10 of the Most Expensive Everton Signings in History

Everton have recently been marked by shoddy spending habits, often choosing to pump out large fees for players who have then gone on to very little to justify the large outlays. It could be seen as a problem with their scouting or with the general mess that has surrounded the club over the last few years, but the fact remains that they need to be much much more careful when it comes to spending the big bucks.

Out of this list, while Everton have made money on a few of these players, only Jordan Pickford and Romelu Lukaku can be said to have been successful buys for the club.

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List of The Most Expensive Everton Signings

10. Yannick Bolasie

Yannick Bolasie joined Everton from Crystal Palace in 2016 for a hefty £25 million fee. Renowned for his pace, dribbling, and trickery, he showed glimpses of brilliance. However, a devastating knee injury in 2016 derailed his Everton career.

In total, Bolasie made just 32 appearances, scoring two goals. His time at Goodison Park was marked by frustration as he struggled to regain his original form and fitness.

Loan spells to Aston Villa, Anderlecht, Sporting Lisbon, and Middlesbrough failed to reignite his career. Ultimately, Yannick’s Everton stint is remembered as a story of what could have been and Bolasie is remembered as a streets won’t forget player.

9. Michael Keane

Keane joined Everton in 2017 for £25m, signing a five-year deal. Despite initial promise as a youngster, the Englishman’s Everton career has been inconsistent. Plagued by defensive errors and periods of inconsistency, he’s managed 234 appearances, scoring 11 goals.

While he’s captained the side and signed a contract extension in 2020, his performances have often drawn criticism. Everton’s defensive struggles in recent seasons have frequently highlighted Keane’s limitations. While Keane remains at Everton, it has been a couple of seasons since he has been a starter.

8. Jordan Pickford

Pickford joined Everton from Sunderland in 2017 for a then-record £25m fee for a British goalkeeper. Since then, the goalkeeper has been Everton’s undisputed number one and has established himself as one of the best shot-stoppers and distributors in the English game.

Pickford has also faced criticism for occasional high-profile errors. He’s been a consistent presence for The Toffees, amassing over 200 appearances. Despite Everton’s defensive struggles, Pickford has often been a standout performer, earning England’s number-one jersey.

The Englishman’s contract extension in 2022 solidified his long-term future at the club. He is widely regarded as Everton’s best player.

7. Yerry Mina

Yerry Mina remains one of Barcelona’s many bizarre signings. However, he had shown enough in his stint with the Blaugrana to tempt The Toffees into buying him. Yerry Mina joined Everton from Barcelona in 2018 for £27 million.

The Colombian defender was renowned for his aerial prowess and physicality, but his Everton career was plagued by injuries. The Columbian was a menace in the box from set pieces. In his 93 appearances across all competitions, he scored 11 goals, often contributing significantly when fit.

Mina’s impact was undeniable when available, as he provided a strong defensive presence. However, his injury record limited his game time, stopping him from truly reaching his potential.

Despite being popular with the fan base, the 29-year-old contract expired in 2023, marking the end of his injury-marred Everton journey. He presently plays for Cagliari in Italy.

6. Moise Kean

Moise Kean joined Everton from Juventus in 2019 for a club-record £27.5m fee. The young Italian forward was seen as a promising talent in Italy but struggled to adapt to the Premier League. In 39 appearances, he scored just four goals, leading to loan spells at PSG and Juventus.

Kean’s Everton stint was characterized by inconsistency and a lack of impact. His departure in 2023 on a permanent deal back to Juventus marked the end of a disappointing chapter for both the player and the club.

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5. Alex Iwobi

Alex Iwobi joined Everton from Arsenal in 2019 for a fee of £28 million. When he arrived, he was more of a winger but eventually, he was transformed into a central midfielder, where some of his best performances came.

In 155 appearances for The Toffees, he contributed 14 goals and 12 assists. Iwobi’s versatility, technical ability, and work rate made him a key player for Everton during his stint at the club.

While the club struggled in relegation battles, Iwobi’s performances and grit were often crucial for their survival. His departure to Fulham in 2023 for £22 million marked his stint with the Toffees, a period where he rediscovered himself and transformed his career.

4. Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku might be a very criticised player these days but the player’s Everton career was a prolific one. Initially on loan from Chelsea in 2013, he quickly established himself as a Premier League force to be reckoned with, scoring 15 goals in his first season. Everton made the move permanent in 2014 for £28 million.

Over three seasons, Lukaku netted an impressive 68 Premier League goals, becoming the club’s top scorer in the Premier League era. His physicality, clinical finishing, pace and aerial ability made him a nightmare for defenders.

Despite his goal-scoring exploits, Everton couldn’t secure Champions League football, leading Lukaku to join Manchester United in 2017 for a British record fee of £75 million.

3. Amadou Onana

Amadou Onana joined Everton from Lille in 2022 for a fee of around £31 million. In his two-year spell, he made 72 appearances, heavily impressing in midfield. The Belgian international scored three goals, but his main strengths lay in his work rate, physicality and defensive contributions.

Onana established himself as one of the best all-round midfielders in the league. Naturally, he was scouted by most of the big clubs. His performances in Euro 2024 led to rumors of a move to the likes of Manchester United and Barcelona. Ultimately, he departed for Aston Villa in a £50 million deal in 2024.

2. Richarlison

Richarlison joined Everton from Watford in 2018 for £40 million, quickly becoming a fan favorite. He became much adored for his tenacity and goal-scoring ability. The Brazilian netted 53 times in 152 appearances for the Toffees. The striker was instrumental in Everton’s survival despite facing repeated relegation battles.

Richarlison’s talent was undeniable, and so was his fighting spirit. His departure to Tottenham Hotspur in 2022 for £60 million left a lot of fans sad. Richarlison’s maverick personality and sometimes inconsistent finishing have often been criticized but the Toffees fans have always stuck by the player even after his departure.

1. Gylfi Sigurðsson

Gylfi Sigurðsson arrived at Everton in 2017 as a club-record signing for a £40 million transfer fee (with £5 million in add-ons). He had been one of the league’s best creators for Swansea and was renowned for his creativity and set-piece abilities. However, his stint at the club was strewn with inconsistency.

The Icelandic playmaker contributed to 31 goals and 25 assists in 156 appearances across all competitions. Criticism grew as Everton struggled, and his high wages became a subject of scrutiny among fans and pundits alike.

Ultimately, his contract was terminated in 2022 amidst off-field legal issues. Given he was Everton’s record transfer, it’s fair to say this one didn’t go according to plan. He now plays for Valur in Iceland.

FAQs

Q. Who is the most expensive player in Everton’s history?

A. Gylfi Sigurðsson is the most expensive player in Everton’s history.

Q. Who is Everton’s highest-paid player?

A. Abdoulaye Doucouré is Everton’s highest-paid player.

Q. How much have Everton spent on transfers?

A. Since 2016, Everton have spent well over half a billion pounds in transfer fees.

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