Cristiano Ronaldo broke the shackles in his six years with United. He matured from an inexperienced, young winger in 2003 to one of the best players ever.
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best finds ever in the history of the Red Devils. Holding Sir Alex Ferguson's hand in 2003 an 18-year-old Portuguese arrived at Old Trafford. Manchester United paid just £12.24m in 2003 to get his services, but on the day when he departed for Real Madrid in 2009, he was the most expensive player on the planet.
The Los Blancos paid a whooping £80m for the Ballon d'Or winner. However, on Thursday Cristiano Ronaldo made a dramatic return to his former club from Juventus; this article focuses on all the records Ronaldo made during his first stint at Manchester United.
Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United:
Goals and Assists:
Ronaldo getting ready to take a free-kick Image - SPORF
At Manchester United, the then-winger's scoring record was slow to take off. However, after six years he left having netted 118 times in all competitions, in 292 games. Particularly in the Premier League, he scored 84 goals in 196 appearances with 0.43 goals per match.
Breakdown of his Premier League goals: Goals - 84 Headed goals - 9 Goals with the right foot - 47 Goals with the left foot - 9 Penalties scored - 11 Freekicks scored - 9
Ronaldo also has 69 assists to his name in all competitions for the Red Devils. 34 of those assists came in the Premier League.
Team Trophies:
Cristiano Ronaldo and Patrice Evra with the Premier League trophy Image - Manchester United
The 36-year-old Portuguese is probably more decorated than many of the top-flight clubs. However, his major winning stints began at Manchester United. It took a year for United to win a trophy after his arrival. However, once it started the trophy room started to fill up.
He won three Premier Leagues, the FA Cup, two League Cups, two Community Shields, and also the Club World Cup. Moreover, he lifted his first UEFA Champions League title in 2008 with the Red Devils. He once again made it to the UCL final in 2009, but this time fell short against Guardiola, Messi and Co.
Individual Trophies:
Cristiano Ronaldo with his first Ballon d'Or in 2008 Image - Ace Football
Cristiano Ronaldo along with Lionel Messi dominated world football for the better part of the decade. He is one of the most decorated players in football history. He won several individual awards for his efforts during his time at Manchester United.
Ronaldo's individual achievements with Manchester United: 1*Golden boot (31 Goals)- 2007/08 2*Premier League Player of the Season - 2006/07, 2007/08 1*Ballon d'Or winner - 2008 1*Puskas Award- 2009 (long-range effort against Porto for United)
Cristiano Ronaldo's stats across the six seasons at Manchester United:
Manchester United are reportedly preparing for a massive summer signing as they eye the services of star Olympique Lyonnais forward Rayan Cherki.
The Red Devils are interested in strengthening their squad, and they have now joined the race to sign the gifted French under-21 forward, after it was reported that Lyon is willing to sell the player for approximately £20 million.
Manchester United are adamant to turn things around
(Image Source | X)
In a difficult ongoing campaign this season, Manchester United have registered a record low point total in the Premier League, sitting on 38 points.
With only 6 games remaining to play for, the call for new talent has never been greater inside the club. Cherki, widely considered one of the most talented players in the world at this moment, has been identified as a top target for the club's Portuguese manager, Ruben Amorim.
The various reports point out Cherki's great talent and his undeniable potential to shape games at the highest level. He has performed marvelously on the field in this season alone, achieving great statistics that would upgrade any team.
Cherki's display has attracted United's scouting department, particularly with the Red Devils' own challenges in creativity and attacking potency.
Cherki draws interest from Red Devils' management
Cherki scored a late equalizer against Man United. (Image Source | X)
At only the age of 21, Rayan Cherki has already become a familiar name in French and world football, and this season was his coming-out party.
His record of 13 goals from 23 appearances for France's U-21 team says volumes about his talent. Although Manchester United is still keen on signing him, the negotiating table will have to wait until the next summer transfer window, especially after facing Lyon in the Europa League.
By the way, Cherki's last-minute equalizer in the first leg of the UEFA Europa Leaguequarter-final matchupsaved Lyon a 2-2 draw at home against United last week.
With Cherki catching headlines in Ligue 1, only time will tell how Lyon will deal with a possible transfer. United's desire is obvious, and if properly negotiated, Cherki's signing at Old Trafford may commence a new era for the club's attacking prowess.
