Ranking the best bargain transfers in football history

Football has seen a rapid increase in transfer fees over the last decade or so. However, a huge transfer fee doesn’t always equate to a great impact or contribution from the club. We have already seen some big-money signings struggling after their move.

We have also seen some players, who were signed for a relatively lesser fee, make a huge impact at the club. They arrived with fewer expectations and made a lasting impact, helping the club achieve great success and are hence, known as bargain transfers. So, let’s take a look at some of the best bargain transfers in football history.

Note: Free transfers aren’t included in this article. You can take a look at the best free transfers in football history here:

Also Read: Ranking the 10 best free transfers in football history

10. Riyad Mahrez – €500,000

Leicester City signed Riyad Mahrez from French side Le Havre for just €500,000 in January 2014 and what a signing it turned out to be. He spent over four years at the club, making 179 appearances, scoring 48 goals and providing 36 assists.

He helped Leicester win the EFL Championship. He was a key player in their incredible Premier League title win in the 2015-16 campaign, registering 17 goals and 10 assists in 37 league games.

9. Ashley Cole – €7.40 million

Chelsea signed Ashley Cole from London rivals Arsenal in 2006 for €7.40 million, which also involved William Gallas moving the other way. Cole, who had already won numerous trophies with Arsenal, also brought great success to the Blues.

Widely regarded as the best left-back in Premier League history, he made 337 appearances for Chelsea. He won one Champions League, one Premier League, and four FA Cups, among other honors, before moving to AS Roma in 2014.

8. Eric Cantona – €1.80 million

A highly controversial figure, Eric Cantona, arrived at Manchester United in 1992 after just a few months at Leeds United. He arrived at a bargain fee of just €1.80 million. While he had some huge controversies at United as well, football-wise, he became a club legend.

Cantona scored 81 goals and provided 62 assists in 184 games for the Red Devils, winning four Premier League titles, among other honors. He was also named club captain in his final season at the club before retiring in 1997.

7. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – €2.50 million

Manchester United signed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from Norwegian side Molde for €2.50 million in 1996. While he failed to establish himself as a proper starter, he was arguably one of the best substitutes in football history.

Solskjaer scored 126 goals and provided 53 assists in 366 games for United. He scored a stoppage-time goal in their dramatic 2-1 win over Bayern Munich en route to a treble in the 1998-99 season. He also won numerous other trophies before retiring in 2007.

6. Cesar Azpilicueta – €8.80 million

The Spanish defender joined Chelsea from Olympique Marseille for €8.80 million in 2012 and ended up staying 11 years at the club. He made 508 appearances and played in multiple roles, even captaining the side in the latter part of his stint.

Cesar Azpilicueta won two Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy, among numerous other honors with Chelsea before leaving as a free agent in 2023.

5. Edwin van der Sar – €4 million

Edwin van der Sar was another iconic figure at Manchester United. He arrived from Fulham in 2005 for a bargain fee of just €4 million and helped them maintain their dominance in English football and beyond.

Van der Sar became the first-choice goalkeeper instantly and kept 135 clean sheets in 266 appearances at the club. He won one Champions League and four Premier League titles, among other honors, before retiring in 2011.

Also Read: Listing The 10 Most Expensive Goalkeeper Transfers of All-Time

4. Petr Cech – €13 million

Petr Cech joined Chelsea from Stade Rennais in 2004 for €13 million and became a legendary figure at the club and in football in general. He kept a record 24 clean sheets in his first season in the Premier League, conceding just 15 goals in 38 games, a record unlikely to be broken.

Cech has also kept the highest no. of clean sheets in Premier League history with 202. He kept 228 clean sheets in 494 appearances across competitions for Chelsea, winning four Premier League titles and one Champions League, among other honors.

3. Frank Lampard – €16 million

Chelsea signed Frank Lampard from West Ham United for €16 million in 2001 and he became an absolute club legend in his 13-year stay. The attacking midfielder is the Blues’ all-time top scorer with 211 goals and 147 assists in 648 games.

Lampard helped them win three Premier League titles, and one Champions League trophy, among numerous other honors. He also had two managerial stints at the club – one permanent and one as a caretaker.

2. Jordi Alba – €14 million

Yes, the transfer fee is a bit higher as compared to the other names on the list but Jordi Alba’s impact at Barcelona makes the fee look negligible. After joining them from Valencia in 2012, Alba made 459 appearances for Barca, scoring 27 goals and providing 99 assists.

He is widely regarded as one of the best left-backs of all time and was part of one of the most dominant Barcelona sides in history. He helped them win one UEFA Champions League trophy, and six La Liga titles, among numerous other honors. He left in 2023 to join Inter Miami.

1. Marcelo – €6.5 million

The Brazilian left-back has to be the best bargain transfer of all time. He joined Real Madrid from Fluminese in January 2007 for just €6.5 million. He went on to become a club legend, staying at the club for over 15 years before leaving in 2022.

Marcelo made 546 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 38 goals and providing 103 assists. He’s widely regarded as one of the greatest left-backs of all time. Known for his attacking prowess and Brazilian flair, Marcelo helped Los Blancos win five Champions League trophies, six La Liga titles, and numerous other trophies.

FAQs

Q. What is the cheapest transfer in football history?

A. Aside from free transfers, there have been many cheap transfers across the globe. In terms of big names, Riyad Mahrez’s €500,000 transfer to Leicester City is a big bargain transfer.

Also Read: 10 most expensive defenders in Premier League history