PSG signed over €1.8 billion on players – Neymar, Mbappe, David Luiz, and more

Since the club’s new owners Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) acquired a majority ownership position in the organization in 2011 and eventually became the club’s sole owner in March 2012, Paris Saint-Germain has significantly inflated the already irrational transfer market. We all remember how, in 2017, when they paid a record-breaking €222 million for Neymar, they permanently changed the transfer market.

PSG has spent a lot of money over the past ten or so years on a number of high-profile acquisitions in their quest to become the ultimate European champions.

*All figures are taken from Transfermarkt.

PSG’s top 10 most expensive player signings

10 Javier Pastore – Palermo (€42 million/£37.80 million 2011)

Javier Pastore was one of the first superstars to sign with PSG in the early years of QSI’s ownership of the organization. Pastore, who cost €42 million (£37.80 million) to buy from Palermo in 2011, played for PSG for seven years, scoring 29 goals in 186 games.

9 Thiago Silva – Milan (€42 million/£37.80 million 2012)

In the summer of 2012, Thiago Silva moved to Paris Saint-Germain for €42 million (£37.80 million), a move that undoubtedly profited from Milan’s financial struggles at the time. The defender from Brazil was initially cleared of all rumors around him, and Milan’s owner at the time, Silvio Berlusconi, insisted that he would stay with the team.

8 Nuno Mendes – Sporting CP (€48.80 million/£44.11 million 2022)

In the summer of 2021, PSG first acquired Nuno Mendes on a season-long loan. His services to the team were acknowledged by his selection to the Team of the Year and his nomination for Young Player of the Year in Ligue 1. The Portuguese left-buyout back’s clause was set at €48.80 million (£44.11 million), but PSG of France decided to exercise their option to activate it instead of signing him to a four-year deal.

7 David Luiz – Chelsea (€49.50 million/£44.55 million 2014)

Only two years after spending a record price for a defender when they purchased Thiago Silva, PSG broke their previous record by signing David Luiz from Chelsea in the summer of 2014. After being bought for €49.50 million (£44.55 million), Luiz spent two seasons in France where he won all four domestic competitions. He later returned to Stamford Bridge for €35 million (£31.50 million) in 2016.

6 Mauro Icardi – Inter (€50 million/£45 million 2020)

In the summer of 2019, Icardi agreed to a one-season loan from Inter to PSG with a €70 million purchase option. He won Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Coupe de la Ligue, and reached the UEFA Champions League final in his first season with the team. Despite not being used as a substitute in the final, Icardi led PSG in scoring with five goals in seven games, sharing the scoring lead with Kylian Mbappe. The deal was eventually renegotiated, and in the summer of 2020, they were able to acquire their man for €50 million (£45 million).

5 Angel Di Maria – Manchester United (€63 million/£56.50 million 2015)

Angel Di Maria signed with PSG for €63 million (£56.50 million) in the summer of 2015 following a very dismal stint at Manchester United, where he struggled to adapt and be successful. During his seven years at PSG, Di Maria won numerous national championships and even made it to the 2019–20 Champions League final against Bayern Munich. The Argentine winger spent two more seasons at PSG, playing 295 games and recording 92 goals and 112 assists.

4 Edinson Cavani – Napoli (€64.50 million/£58.95 million 2013)

When Edinson Cavani was acquired by PSG from Napoli in 2013 for €64.50 million (£58.95 million), it was the sixth-most expensive move in history. Cavani excelled as a striker while playing for the team, including the Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Coupe de la Ligue. He also became PSG’s all-time leading scorer during his time in the French capital when, in January 2018, he scored his 157th goal in his 229th game, a 4-0 victory over Montpellier.

3 Achraf Hakimi – Inter (€66.50 million/£59.85 million 2021)

Hakimi left Inter in 2021 and later signed a contract with PSG for €66.50 million (£59.85 million). He then quickly adapted to life in France and then quickly assimilated himself into the first team. By scoring in his league debut against Troyes in the opening game of the 2021–22 season, Hakimi made an impressive entry into Ligue 1.

2 Kylian Mbappe – Monaco (€180 million/£162 million 2018)

After helping Monaco win the league in his breakout 2016–17 season, Kylian Mbappe quickly gained notoriety in Europe and the attention of some of the top teams in the globe. PSG ultimately took advantage of the opportunity to recruit the striker in August 2017 and did so on loan. He became the second-most expensive transfer in football history when the Parisians announced his permanent transfer for €180 million (£162 million) in the summer of 2018. This came after a fruitful loan time.

1 Neymar – Barcelona (€222 million/£199.80 million 2017)

Neymar became the most expensive football player in history in the summer of 2017 when he finalized his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain after exercising his release clause and paying Barcelona €222 million (£199.80 million). Apart from the 2020-21 season, Neymar has been seen winning all the league titles after his move to Paris.

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