Every Premier League club’s biggest Free Transfer Exit
With Trent Alexander-Arnold reportedly getting closer to leaving Liverpool and joining Real Madrid on a free transfer, we explore the biggest free transfer exit for each of the 20 Premier League sides.
There have been a few massive Bosman moves over the years, and Alexander-Arnold would be the biggest ever to leave a Premier League club. Also, If he actually pens down to a move to Los Blancos, he would definitely replace an old teammate as the biggest in the Reds' Premier League record.
In this article, we explore the biggest free transfer exits for each of the 20 Premier League clubs.
Following eight long years at the North London club, Aaron Ramsey departed Arsenal on a free transfer in July 2019 to sign for Juventus.
Ramsey's departure was disappointing but no one could question him; the wages Juventus offered him were astronomical.
Aston Villa: Thomas Hitzlsperger
(Image Source | X)
Thomas Hitzlsperger, renowned as 'Der Hammer', departed Aston Villa to change sides with VfB Stuttgart in July 2005 on a free transfer.
However, he returned to England five years later, signing with West Ham United in July 2010 and spending most of 2012/13 at Everton.
Bournemouth: Jefferson Lerma
(Image Source | X)
Even though Lerma's exit was hardly convenient for Bournemouth in the build-up to returning to the top flight, it was a huge loss for them.
He was a key figure in the Cherries' midfield and has proved to be an inspirational free transfer recruit for Crystal Palace in July 2023.
Brentford: Christian Eriksen
(Image Source | X)
The former Tottenham Hotspur midfield maestro was forced out of Serie A following his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 and Brentford gave him a return to the Premier League, which was absolutely ideal in all respects.
Though he was desperate to retain him beyond the six-month deal he signed in January 2022, Brentford were unable to persuade Eriksen to put pen to paper, and the midfielder joined Manchester United.
Brighton: Jose Izquierdo
(Image Source | X)
Jose Izquierdo departed Brighton to join Club Brugge in the Summer of 2021 on a free transfer.
The Colombian winger's stay in Belgium, however, was brief, as he retired in 2022 soon after being released by Brugge.
Chelsea: Antonio Rudiger
(Image Source | X)
Thiago Silva, Andreas Christensen, Willian, Joe Cole, Michael Ballack, N'Golo Kante, Hernan Crespo, Nicolas Anelka, Andriy Shevchenko… Chelsea have a long list in this context to choose from.
Missing out on a top Antonio Rudiger would have hurt, though. The German centre-back was at Stamford Bridge for five years before he was roped in by Real Madrid in the Summer of 2022.
Crystal Palace: Wilfried Zaha
(Image Source | X)
Zaha is undoubtedly Palace's all-time best player. He departed when his deal ran out in the summer of 2023, signing for Turkish giants Galatasaray in a bold switch for Champions League action.
After years of transfer rumors that had him joining Arsenal, Zaha failed to sparkle in Turkey and was sent out on loan to French club Lyon after one season. That did not quite work out either, and he is now playing for Charlotte FC in the MLS.
Everton: Wayne Rooney
(Image Source | X)
Not the first time, as that was for a transfer fee, but the second time, Wayne Rooney departed Everton is likely their biggest Bosman loss of the Premier League era.
Rooney netted a staggering ten goals in 30 league games in 2017/18. His departure from Goodison Park was not only felt, but his arrival in America to play for D.C. United was shocking as well.
Fulham: Tosin Adarabioyo
(Image Source | X)
Fulham messed up by allowing Moussa Dembele to move to Celtic, but that is a regret rather than a huge transfer. Tosin Adarabioyo departed the Cottagers for London rivals Chelsea in the summer of last year, during his peak years.
Ipswich: Sylvain Legwinski
(Image Source | X)
Sylvain Legwinski, a former French midfielder, left Ipswich Town following the 2007/08 season and did not join a club until April of the following year before having a couple of months at St. Neots Town.
Leicester City: Youri Tielemans
(Image Source | X)
Caglar Soyuncu was a tragic loss, but nothing is close to Tielemans' departure at the end of the 2022/23 season.
The Belgian departed a club legend, having left with his FA Cup final goal in 2021. He was reportedly linked to Arsenal for ages before ending up with Aston Villa. Having had a struggling first year with Unai Emery, Tielemans is once again one of the top midfielders in the Premier League.
