FULL LIST: From Diomande to Aubameyang: Africa’s most expensive players

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Real Madrid’s reported signing of Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig has placed the Ivory Coast winger at the top of the list of Africa’s most expensive footballers in history.

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The 19-year-old’s move to the Santiago Bernabéu is reportedly worth $144 million, making him the most expensive African player on the list and highlighting Real Madrid’s continued investment in young elite talent.

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Diomande enjoyed a breakthrough season at RB Leipzig, where his performances attracted interest from several European giants before Real Madrid moved to secure his signature.

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Former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pépé ranks second on the list following his $92 million transfer from Lille to the Premier League club. The Ivorian winger joined Arsenal after impressing in France and became one of the club’s most expensive signings at the time.

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Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen features prominently on the list twice. His move from Lille to Napoli was valued at $91 million, while his permanent transfer from Napoli to Galatasaray was reportedly worth $87 million.

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Manchester City have also been involved in several major deals, with Egypt international Omar Marmoush joining from Eintracht Frankfurt for $87 million and Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo arriving from Bournemouth for $83 million.

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Manchester United’s signing of Cameroon international Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford also ranks among the biggest transfers, with the deal valued at $87 million as the Red Devils strengthened their attacking options.

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Paris Saint-Germain’s acquisition of Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi from Inter Milan was another significant deal, with the transfer valued at $78 million.

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Algeria winger Riyad Mahrez’s move from Leicester City to Manchester City also appears on the list at $78 million, while Ghana midfielder Mohammed Kudus’ transfer from West Ham United to Tottenham Hotspur was valued at $74 million.

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Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang completes the list with a reported transfer value of $74 million.

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As reported by Bleacher Report on X on Thursday, the following are the most expensive African players in football history:

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Yan Diomande — RB Leipzig to Real Madrid — $144m

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Nicolas Pépé — Lille to Arsenal — $92m

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Victor Osimhen — Lille to Napoli — $91m

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Omar Marmoush — Eintracht Frankfurt to Manchester City — $87m

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Bryan Mbeumo — Brentford to Manchester United — $87m

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Victor Osimhen — Napoli to Galatasaray — $87m

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Antoine Semenyo — Bournemouth to Manchester City — $83m

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Achraf Hakimi — Inter Milan to Paris Saint-Germain — $78m

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Riyad Mahrez — Leicester City to Manchester City — $78m

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Mohammed Kudus — West Ham United to Tottenham Hotspur — $74m

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang — $74m

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The figures reflect the growing influence of African footballers in the global transfer market, with Europe’s biggest clubs increasingly investing heavily in players from the continent.

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