The talent and quality of the African players below on the field of play not only placed them among the most valuable players in the world but it also propelled them into the top 20 list of most expensive african footballers ever
Here are Africa’s most expensive footballers of all time
1. Mohammed Sallah: Egypt – £40million
Transfer: Chelsea to liverpool
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Mohammed Salah overtook sadio mane to become the most expensive african footballer in europe, following his £40million move from Roma to Liverpool.
The 24-year-old Egyptian scored 15 goals and laid on 13 assists in 31 Serie A fixtures, to attract the attention of Jurgen Klopp.
2. Sadio Mane: Senegal – £35million
Transfer: Southampton to Liverpool
The Senegal international became the second most expensive African player in history, when he moved from Southampton for Liverpool on June 28, for a record fee of £35 million.
3 Eric Bailly: Cote d’Ivoire – £30million
Transfer- Villarreal to Manchester United
Since the 22-year old ivorian arrival at Manchester United from Villarreal for a stunning fee of £30million, he has gone ahead to become United’s defensive experto.
4. Islam Slimani: Algeria – £29.5million
Transfer: Sporting Lisbon to Leicester City
Leicester City parted wjth a whopping 29.5 million euros’ plus a further 5-million euros in add-ons to sign the Algerian forward Sporting Lisbon.
The signing made him the 4th most expensive African footballer ever.
5. Wilfried Bony: Cote d’Ivoire – £28million
Transfer: Swansea City to Manchester City
The Ivorian striker held the title of Africa’s most expensive player for about 18 months after moving from Swansea City to Manchester City at the beginning of 2015.
His move to Manchester City has not worked out so far though.
6. Emmanuel Adebayor: Togo – £25million
Transfer: Arsenal to Manchester City
Back in 2009, Manchester City, splashed a whopping £25 million on the very tall striker from Arsenal. The transfer propelled him into the top 10 most expensive african footballer ever.
7. Yannick Bolasie: DR Congo – £24.5million
Transfer: Crystal Palace to Everton
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Holding down the number 7 spot is Yannick Bolasie, an undoubted world class beater. He joined The Toffees in 2016 for a reported fee of £25 million; on five-year contract after leaving Crystal Palace.
8. Michael Essien: Ghana – £24.4million
Transfer: Lyon to Chelsea
Essien’s move from Lyon to Chelsea during Jose Mourinho’s first spell in Chelsea for £24.4million raised dusts, but the midfielder’s tenacity paid off as he was part of the Chelsea squad that claimed their first historic Champions League in 2012. Sadly, injuries seem to have blighted most part of his career.
9. Didier Drogba: Cote d’Ivoire – £24million
Transfer: Marseille to Chelsea
Unarguably Africa’s finest striker ever.. Didier joined mega-rich Chelsea from Marseille rather than West Ham from Guingamp. Although Drogba was not prolific during his early years at Stamford Bridge, he soon became indispensable to the team.
10. Yaya toure: Cote d’Ivoire – £24 Million
Transfer: Barcelona to Manchester City
Manchester City won the fight to sign Toure in 2010 for a whopping £24million following his departure from the Camp Nou and he has been integral to the 2012 and 2014 Premier League champions since.