Liverpool: Georginio Wijnaldum
(Image Source | X)
Liverpool lost Wijnaldum to Paris Saint-Germain in a 2021 summer transfer window that also saw the signings of Lionel Messi, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Sergio Ramos. It is little wonder that Wijnaldum's signing was overshadowed.
Manchester City: Ilkay Gundogan
(Image Source | X)
Alongside Erling Haaland and KDB, Gundogan was likely City's most crucial player in their Treble-winning 2022/23 season, with his final task as City captain being to hold aloft the Champions League trophy.
But after a year at his dream destination, Barcelona, the German midfielder renewed his connection to City, signing for the club in 2024.
Manchester United: Paul Pogba
(Image Source | X)
Pogba's experience at Manchester United was marred by debate. On His Day, he was a world beater. For the Red Devils' misfortune, he was quite literally only ever On His Day for France.
The best part of it all is that Man United let Pogba join Juventus for nothing in 2012, re-signed him for a world-record £89 million four years later, and then let him join Juventus for another free transfer in 2022.
Newcastle United: Jonas Gutierrez
(Image Source | X)
Gutierrez's departure in 2015 was typical of what Newcastle were like under Mike Ashley's ownership.
The Argentine preserved the Magpies in the Premier League after returning to the squad after suffering from cancer and wound up being let go over the telephone by John Carver.
Nottingham Forest: Stuart Pearce
(Image Source | X)
Following being at the club for 12 years, Pearce left on a Bosman move in 1997.
It was a miserable last season for Pearce, who took caretaker player-manager duties after Frank Clark's resignation. The job eventually shared with Dave Bassett, Forest slipped and a 35-year-old Pearce desired to be released, whereupon he became Newcastle United.
Southampton: Stuart Armstrong
(Image Source | X)
Stuart Armstrong departed from Southampton on a free transfer in September 2024 and signed for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
His contract at Southampton had run out at an earlier stage that summer. He was then signed as a Designated Player by the Whitecaps.
Tottenham Hotspur: Sol Campbell
(Image Source | X)
The greatest free transfer in Premier League history. The 'Big Sol' called an unexpected press conference, revealing his incredible transfer from Spurs to Arsenal in 2001, leaving everyone in sheer shock.
Campbell had already informed fans that he was remaining but rejected the opportunity to become the Spurs' best-paid player to achieve his ambition of playing in the Champions League. There was nothing to suggest Arsenal were even in the running for his signature, but stunned reporters watched the sensational and iconic unveiling.
Campbell went on to become an Arsenal legend and an integral part of the Arsenal Invicibles.
West Ham: Ben Johnson
(Image Source | X)
West Ham lost their academy gem, defender Ben Johnson, to Ipswich Town on a free transfer in July 2024.
Wolves: Adama Traore
(Image Source | X)
The Adama's future was the subject for ages' worth of talk. Spurs were in the running for a while, and most expected a switch to a big club when his Wolves deal ran out in 2023. Unfortunately, he signed for Fulham.
Wolves might have received a reasonable price for the Spanish midfielder but were unfortunate to lose him on a free transfer.
Hello and welcome to another day of LIVE football coverage on Sportz Point. Tonight, we have one of the biggest rivalries in football history scheduled for us.
Manchester United are in the 13th position on the points table with only 37 points, and Ruben Amorim would love to add more three to that after his first Manchester derby as United boss.
In the meantime, Pep Guardiola, who had tasted defeat in the Champions League, last time he faced Ruben Amorim as a Sporting Cp coach, won't mind taking the revenge.
So, sit back and relax as we bring you everything on the Manchester Derby.
LIVE Updates
Apr 6, 2025, 3:34 PM
Final Score
Apr 6, 2025, 5:32 PM
Final verdict
It was eventually a boring, actionless Manchester Derby where both teams could have been better. City lacked the depth in their attacking front, while United could not take the chances in the second half.
Zirkzee tried his best to do some damage in the second half, while Bruno was the best player on the field and won the Player of the Match award as well.
But, in the end, both teams looked like the Premier League is done for them, and they now need to end the season as quickly as possible.
This was Koushik Biswas with the real-time updates for you. I hope you enjoyed the coverage.
Ugarte went for quick volley but missed the target.
Apr 6, 2025, 4:57 PM
69' | Onana with another save
Marmoush with a beautiful and powerful side volley. But, it went straight to Onana.
Onana, with sun on his face, did well to make the save.
