5 Most Expensive African Players of All-Time: Where Does Bryan Mbeumo Rank?

5 Most Expensive African Players of All-Time: Where Does Bryan Mbeumo Rank?

5 Most Expensive African Players of All-Time: Where Does Bryan Mbeumo Rank?

Joel Omotto 10:40 - 22.07.2025

Bryan Mbeumo completed his long-awaited move to Manchester United and after his £71 million transfer, he is now among the most expensive Africans of all-time.

Bryan Mbeumo finally completed his dream move to Manchester United on Monday, bringing an end to a long-drawn-out sage.

United had been in negotiation with Brentford since June and only completed the deal last week after submitting an improved £71 million bid.

Mbeumo has signed a five-year deal with the option for another year and his transfer makes him one of the most expensive African players of all-time.

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So, who joins him on the list of the most expensive African players ever?

5 Most Expensive African Players of All-Time: Where Does Bryan Mbeumo Rank?

5. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during his time at Arsenal. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang won the FA Cup at Arsenal in 2020 (Credit: Imago)

Gabon forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the fifth most expensive African player following his €63.75 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Arsenal in January 2018.

Aubameyang had been one of Europe’s top strikers when he joined the Gunners and had a wonderful time at Arsenal in his first three-and-a-half years before he fell out with coach Mikel Arteta during the 2021-22 season.

He left the Gunners for Barcelona in February 2022, having scored 92 goals and provided 21 assists in 163 games, and played a part in Arsenal’s FA Cup win in 2020, their last trophy.

4. Riyad Mahrez

Riyadh Mahrez and his spouse pose with the UEFA Champions League trophy.

In the summer of 2018, Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez joined Manchester City for €67.8 million from Leicester City where he had gained cult status.

Mahrez was the mastermind of Leicester’s incredible Premier League win in 2015-16 and attracted interest from a host of clubs soon after, before City won the race for his signature.

Mahrez spent five successful years at City, winning four Premier League crowns, two FA Cups and UEFA Champions League, having scored 78 goals, provided 59 assists in 236 games, before leaving for Saudi side Al Ahli in the summer of 2023.

3. Achraf Hakimi

Achraf Hakimi with the Champions League trophy | Imago

Moroccan full-back Achraf Hakimi was also another big-money buy following his €68 million transfer from Inter Milan to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2021.

Hakimi has become one of the best right-backs in the world with his four-year stay at PSG bringing 11 trophies among them four league titles and a Champions League crown.

He also has a huge goal contribution, having managed 25 goals, 35 assists in 175 games.

2. Bryan Mbeumo

Bryan Mbeumo during his Man United unveiling.

The latest entrant on the list, Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo joined Manchester United from Brentford for €75 million in July 2025.

Mbeumo is seen as a massive addition to Ruben Amorim’s side and comes after five years with the Bees where he scored 70 goals and added 51 assists in 242 games.

1. Nicolas Pepe

Nicolas Pepe struggled to make an impact at Arsenal (Credit: Imago)

Ivorian winger Nicolas Pepe is still the most expensive African player following his €80 million move from French club Lille to Arsenal in the summer of 2019.

However, unlike the others on the list, Pepe did not represent value for money as he flopped at the North London club, managing 27 goals and 21 assists in 112 games, before he was shipped out on loan to French club Nice after which he signed permanently for Trabzonspor in Turkey.