Declan Rice to join Arsenal: what are the most expensive signings in the history of the Premier League?

Much has been made about the cost of living crisis in the United Kingdom and beyond in recent times, and it turns out that Rice is more expensive than ever. After weeks of speculation, West Ham United have taken the unusual step of announcing the star midfielder Declan Rice has left the club…without revealing who he has signed for. Of course, we all know by now that the “mystery” buyers are Premier League runners-up Arsenal.

Declan Rice becomes most expensive English player

What we also have a good idea of is how much the Gunners will pay their city rivals to secure the services of the England international. After much to-ing and fro-ing, the clubs have reportedly agreed a fee of £100 million plus £5 million in add-ons (just under $137.5 million overall), which will make Rice the most expensive English player in history ahead of Jack Grealish, who moved to Manchester City from Aston Villa for £100 million (almost $131 million) in 2021.

The Premier League’s top 10 most expensive signings

But where does Rice fit in in terms of the most expensive signings in the history of the Premier League? The West Ham academy product doesn’t quite take top spot, which still belongs to Argentina’s World Cup-winning midfielder Enzo Fernández, whose move from Benfica reportedly cost Chelsea £106.8 million (circa $139.8 million).

Rice does snatch second place from Grealish, however, with Manchester United and Chelsea signings dominating the rest of the top 10.