Chelsea's top 10 most expensive signings in their history

Chelsea's summer transfer window saw the club sign as many as 11 new players, with Joao Pedro emerging as the most notable, becoming one of the club's most expensive signings.

Despite some players being loaned out, the Blues' intensive spending underlines their ambition to establish themselves as the best club in the world, driven by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

Nevertheless, having been required to comply with UEFA's stringent financial regulations and ensure that they do not record a negative net spend, Chelsea's business has been shrewd.

With the January 2026 transfer window now open, the West London giants have been linked with numerous players again, although they may not splurge on high transfer fees as they did before.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the top 10 most expensive signings in Chelsea's history, which have been split over the Roman Abramovich era and the co-ownership of Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

10. Joao Pedro - £60m

© Imago

From: Brighton & Hove Albion

Date: July 2, 2025

Age at the time: 23

Chelsea appearances: 27

Chelsea goals: 10

Honours at Chelsea

• Club World Cup (1) 2025

9. Alvaro Morata - £60m

© Reuters

From: Real Madrid

Date: July 21, 2017

Age at the time: 25

Chelsea appearances: 72

Chelsea goals: 24

Honours at Chelsea

• FA Cup (1): 2017-18
• Europa League (1): 2018-19

8. Marc Cucurella - £62m

From: Brighton & Hove Albion

Date: August 5, 2022

Age at the time: 24

Chelsea appearances: 138

Chelsea goals: 8

Honours at Chelsea

• Club World Cup (1) 2025
• Conference League (1) 2024-25

7. Kai Havertz - £71m

© Reuters

From: Bayer Leverkusen

Date: September 4, 2020

Age at the time: 21

Chelsea appearances: 139

Chelsea goals: 32

Honours at Chelsea

• Champions League (1): 2020-21
• UEFA Super Cup (1): 2021
• Club World Cup (1): 2021

6. Kepa Arrizabalaga - £72m

© Reuters

From: Athletic Bilbao

Date: August 8, 2018

Age at the time: 23

Chelsea appearances: 163

Chelsea clean sheets: 59

Honours at Chelsea

• Europa League (1): 2018-19
• Champions League (1): 2020-21
• UEFA Super Cup (1): 2021
• Club World Cup (1): 2021

5. Wesley Fofana - £75m

© Reuters

From: Leicester City

Date: August 31, 2022

Age at the time: 21

Chelsea appearances: 48

Chelsea goals: 2

Honours at Chelsea

• Conference League (1): 2024–25

4. Mykhaylo Mudryk - £89m

© Reuters

From: Shakhtar Donetsk

Date: January 15, 2023

Age at the time: 22

Chelsea appearances: 73

Chelsea goals: 10

Honours at Chelsea

• Conference League (1) 2024-25

3. Romelu Lukaku - £97.5m

© Reuters

From: Inter Milan

Date: August 12, 2021

Age at the time: 28

Chelsea appearances: 44

Chelsea goals: 15

Honours at Chelsea

• Club World Cup (1): 2021

2. Enzo Fernandez - £106.8m

© Reuters

From: Benfica

Date: January 31, 2023

Age at the time: 22

Chelsea appearances: 141

Chelsea goals: 22

Honours at Chelsea

• Club World Cup (1) 2025
• Conference League (1) 2024-25

1. Moises Caicedo - £115m

© Reuters

From: Brighton & Hove Albion

Date: August 14, 2023

Age at the time: 21

Chelsea appearances: 121

Chelsea goals: 7

Honours at Chelsea

• Club World Cup (1) 2025
• Conference League (1)