Apr 6, 2025, 4:55 PM
67' | Yellow card
Dalot gets the yellow card for pulling down Doku.
Apr 6, 2025, 4:53 PM
65' | Onana makes a save
Marmouns with a curling inswinging free-kick and Onana had a good look at it before making a dive to make the save.
Apr 6, 2025, 4:52 PM
Who will break the deadlock?
Apr 6, 2025, 4:50 PM
62' | Is it a penalty?
Ruben Dias dived inside the penalty box to block a cross from Dorgu.
But, it came off his chest.
Apr 6, 2025, 4:47 PM
58' | TOP CLASS FROM NUNES
Top class from Nunes as Bruno clipped one from the right for Dorgu to head the ball inside the goal.
Nunes came flying and headed the ball away for a corner.
Apr 6, 2025, 4:46 PM
58' | Change for United
In: Lindelof
Out: Maguire
Apr 6, 2025, 4:45 PM
57' | Change for City
In: Doku
Out: Foden
Apr 6, 2025, 4:43 PM
54' | Good from Ederson
Ederson first dealt with a deflection from close range and then grabbed a cross from the left by coming out aggressively.
Apr 6, 2025, 4:41 PM
53' | Easy for Onana
Easy grab for Onana as Kevin went for a shot from outside the box with his left-foot.
Apr 6, 2025, 4:39 PM
Will Amorim win first first Manchester derby?
Apr 6, 2025, 4:37 PM
48' | Chance for Foden
Huge chance for Foden as Marmoush's missed ball fell nicely for him.
But after a poor first touch, he allowed Mazaroui to clear that one.
Apr 6, 2025, 4:34 PM
46' | Yellow card
Yellow card for Beranrdo Silva for a foul on Garnacho.
Apr 6, 2025, 4:33 PM
Second half starts!
City starts things off in second half.
Apr 6, 2025, 4:19 PM
Half-time | MUN 0-0 MCI
No goals in the first half. Only one short on target from each team, and we had a timid half at Old Trafford.
Surely, we will see a few changes from both teams in the second half.
Apr 6, 2025, 4:16 PM
45' | 2 minutes added
2 minutes added as injury time.
Apr 6, 2025, 4:15 PM
44' | United asks for a yellow
Silva caught Bruno with a trailing leg. It looked worthy of a yellow, to be fair. But, the referee decided against it.
Apr 6, 2025, 4:12 PM
40' | Save from Ederson
Casemiro made a right-footed effort from close range. But, it went straight to Ederson.
Apr 6, 2025, 4:11 PM
40' | Gundo takes his chance
Gundogan, who is yet to score since returning to Etihad from Barcelona, took a chance with a right-footed shot.
But, he missed the target.
Apr 6, 2025, 4:10 PM
A few good run from Marmoush
Apr 6, 2025, 4:08 PM
Will he find the net tonight?
Apr 6, 2025, 4:03 PM
31' | Ooooppsss
Onana could not reach for the corner flying in from the left. But Mazraoui was there head the ball away from danger.
Apr 6, 2025, 4:00 PM
29' | Chance for Ugarte
Garnacho won the ball back for United, and he quickly played it to Bruno. The Portuguese then clipped the ball over for Ugarte to go for a volley. But, he could not make a great connection.
Apr 6, 2025, 3:59 PM
27' | Another chance for Dorgu
Bruno Fernandes with a good ball for Dorgu, wide on the left. Though they were expecting a cross from him, Dorgu decided to go for a shot.
Apr 6, 2025, 3:55 PM
Chance for Dorgu
Chance for Dorgu to latch on to a cutback from right.
But as he was getting closed down by Silva, a heavy touch did not help him make a use of the chance.
Apr 6, 2025, 3:54 PM
22' | Maguire to rescue again
Kevin found Foden making a run inside the box via a through ball.
However, Harry Maguire came running before Foden could make use of that pass from Kevin.
Apr 6, 2025, 3:51 PM
20' | Chance for United
Huge chance for United. Dalot with a clipped ball from right into the box.
But, Garnacho could not latch on to that after slipping inside the box.
Apr 6, 2025, 3:49 PM
18' | Save from Onana
One touch and quick turn from Kevin de Bruyne before he went for a left-footed shot.
However, the Belgian could not find the power he was looking for.
Easy save for Onana.
