What are the top 10 most expensive transfers in MLS history?

Despite Lionel Messi making all the headlines after signing for Inter Miami, as his contract had ended at Paris Saint-Germain the Florida club did not need to pay a dime in transfer fees.

The same cannot be said for the players on these lists. In the last five or so years transfers have become much more expensive around the world and the MLS is no exception.

MLS most expensive outgoing transfers

Various clubs have, over the seasons, used MLS as a hunting ground for bargains. The markets in Europe - and the Premier League in particular - are routinely demanding almost extortionate fees for players and the rest of Europe may not been very far behind. As such, teams have had to get creative with their deals and look elsewhere: MLS is now an increasingly popular league for European teams to fish from, just as South America has been perhaps more regularly throughout the past.

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MLS most expensive incoming transfers

In terms of incoming transfers, there has been one team who clearly stands out above the rest: Atlanta United. The franchise have 4 names in the top 10 and occupy the top 3 spots in the ranking, showing their huge firepower when it comes to spending in the transfer market.

Their top three transfers have all come from South America, as Atlanta United position themselves as a stepping stone club for players with high ambitions to eventually make the move to Europe, as looks the case this summer with Thiago Almada, a young forward who has lit up MLS since his move and now looks set to leap across the pond at some point in 2024.