Ronaldo, Neymar, Mbappe: The 10 most expensive signings in each position ranked

The summer transfer window opens tomorrow (Friday 10 June).

Clubs will officially be able to start signing players and announcing them.

It’s set to be a very interesting summer indeed.

But clubs should be cautious. Spending loads of money on one player doesn’t always guarantee success.

To prove just that, Gabriele Marcotti has analysed the 10 most expensive signings ever in each position and graded them out of five for ESPN.

Are big transfers worth it? You’d have to say no judging by the fact there are more 1/5s than 5/5s…

All figures have been sourced through Transfermarkt and signings made last summer aren’t included due to only being at their club for less than 12 months. All rankings per Marcotti and ESPN.

1. Kepa Arrizabalaga, 23Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea, €80m, 2018Grade: 1/5

2. Alisson, 25Roma to Liverpool, €62.5m, 2018Grade: 4/5

3. Gianluigi Buffon, 23Parma to Juventus, €53m, 2001Grade: 5/5

4. Ederson, 23Benfica to Manchester City, €40m, 2017Grade: 4/5

5. Thibaut Courtois, 26Chelsea to Real Madrid, €35m, 2018Grade: 4/5

6. Manuel Neuer, 25Schalke to Bayern, €30m, 2011Grade: 5/5

7. Jordan Pickford, 23Sunderland to Everton, €28.5m, 2017Grade: 4/5

8. Francesco Toldo, 29Fiorentina to Inter, €26.5m, 2001Grade: 3/5

9. Bernd Leno, 26Bayer Leverkusen to Arsenal, €25m, 2018Grade: 2/5

10. David de Gea, 20Atletico Madrid to Manchester United, €25m, 2011Grade: 4/5

It’s not a great start with the most expensive goalkeeper ever, Kepa, being ranked 1/5. He’s now the club’s second-string ‘keeper behind Edouard Mendy.

However, generally, if you spend big on a goalkeeper it tends to work out well. Alisson for €62.5m, Buffon for €53m, Ederson for €40m, Courtois for €35m, Neuer for €30m and Pickford for €28.5m have all been ranked