Apr 6, 2025, 3:47 PM
16' | Maguire does well
Harry Maguire did well to make a run from the behind to stop Marmoush going for a left-footed effort. Corner for City.
Apr 6, 2025, 3:46 PM
A few early chance created by Foden
Apr 6, 2025, 3:43 PM
12' | Foden is down
Phil Foden is down after a tackle from Casemiro.
Apr 6, 2025, 3:42 PM
10' | Foden misses the target
Nunes did well in making the run before passing the ball to Foden. Foden first went a bit deep and then took a chance with a left-footed shot.
His effort went left to the goal.
Apr 6, 2025, 3:40 PM
8' | Foden and KDB build up
Ugarte gave the ball in the mid-field and Foden took the advantage to go closer to the box, before passing it to the right to Kevin, who was found off-side by an inch.
Apr 6, 2025, 3:38 PM
4' | City have their breath back
After facing pressure in the first two minutes of the game, Manchester City now have the ball back and are looking to build up the momentum.
Apr 6, 2025, 3:33 PM
1' | Nearly a penalty
Nearly a penalty for United. Garnacho is brought down by Dias at the edge of the box.
Harry Maguire and Rasmus Hojlund are coming in for Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee as Ruben Amorim made two changes to the starting XI that lost against Nottingham Forrest in the last match.
Apr 6, 2025, 2:42 PM
In case you do not know - Kevin to leave City at the end of the season
Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, and Kevin de Bruyne returned to the starting XI for Manchester City for the Manchester derby, with Champions League qualification on the line.
Manchester Derby Stats since Premier League era started in 1992
Statistic
Manchester United
Manchester City
Overall
Total Wins
26
20
-
Home Wins
12
11
-
Away Wins
14
9
-
Total Matches Played
-
-
55
Draws
-
-
9
Apr 6, 2025, 11:02 AM
Who's ahead in head-to-head in Manchester Derby?
Statistic
Value
Total Matches Played
195
Manchester United Wins
80
Manchester City Wins
62
Draws
53
Goal Statistic
-
Apr 6, 2025, 10:58 AM
Tonight's Venue | Old Trafford Stadium
Apr 6, 2025, 10:55 AM
How to watch the match?
Football fans from India can watch the Manchester Derby live on Star Sports Select HD TV Channel and also can LIVE stream the match on JioHotstar app and website with paid subscription.
Fewest games to reach 100 Premier League assists: Kevin De Bruyne leaves on a high note
In this article, we explore the footballers who needed the fewest games to reach 100 Premier League assists, as Kevin De Bruyne tops the list with 237 games.
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has announced his decision to leave the club at the end of the 2024-25 season. The Belgian midfield maestro joined the Blue side of Manchester in 2015 and went on to mark a glittering 10-year career with the club, winning numerous personal and team accolades.
Fewest games needed to reach 100 Premier League assists:
◉ 237 - Kevin De Bruyne ◎ 293 - Cesc Fàbregas ◎ 367 - Ryan Giggs ◎ 445 - Wayne Rooney ◎ 559 - Frank Lampard
The 33-year-old midfielder has accumulated a total of 118 assists in his Premier League career across two spells with Manchester City and Chelsea, having tallied 280 appearances.
However, Kevin De Bruyne is the fastest player to register 100 assists in the Premier League, having played the fewest games among the footballers who have reached this milestone.
Here are the footballers who needed the fewest games to reach 100 Premier League assists.
Fewest games to reach 100 Premier League assists
237 - Kevin De Bruyne*
(Image Credit | Manchester City)
Kevin de Bruyne reached the 100-assist milestone in the Premier League in just 237 games, leaving behind some legendary figures who made it to this mark.
City's legendary midfielder registered his 100th assist in the competition on 8 April 2023 in Man City's 4-1 away win against Southampton. He also became the fifth player to bag a hundred assists in Premier League history.
Kevin De Bruyne reaches 100 assists in the Premier League.
De Bruyne has a total of 118 assists in his Premier League career, spanning 280 games for Chelsea and Manchester City, which is also the second-most PL assists of all time.
Cesc Fabregas, the Spanish midfield wizard, bagged a total of 111 assists across his 350 appearances for Arsenal and Chelsea in the Premier League.
Fabregas, now retired, earned his 100th Premier League assist on 31 December 2016, in his 293rd appearance in Chelsea's 4–2 home victory over Stoke City.
