Discover the Latest Deals
The Premier League is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious leagues in world football. Players from around the globe aspire to showcase their talent in England’s top tier, which traditionally meant British players had little need to venture far to represent esteemed clubs. This inclining led many to prefer the comfort of playing domestically. During England’s so-called ‘Golden Generation,’ most stars, barring possibly David Beckham, primarily spent their peak years within the Premier League. At the 2010 World Cup, every player in England’s squad was playing in the English top flight, making them one of only three countries—along with Italy and Germany—to have every squad member based in their home league.
However, today’s landscape has significantly shifted, with a notable increase in top British talents pursuing opportunities in foreign leagues. Jude Bellingham, currently valued at €180m, has spent the last six seasons abroad, playing for Borussia Dortmund and now Real Madrid. Harry Kane made the switch from Tottenham to Bayern Munich, and more British players are following in their footsteps, including Bellingham’s younger brother, Jobe, who transitioned from Sunderland to Dortmund this summer. Full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has also joined Real Madrid, and Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah is nearing a lucrative deal with Bayer Leverkusen.
Are Foreign Clubs Investing More in British Talent?
An analysis of transfer data clearly indicates a resounding yes. The graphic below highlights a striking surge in spending by foreign clubs on British players since the 2023/24 season. The previous record for a single season was set in 2013/14, reaching €113m, primarily due to Real Madrid’s acquisition of Gareth Bale. However, in the 2023/24 season, spending soared to €289m, marked by high-profile transfers of Kane (€95m) and Bellingham (€113m), a trend that has persisted since.
Last summer alone, €213m was spent on British players, with Connor Gallagher and Ivan Toney making €42m moves to Atlético Madrid and Al-Ahli, respectively. This trend shows no signs of slowing down; with July still ahead, foreign clubs have already allocated €80m towards British talent. This includes Jobe Bellingham’s €30.5m transfer to Dortmund and Alexander-Arnold’s €10m compensation deal with Real Madrid for an early signing. Quansah is expected to join Leverkusen for around €42m, and other prominent British players, such as Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, and Andy Robertson, could also make transfers abroad this summer.
The list above showcases the top 10 most expensive transfers of British players to clubs outside the UK. Notably, eight out of these ten deals occurred since 2021, with the exceptions being Bale’s (2013/14) and Beckham’s (2003/04) transfers to Real Madrid. Recently, Scotsman Scott McTominay earned the title of Serie A Player of the Season after leading Napoli to the Scudetto, while Kane claimed the Bundesliga Player of the Season award after triumphing with Bayern Munich, and Bellingham continues to impress at Real Madrid. British players are making a significant impact across the European leagues like never before.