The 2025 summer transfer window first opened in June, before officially closing in most parts of Europe on the 1st of September. Several African footballers secured high-profile transfers after impressive performances in the previous campaigns for their clubs.
From Cameroon winger Bryan Mbeumo to Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen, here are the five most expensive transfers involving African footballers in the 2025/26 summer transfer window.
Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford to Manchester United, £71 million)
Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo sealed a dream move to Manchester United after six years at Brentford. The Red Devils paid an initial £65 million for his signature, with the total investment expected to rise up to £71 million plus add-ons.
Mbeumo’s transfer becomes one of the most expensive African transfers in EPL history, while his sale also represented the biggest transfer sale in Brentford’s history.
The 26-year-old has slotted easily into the Red Devils squad, with two goals already to his name this season.
Victor Osimhen(Napoli to Galatasaray £64.8 million)
Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen ended a long transfer saga with a €75 million (£64.8 million) move to Galatasaray in July, making him the most expensive signing in Turkish league history. The Lions will pay an initial €40 million, with €35 million to be paid over the next one year.
He attracted interests from multiple European clubs including the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Juventus, but opted for a move to Turkey where he enjoyed an impressive loan spell in the previous campaign.
Osimhen also rejected a mouthwatering offer from Saudi Arabia, opting for a stay in Europe, and has already scored twice in three league appearances for Galatasaray this season.
Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United to Tottenham Hotspur, £55 million)
Ghana forward Mohammed Kudus swapped West Ham United for Tottenham Hotspur in July for a fee of around £55 million, making him the most expensive transfer in Ghana history. Despite having a release clause of £85 million, both clubs negotiated a lower fee, allowing the 25-year-old to switch sides two years after his first move to England.
Kudus’ showed glimpses of his quality in Spurs’ UEFA Super Cup defeat to PSG, and has provided two assists from three league games already this season.
Darren Bent lauds Kudus as “fantastic signing” for Tottenham
Dango Ouattara (Bournemouth to Brentford, £42.5 million)
Dango Ouattara became Brentford’s club-record signing in August, when he joined the club for a £42.5 million fee from league rivals Bournemouth.
The Burkina Faso forward arrived at the club as a like-for-like replacement for Bryan Mbeumo who joined Manchester United earlier in the transfer window.
Ouattara netted the winner on his debut, scoring the only goal in the 1-0 win over Aston Villa, easing the early pressure surrounding his transfer fee.
Rayan Ait Nouri (Wolves to Manchester City, £36.3 million)
Algerian defender Rayan Ait Nouri joined Pep Guardiola’s side in June for an initial £31 million fee and £5.3 million in add-ons.
The 23-year-old became the Cityzens first summer addition of the summer and was part of their squad for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, providing one assist in three outings.
Ait Nouri is gradually becoming an important member of the City squad as they look to reclaim their league crown and has featured in all their three league matches this season.
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