Febregas is also the third player on the list who has the most assists in Premier League history, while 70 of these came at Arsenal, with the other 41 coming in a Chelsea shirt.
367 - Ryan Giggs
(Image Source | X)
Ryan Giggs, the legendary Manchester United winger, tops the list for the most assists in Premier League history with a staggering 162 assists in 632 appearances, which is also the third-most PL appearances in history.
The Welsh legend took 367 games to reach the 100-assist milestone, having spent almost 25 years at Old Trafford before retiring in 2014.
Giggs is also the most decorated footballer in English football history, winning a record 34 trophies with Manchester United.
445 - Wayne Rooney
(Image Source | Independent)
Wayne Rooney is another Manchester United legend who made it to this list, having bagged a total of 103 assists in the Premier League in 491 appearances across Manchester United and Everton.
The English football legend achieved his 100th Premier League assist on November 6, 2016, during Man United's 3-1 away victory against Swansea City, his 445th PL appearance. He had two assists in the match, both for Zlatan Ibrahimović, with the first of these being his milestone 100th assist in the league.
Swansea 1-3 Manchester United. Goals from Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic seals a crucial win for the reds. #MUFC
Interestingly, that first assist for Ibrahimović also marked the 25,000th goal scored in Premier League history.
559 - Frank Lampard
(Image Credit | TFT)
Frank Lampard, the legendary midfielder for Chelsea, reached the 100-assist landmark in 559 appearances in the Premier League. The milestone assist came in Chelsea's memorable 7-1 victory at home against Aston Villa on March 27, 2010.
Lampard had a total of 102 assists in PL in a total of 609 appearances, having spent different spells across Chelsea, Manchester City, and West Ham United.
Remarkably, he is the only midfielder to have scored over 150 goals and provided over 100 assists in Premier League history.
(*the only active player on this list. The stats are accurate as of 5 April 2025)
10 biggest football transfers from Premier League to La Liga
Discover the 10 biggest football transfers from the Premier League to Laliga, featuring players like Eden Hazard, and Phillipe Coutinho and legends like Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Laliga clubs regularly own some of the biggest names in the world of football. Many of their top stars have come from abroad, often moving from the Premier League to La Liga. However, some superstars were not so successful in Laliga after the transfers. Trent Alexander Arnold is more likely to be the next biggest football transfer from the Premier League to Laliga. Discover the 10 biggest football transfers from the Premier League to Laliga, featuring players like Eden Hazard, and Phillipe Coutinho and legends like Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo.
10 biggest football transfers from Premier League to La Liga:
Rank
Player
From
To
Transfer Fee
1
Phillipe Coutinho
Liverpool
FC Barcelona
€142 million
2
Eden Hazard
Chelsea
Real Madrid
€130 million
3
Gareth Bale
Tottenham Hotspurs
Real Madrid
€85 million
4
Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester United
Real Madrid
€80 million
5
Julian Alvarez
Manchester City
Atletico Madrid
€82 million
6
Luis Suarez
Liverpool
FC Barcelona
€75 million
7
Diego Costa
Chelsea
Atletico Madrid
€57 million
8
Raphinha
Leeds United
FC Barcelona
€67 million
9
Ferran Torres
Manchester City
FC Barcelona
€46 million
10
Conor Gallagher
Chelsea
Atletico Madrid
€35 million
10. Conor Gallagher | Chelsea to Atletico Madrid | €35 million:
Image Credit: Sky Sports
Conor Gallagher was one of the key players for Chelsea in his final season. He is a Chelsea academy player, despite being an academy graduate of Chelsea, the Blues sold him to the Laliga side Atletico Madrid for €35 million and became one of the players with the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga.
He has seemed a perfect fit for Diego Simeone’s managed side, though he has rotated with other midfielders. Gallagher scored an important Champions League goal against Real Madrid, during a round of 16 match in which Atletico was heartbreakingly beaten on penalties.
9. Ferran Torres | Manchester City to FC Barcelona | €46 million:
Image Credit: Barca Universal
FC Barcelona paid €46 million to Ferran Torres from Manchester City in 2022. But he was never able to prove his worth in FC Barcelona, he was one of the failed yet one the biggest transfers from the Premier League to Laliga.
The winger had never scored more than 10 goals in a single campaign for the La Liga giants. Torres played 145 games at Barcelona and has started almost exactly half (73), which shows the coaches he has played under have been aware that he cannot impact games.
