The list of the most expensive Spanish transfers looks quite different when brought up to 2026 standards.
After recalculating the transfer fees and bonuses for inflation and currency fluctuations, several surprises emerge.
Recalculating Most Expensive Spanish Transfers in History
According to the data from BetFair’s calculator, only one Spanish player in history has crossed the €100 million threshold.
That record is held by Kepa Arrizabalaga, who joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao for a beefy €80 million in August 2018. If the transfer had taken place today, Kepa would have gone for a jaw-dropping €104.2 million.
Mikel Arteta’s side paid a handsome €70 million fee to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2025, leaving people wondering if Arsenal have the best squad depth in the Premier League.
The move also made Zubimendi the most expensive Spanish midfielder in history.
However, after adjusting for inflation and currency fluctuations, the second spot has gone to former Barcelona and Valencia midfielder Gaizka Mendieta.
Zubimendi is a big game player. pic.twitter.com/Yy4FXnaIfI
— Forever Arsenal (@ArsenalN10) December 30, 2025
Mendieta moved to Serie A side Lazio from Valencia for a €48 million fee in the summer of 2021. It was a huge fee at the time, and when adjusted to today’s standards, it comes to around €94 million.
It is the only top 10 transfer involving two non-English teams.
In third place, we have Manchester City midfielder Rodri. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner moved to the Etihad Stadium from Atletico Madrid’s Estadio Metropolitano in July 2019. He cost Man City €70 million at the time.
Had he joined in the summer of 2025, the Cityzens would have had to fork out €93.7 million for the midfield maestro.
Alvaro Morata, who moved to Real Madrid from Chelsea, cost the Blues €66 million in July 2017. Today, the transfer would have cost the club close to €91 million.
Rounding off the top five is Fernando Torres, who controversially joined Chelsea from Liverpool in January 2011. In today’s money, the move cost €90.3 million.
Top 10 Most Expensive Spanish Transfers
| Name | Team Left | Team Joined | Actual Fee | Readjusted Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kepa Arrizabalaga | Athletic Bilbao | Chelsea | €80 million | €108.22 million |
| Gaizka Mendieta | Valencia | Lazio | €48 million | €94.05 million |
| Rodrig | Atletico Madrid | Manchester City | €70 million | €93.71 million |
| Alvaro Morata | Real Madrid | Chelsea | €66 million | €90.87 million |
| Fernando Torres | Liverpool | Chelsea | €58.50 million | €90.32 million |
| Aymeric Laporte | Athletic Bilbao | Manchester City | €65 million | €89.50 million |
| Diego Costa | Chelsea | Atletico Madrid | €60 million | €82.61 million |
| Marc Cucurella | Brighton & Hove Albion | Chelsea | €65.30 million | €75.61 million |
| Martin Zubimendi | Real Sociedad | Arsenal | €70 million | €70 million |
| Ferran Torres | Manchester City | Barcelona | €55 million | €68.78 million |
Interestingly, Real Madrid feature on the list but not in the buyers column. Athletic Bilbao have sold two players for astonishing money, while Chelsea have signed four Spanish stars, belonging to the top 10, over the years.
Adjusting for inflation and fluctuations, the Blues have spent over €360 million on Spanish players.
