Ramsdale has twice been named one of Europe’s most expensive goalkeepers since Alisson.
1) Kepa (Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea) £71.6million
Alisson was only the world’s most expensive goalkeeper for three weeks before Chelsea threw an even greater cash at Athletic Bilbao. It appeared to be a panicked move, which it should not have been because it had been obvious for months that they would need a new keeper. However, they were forced to pay the then-23-year-old’s release clause in order to remove him from Spain, which they soon regretted. The most remarkable contribution he made in his first season was refusing to leave the Carabao Cup final, and he spent much of his second season on Frank Lampard’s bench. Chelsea eventually signed Edouard Mendy, but they could use a replacement this summer.
2) Thibaut Cortois (Chelsea to Real Madrid) £35million
Chelsea threw a lot of money at Kepa as a result of Courtois’s departure to Real Madrid. And he had to work hard for it. The Belgium goalkeeper, who was set to enter the final year of his contract, stated his desire to join Real Madrid before, during, and after the 2018 World Cup, but he skipped the first days of pre-season training to ensure his voice was heard. Mr Tickle in Mitts had a rocky start in Madrid but quickly improved. Very, very good.
3) Jasper Cillessen (Barcelona to Valencia) £31.4million
£27 million Neto (from Barcelona to Valencia)
Despite Barcelona and Valencia’s best attempts, we must combine these transactions together. The Spanish teams changed keepers in less than 24 hours, with Neto leaving on the last day of the fiscal year in 2019 and Cillessen, who’d spent his Barca career as a stand-in, arriving on the first day of the next, both for a somewhat shockingly huge fee. *turns to face the camera
4) Aaron Ramsdale (Sheffield United to Arsenal) £30million
Arsenal finally decided to spend £30 million – £6 million in add-ons – for a goalie who had been relegated in each of the previous two seasons with Sheffield United and Bournemouth. Ramsdale was brought in to battle with Bernd Leno, who was quickly pushed aside in favor of the then-23-year-old. It appears to have worked out well for everyone, with Ramsdale generally acting as an authoritative presence in Mikel Arteta’s goal, and Leno getting the fresh start he needed at Fulham.
5) Edouard Mendy (Rennes to Chelsea) £22million 20/21
Chelsea had little choice but to purchase Senegal stopper Mendy from Rennes in September 2020 after Frank Lampard had finally written off Kepa. Within a year, he had won the European Championship and the African Cup of Nations under Thomas Tuchel. But, as with Tuchel, things went south for Mendy. He made a number of mistakes and was so benched for Tuchel’s final game. Mendy never returned to Kepa and appears to be one of numerous players moved to Saudi Arabia.
6) Pau Lopez (Real Betis to Roma) £21million
The Spanish goalkeeper arrived in Rome in July 2019 with one international cap – but things did not go smoothly. “I had lost interest and love for football.” “I no longer had joy in training,” Lopez remarked after being rescued from Roma by Marseille, who gave the Italian club half their investment back after a try-before-you-buy loan spell.
7) Emi Martinez (Arsenal to Aston Villa) £20million
Various amounts have circulated regarding Villa’s final payment for Argentina’s goalkeeper. Martinez was a steal even at the maximum £20 million. He took Arsenal’s rejection as motivation to become a Premier League champion and World Cup winner. If Villa sold now, they may earn three times their investment back.
8) Juan Musso (Udinese to Atalanta) £17.4million
Musso was signed by Atalanta for the 2021/22 season after impressing during his three years at Udinese. His first season was a success, but the twice-capped Argentina goalkeeper finished the previous season on the bench, watching as Marco Sportiello took his place. Marco Carnesecchi is anticipated to return following a loan spell at Cremonese to assume the gloves next season, with Musso on the move again.
9) Aaron Ramsdale (Bournemouth to Sheffield United) £18.5million
Ramsdale was re-signed by Sheffield United in 2020 for a record sum after being transferred to Bournemouth three and a half years earlier at £800,000. With Ramsdale in goal, the Blades experienced the same fate as the Cherries, but the Stoke-born goalkeeper had already demonstrated enough to win an England call-up. And Blades made a fair profit within a year.
10) Emil Audero (Juventus to Sampdoria) £17million
Audero, who was born in Indonesia, progressed through the ranks at Juventus before being loaned to Samp in 2018 with the option to buy for 20 million euros. Samp quickly decided to make it a permanent arrangement, and Audero has been in their midst ever since. Samp finished bottom of the table last season due to financial difficulties, but Audero’s reputation remains intact, with Juve, Lazio, and Inter all interested in the 26-year-old, though Samp may be lucky to recoup half of what they paid.
