The 2026 summer transfer window officially closed in most countries on Tuesday night with numerous moves completed during the one month window. African players were not left out as many made major moves to top european clubs in this window.
Here are the most expensive moves made by African players in this window:
Yan Diomandé — RB Leipzig to Real Madrid
The 19-year old Ivorian winger moved to Real madrid from RB Liepzig for a reported €125 million fixed fee, potentially rising to €140 million which is a Real Madrid club record.
The seven-year agreement makes Diomandé the most expensive African footballer in history, surpassing countryman Nicolas Pépé’s previous record. This was a reward for the excellent season the teenager had at club level and with the Ivory Coast national team.
Ayyoub Bouaddi — Lille to Manchester City
The 18 year old Moroccan midfielder became the most expensive teenager in Premier League history after joining Manchester City from Lille for a deal worth up to £86 million.
City are paying a reported £81.3 million in fixed fees, with another £4.3 million available in add-ons capping a major rise for the Moroccan midfielder who made his senior debut for Lille at just 16 and established himself as one of Europe’s most highly rated young midfielders.
He also impressed during Morocco’s run at the 2026 World Cup, making five starts as the Atlas Lions reached the quarter-finals.
City see Bouaddi as a long-term midfield cornerstone following the departure of several established midfielders.
Carlos Baleba — Brighton to Manchester United
Manchester United completed the signing of Cameroon international Carlos Baleba from Brighton in a deal worth up to £70 million after an unsuccessful pursuit of the 22-year old last summer.
United agreed to pay £65 million initially, with a further £5 million in add-ons, while Brighton also negotiated a sell-on clause for the highly rated defensive midfielder.
Iliman Ndiaye — Everton to Manchester City
Manchester City added another African international to their attack on deadline day by signing 26-year old Senegalese forward Iliman Ndiaye from Everton for a reported £65 million.
Ndiaye signed a five-year contract and became City’s seventh signing of the summer. The versatile forward who can operate across the frontline arrives with substantial Premier League experience following spells at Sheffield United and Everton.
Nicolas Jackson — Chelsea to Aston Villa
Aston Villa broke their transfer record to sign Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea in a deal worth up to £65 million, with Villa paying a reported £47.5 million initially and the remainder linked to add-ons.
Jackson who spent the previous season on loan at Bayern Munich after joining Chelsea from Villarreal in 2023 would reunite with ex-manager Unai Emery at Villa.
Ismaël Saibari — PSV to Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich moved early in the summer to secure the signing of 25-year old Morocco international Ismaël Saibari from PSV Eindhoven. The German champions agreed a reported €55 million deal for the versatile attacker, who signed a five-year contract with PSV describing the transfer as a club-record sale.
Saibari arrives in Munich after helping PSV establish itself as one of the Netherlands’ leading clubs and after representing Morocco at the World Cup.
Ibrahim Mbaye — PSG to Aston Villa
Ibrahim Mbaye is another teenager on the list aster Aston Villa completed another major investment in African youth talent by signing the 18-year-old Senegal international from Paris Saint-Germain for approximately £47 million.
Mbaye spent eight years at PSG after joining the club’s academy at the age of 10. He became PSG’s youngest Ligue 1 starter in 2024 at 16 years and six months. He switched his international allegiance from France to Senegal in 2025 and has already established himself in the senior national team.
Bazoumana Touré — Hoffenheim to Newcastle United
Newcastle United signed Ivorian winger Bazoumana Touré from Hoffenheim in a deal reported to be worth approximately £43 million. Touré arrives after an impressive breakthrough campaign in Germany and featured three times for Côte d’Ivoire at the 2026 World Cup.
Ousmane Diomandé — Sporting CP to Nottingham Forest
22-year old Ivorian defender Ousmane Diomandé left Sporting CP for Nottingham Forest for a reported £34.2 million signing a four-year contract with an option for another season.
Diomandé’s arrival strengthens Forest’s defence while giving the Côte d’Ivoire international the opportunity to test himself in the Premier League. His move also means two of Africa’s biggest transfers of the summer involved players from the same Ivorian generation: Yan Diomandé at Real Madrid and Ousmane Diomandé at Forest.
Mamadou Sangaré — Lens to Brentford
The Mali international became Brentford’s record signing after moving from Lens for approximately €48 million. He also became the biggest sale in Lens’ history after only one season at the French club.
