Pele memorably stated an African nation would win the World Cup earlier than the 12 months 2000.
We’re nonetheless ready for that one to return true, however the nice Brazilian’s wider level in regards to the continent producing higher gamers did come to fruition.
Africa has persistently produced among the best footballers to play the sport for the reason that flip of the millennium. Some have moved for enormous switch charges, however who’s the costliest?
Who’s the costliest African participant of all time?
Didier Drogba moved for large cash however does he make the highest ten? (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Nicolas Pepe is at the moment the costliest African participant in historical past – having held the document since 2019.
That’s right down to his £72million switch to Arsenal from Lille. Sadly for the Gunners, Pepe did not precisely show successful and left the Emirates Stadium on a free switch final 12 months. At worldwide stage, Pepe has represented Ivory Coast on 47 events, serving to them win the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023.
Who held the all time document switch price for an African participant earlier than Pepe?
Nicolas Pepe price Arsenal £72million (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
Previous to Pepe’s transfer for enormous cash, it was a north African holding the title of the continent’s most costly footballer.
A 12 months earlier than Pepe moved to Arsenal, Riyad Mahrez signed for Manchester Metropolis, who paid Leicester Metropolis £60million for his providers.
Metropolis broke their membership document to signal Mahrez, who later moved to Al-Ahli for £30million.
One other Premier League switch had beforehand held the document price, with Gabon star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang transferring to Arsenal for £56million six months earlier in January 2018.
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Rank Worth Participant From To
1
£72m
Nicholas Pepe
Lille
Arsenal
2
£60m
Riyad Mahrez
Leicester Metropolis
Manchester Metropolis
3
£58m
Achraf Hakimi
Inter Milan
PSG
4
£56m
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Borussia Dortmund
Arsenal
5
£49m
Naby Keita
RB Leipzig
Liverpool
6
£41m
Victor Osimhen
Lille
Napoli
7
£40m
Mo Salah
Fiorentina
Liverpool
8
£38m
Sadio Mane
Southampton
Liverpool
9
£34m
Hakim Ziyech
Ajax
Chelsea
10
£33.5m
Cedric Bakambu
Villarreal
Beijing Guoan