8. Raphinha | Leeds United to FC Barcelona | €50 million:
Image Credit: Republic World
Raphinha was not a major signing for FC Barcelona, yet among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. In the first season, Raphinha scored 14 goals and contributed in 15 goals. However, in the 2024/25 season, Raphinha found his lost form under Hansi Flick as he scored 27 goals and delivered 20 assists. Now the Brazilian winger is one of the players who is getting Ballon d'Or shouts in 2025.
7. Diego Costa | Chelsea to Atletico Madrid | €57 million:
Image Credit: Reddit
Costa played for Atletico Madrid on a few different occasions. He had already left once before coming back in 2010 by the time he moved to Chelsea in 2014, and four years later, he was back, with Atletico Madrid paying €57 million for him.
Diego Costa was one of the players also among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. In his final season before leaving for the Premier League, Costa scored 36 goals, and in three seasons at Stamford Bridge, he scored 59 goals and 21 assists. The Spanish forward 81 games in four seasons after his return but scored just 19 goals in that time.
6. Luis Suarez | Liverpool to FC Barcelona | €75 million:
Image Credit: FC Barcelona
Barcelona had seen enough from Suarez in just two and a half seasons at Liverpool to sign him for an initially reported fee of £75million. That he’d move onto bigger things was unsurprising after notching 31 goals and 13 assists in his final season in the Premier League.
Luis Suarez was one of the key players also among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. The Uruguayan forward scored 195 goals and assisted 113 in 283 games, in his second season at Barca, scoring a remarkable 40 La Liga goals, along with 18 assists. Across all competitions that season, Suarez scored 54 goals and assisted 24.
5. Julian Alvarez | Manchester City to Atletico Madrid | €80 million:
Image Credit: X
One of the most recent players to the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga, Julian Alvarez moved to Manchester City for Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window of the 2024 season. He already has 23 goals and five assists this season, including eight direct goal contributions in the Champions League. So far, the move looks a positive one for Alvarez.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United to Real Madrid | €80 million:
Image Credit: Sporting News
Cristiano Ronaldo was undoubtedly the best move from the Premier League to La Liga in history. He broke new ground with a transfer worth approximately £80million from Manchester United. The previous world-record transfer was Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid, which had stood for eight years.
Ronaldo was one of the most devastating forwards in the world for his entire spell at Real Madrid, scoring 450 goals and assisting 131 in 438 games. Ronaldo is the most successful and among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. He won the Ballon d’Or in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017 while he was a Real Madrid player.
3. Gareth Bale | Tottenham Hotspurs to Real Madrid | €85 million:
Image Credit: Sporting News
At the time of his transfer to Real Madrid for approximately £85million, Bale’s was a world-record move. Gareth Bale was among the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga.
Bale would win five Champions Leagues with Real, as well as three La Liga titles, among many other honors. Throughout seven seasons, he scored 106 goals and assisted 67 times.
2. Eden Hazard | Chelsea to Real Madrid | €130 million:
Image Credit: Sky Sports
Eden Hazard was one of the failed transfers yet and second-placed in the list of the biggest football transfers from the Premier League to La Liga. That he never played 20 La Liga games in a single season, showed how much Hazard struggled, and he retired at just 32 years of age, having played just 10 games in his final season. The Belgian failed to match that single-season total in 76 games across his entire Real Madrid career.
1. Phillipe Coutinho | Liverpool to FC Barcelona | €142 million:
Image Credit: Barca Blaugranes
The biggest football transfer from the Premier League to La Liga, Barcelona spent an astonishing £142million to sign the midfielder from Liverpool. At Liverpool, he had become an iconic figure, having a direct hand in 97 goals in 201 games.
After 13 direct goal contributions in his first 18 La Liga games, Coutinho slowed with only seven contributions in the 32 games he played in the season. The Brazilian left for Aston Villa, after only 39 goal contributions in 106 games at Barcelona.
Let us know your thoughts via our Twitter, moreover, you can follow us on Twitter for all the updates. Join our Telegram and WhatsApp channels to get all the news and scorelines.
Follow Us
/sportzpoint/media/post_attachments/90372636ab18a38b120b72aad1a5c691cf112be970b505bedb7f00a04fd95b1d.jpg)
/sportzpoint/media/post_attachments/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/GettyImages-83986162.jpg)
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58677559/917104040.jpg.0.jpg)