to act as a long-term successor to Marquinhos.

Initially, there were concerns that the Ukraine defender had been miscast. There were rumours he had been promised that Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov would be sold and that he was unhappy to play with someone whose country invaded his.

However, his first season ended in success. He played the second-most minutes in Ligue 1 of any PSG player, and while his role in the Champions League victory was peripheral, he appeared in the final as a substitute.

READ MORE: The 10 most expensive La Liga transfers of all time

9. Angel Di Maria – €63m (Man Utd to PSG, 2015)

Angel Di Maria’s time at Man Utd was severely underrated, but the Argentine didn’t particularly enjoy his spell at Old Trafford and PSG took advantage in 2015.

He became a key player for the Parisians and the ex-Real Madrid star racked up over 200 goals and assists in just under 300 appearances for PSG.

After seven years in Paris, Di Maria left the club to join Juventus on a free transfer, before subsequently returning to Benfica.

8. Edinson Cavani – €64.5m (Napoli to PSG, 2013)

Edinson Cavani was always the bridesmaid, never the bride at PSG, but he was incredibly consistent in France.

He joined the club from Napoli in 2013 and although he was largely overshadowed by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, Cavani was a hugely successful signing.

In fact, the Uruguayan even briefly became PSG’s all-time record goal-scorer before Mbappe eclipsed his tally of 200 strikes.

7. Goncalo Ramos – €65m (Benfica to PSG, 2024)

Goncalo Ramos emerged as a household name at the 2022 Qatar World Cup as he displaced Cristiano Ronaldo to become Portugal’s starting striker at the tournament.

Six months later, PSG decided to sign him on loan with an obligation to buy for €65m.

Despite scoring 27 times in his final campaign at Benfica, Ramos only notched 14 goals in all competitions during his season on loan at PSG. Although he has struggled to gain a regular starting spot, his contributions off the bench have been precious.

6. Joao Neves – €65.9m (Benfica to PSG, 2024)

Joao Neves was linked with a host of top European clubs ahead of the 2024 summer transfer window, and PSG were able to fight off significant competition to sign him for just under €60m.

The Portuguese international burst onto the scene as Enzo Fernandez’s replacement at Benfica and quickly established himself as one of the world’s most promising youngsters. He left Benfica having made 75 first-team appearances for the club, scoring four goals.

At PSG, he has emerged as one of the truly elite players in the world, playing a key role in two Champions League wins, with his all-round quality in the middle of the park a defining feature of Luis Enrique’s side.

5. Achraf Hakimi – €68m (Inter to PSG, 2021)

Achraf Hakimi was in high demand following a stellar spell at Borussia Dortmund and a fantastic first season at Inter, and it was PSG who won the race for his signature.

Hakimi helped Inter win the Scudetto during his only season with the club and he immediately became a key player down PSG’s right-hand side.

In the process of joining PSG, Hakimi became the most expensive right-back in football history.

He has since gone on to justify that status, although defining him as a right-back is barely scratching the surface of what he’s given Les Parisiens. An enormous attacking threat who seems to be found as a centre-forward almost as much as he appears in defence.

4. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – €70m (Napoli to PSG, 2025)

After failing with a blockbuster €200m approach for Napoli stars Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in summer 2024, PSG returned for the latter six months later.

Kvaratskhelia had asked to leave Napoli and the Serie A side finally, albeit reluctantly, agreed to sell, with director Giovanni Manna later claiming that they were ‘blackmailed.’

PSG ultimately struck a sizeable €70 million deal for ‘Kvaradona,’ making the Georgian one of the most expensive signings of the 2025 January window. He has become widely recognised as a potential Ballon d’Or candidate for his contributions on the big stage.

3. Randal Kolo Muani – €95m (Eintracht Frankfurt to PSG, 2023)

Just one year after joining Eintracht Frankfurt on a free transfer from Nantes, Randal Kolo Muani returned to France for a whopping fee of €95m.

He scored 23 goals and provided 17 assists during his sole season at Eintracht, while he also caught the eye at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

However, Kolo Muani struggled to become a regular in the starting XI at PSG and joined Juventus on loan in January 2025 and then Tottenham the following summer.

Remains on PSG’s books but his future is uncertain.

2. Kylian Mbappe – €180m (Monaco to PSG, 2018)

Kylian Mbappe initially joined PSG on loan from Monaco, although the deal became permanent for €180m in 2018.

Across a seven-year stint at PSG, Mbappe scored an incredible 256 goals in 308 games, becoming the club’s all-time record goalscorer.

Mbappe left the French capital in the summer of 2024 – joining Spanish giants Real Madrid on a free transfer.

1. Neymar – €222m (Barcelona to PSG, 2017)

Neymar’s move from Barcelona to PSG shocked the entire football world, with the French club agreeing to pay his €222m release clause in full.

The Brazilian was eager to step out of Lionel Messi’s shadow by leaving Camp Nou, but he was unable to win the Ballon d’Or during his time at the Parc des Princes.

Neymar scored 118 goals in 173 PSG games, but he was consistently injured at crucial parts of the season and he left the club to join Al-Hilal for €90m in 2023.

The 10 most expensive Ligue 1 signings of all time

Cameron Smith is a Digital Content Producer for FootballTransfers, having joined the team upon its inception in November 2020.

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