The biggest statement signings in Premier League history as Arsenal eye Vinicius Junior
The Premier League is often hailed as the best league in world football, but it’s a division where superstars are often made rather than signed.
The deal would certainly be a signal of intent from Arsenal, and we’ve remembered some of the biggest statement signings in Premier League history.
Alan Shearer – Blackburn Rovers to Newcastle United (1996)
Shearer scored a club record 206 goals across a decade at St James’ Park but never got his hands on silverware.
Andriy Shevchenko – AC Milan to Chelsea (2006)
Shevchenko struggled to make the desired impact at Stamford Bridge, with 22 goals in 77 appearances a modest return for a player who had been one of Europe’s most feared forwards in Milan.
Robinho – Real Madrid to Manchester City (2008)
The Cityzens beat Chelsea to the signing of the Brazilian forward from Real Madrid for a fee of around £32.5m.
“I liked the project, and when City made the offer to Real Madrid, I decided to come here. I liked the plans that Manchester City have, and I want to succeed with them,” Robinho said at his unveiling.
The South American scored 15 goals in his first season before falling from favour, and never quite hit the heights expected. However, his arrival was the watershed moment in City joining the big time.
Angel Di Maria – Real Madrid to Manchester United (2014)
Manchester United made a statement in 2014 after signing Angel Di Maria for a record fee. The Red Devils had botched their Alex Ferguson succession plan, with David Moyes sacked and Louis van Gaal brought in. United backed the Dutchman with some heavy investment, including a £59.7m British record fee for Di Maria.
The Argentine had been an instrumental part of Real Madrid’s Champions League success the previous season, before moving to Manchester as the club’s new marquee man.
However, he struggled to settle in England and departed for Paris Saint-Germain only 12 months later.
Paul Pogba – Juventus to Manchester United (2016)
United parted with £89m to re-sign the midfielder, who had been allowed to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer four years earlier. Pogba had built a reputation as one of Europe’s top talents in Turin, where he won four successive Serie A titles.
The Frenchman lifted the Europa League and League Cup during his debut season at Manchester United, but never truly justified the record outlay across six seasons.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Juventus to Manchester United (2021)
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner and former favourite returned to Old Trafford, 13 years on from his world-record exit for Real Madrid. Ronaldo had scored 551 goals for Real Madrid and Juventus before his second stint in Manchester, and made an immediate impact, with 24 goals across all competitions.
Things soon turned sour, however, as dissatisfaction with the club’s project and a fall-out with Erik ten Hag led to his exit for the Saudi Pro League.
