Goalkeepers, the backbone of any team and more times than not exceptional team leaders and captains have throughout the years made a name for themselves as key players of any successful team. Holding such a respected and important role on the pitch a single move can win their team matches, titles, championships and with it exponentially increase any goalkeeper’s value. While there are too many exceptional goalkeepers to count, 5 have established themselves as the best and are understandably also 5 most expensive goalkeepers in the world. In this article, we will look at the top 5 most expensive goalkeepers money can buy, which might surprise some people considering it does not include some of the well-known names.
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Who are the top 5 most expensive goalkeepers?
David de Gea (€65 million); Manchester United
OSLO, NORWAY – JULY 29: David De Gea of Manchester United during a training session at Ullevaal Stadion on July 29, 2019 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by David Lidstrom/Getty Images)
By now considered a Manchester United legend, the Spaniard has arrived to the Red Devils in late 2011, when he transferred from his childhood team Atletico Madrid, who struck a deal with Man United for €25 million. As a player who arrived at Man United with 2 European U21 championship titles, UEFA Supercup title and Europa League champion, de Gea expanded his silverware collection by adding 1 EPL title, league cup title, FA cup title, 2nd Europa League title and 3 FA Community Shields. To this point, the 28-year-old has already played 362 matches for the Red Devils and managed to keep his net untouched 128 times.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 18: Ederson of Manchester City celebrates with the FA Cup trophy following his team’s victory in the FA Cup Final match between Manchester City and Watford at Wembley Stadium on May 18, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Copa/Getty Images)
The 4th spot belongs to 25-year-old Brazillian goalkeeper Ederson who arrived at Manchester City in the summer of 2017 when the Sky Blues bought him from Benfica for €40 million. Ever since his arrival to the EPL, Ederson drastically improved and proved he was worth every penny spent by Man City. His performances and value skyrocketed are now, 2 years later, almost double that City has paid for him. The two-time EPL champion has a total of 100 appearances for Man City, during which he managed to achieve 49 clean sheets.
Alisson (€80 million); Liverpool
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Yet another Premier League goalkeeper and 2nd Brazillian goalkeeper on the list, it’s Alisson, who arrived at Liverpool in the summer of 2018 from Roma who pocketed € 62.5 million. Not only has he proven to be one of the best buys of Roma who signed him in 2016 for mere €8 million, but Alisson also proved he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. 51 appearances for the Reds 27 clean sheets, only 34 goals conceded and a Champions League title is what Alisson can put in his resume for his time at Liverpool.
Marc-André ter Stegen (€90 million); Barcelona
TER STEGEN MADE BY FLOWKO / instagram : @yososiw
The Oliver Khan of our time, Marc-André ter Stegen is a 27-year-old German goalkeeper who did not fail to live up to the name as one of the most promising goalkeepers of 21st century. Since his arrival at FC Barcelona from Borussia M’gladbach in 2014, ter Stegen proven his worth with his incredible performances which as of now make him the 2nd most expensive goalkeepers in the world. With 190 appearances for FCB, 83 clean sheets and a long list of club achievements he is truly a goalkeeper any team would want. But there is one that is considered even better and more valuable.
Jan Oblak (€100 million); Atletico Madrid
MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 24: Goalkeeper Jan Oblak of Atletico de Madrid gestures during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Valencia CF at Wanda Metropolitano on April 24, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
The Slovenian goalkeeper came out of nowhere and is now widely considered to be the best keeper on the planet. In his career, Oblak played for a total of 6 teams, until 2014 when he ended up in Atletico Madrid who bought him from Benfica for €16 million. Since 2014, Oblak played a total of 208 games for Atletico Madrid and managed to keep his net untouched 117 times, meaning he kept a clean sheet in over 56% of his games.
While not on the list, honourable mentions include, and Kepa, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Thibaut Courtois and Jordan Pickford, who sit are as of now 6th – 9th most expensive goalkeepers.
