Atletico Madrid's 10 most expensive transfers of all time

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 15 Aug 2024 12:53 BST
• 6 min read

Atletico Madrid may not have the pedigree or spending power of Barcelona or Real Madrid, but they are still known as one of the richest clubs in world football.

The Spanish giants have consistently fought for LaLiga during Diego Simeone’s time in charge, which has been possible thanks to numerous smart signings.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through the 10 most expensive Atletico Madrid transfers of all time.

READ MORE: Barcelona's 10 most expensive transfers of all time

10. Jackson Martinez - €35m (from Porto, 2015)

In an attempt to copy their success of signing Radamel Falcao from Porto, Atletico Madrud purchased Jackson Martinez in 2015.

He was one of the most promising forwards in world football during his time at Porto and his form in Portugal convinced Atletico Madrid to spend €35m on him.

After just six months, 22 games, three goals and two assists, Martinez left the Spanish giants to join the Chinese Super League.

READ MORE: Real Madrid's 10 most expensive transfers of all time

9. Rodrigo De Paul - €35m (from Udinese, 2021)

Rodrigo De Paul was Udinese’s standout player during his time in Serie A and Atletico Madrid decided to splash €35m to sign the Argentine in 2021.

He played a key role as his nation won the 2022 World Cup and he established himself as one of the world’s most underrated players upon linking up with Atleti.

8. Alvaro Morata - €35m (from Chelsea, 2020)

13 years after leaving Atletico Madrid’s youth set-up, Alvaro Morata returned to the club in 2020.

The forward initially arrived at Atletico on a season-long loan deal, with the Spanish giants paying Chelsea an €18m loan fee for the privilege.

When the move was made permanent for €35m, Morata was surprisingly loaned immediately to Juventus for two seasons, before he returned to Atletico in 2022.

After 154 appearances and 58 goals for the club, he joined AC Milan for €13m in 2024.

7. Matheus Cunha - €35m (from Hertha Berlin, 2021)

After just one season at Hertha Berlin, Mathues Cunha left the club to join Atletico Madrid for €35m. As a result, he is the Spanish club’s seventh-most expensive signing of all time.

Despite his price tag, Cunha was never able to establish himself as a starter under Diego Simeone and he tallied less than 2,000 minutes of action before being loaned to Wolves in January 2023.

The Premier League club then made the move permanent for an insane fee of €50m.

6. Vitolo - €35m (from Sevilla, 2017)

This was a disastrous signing. Vitolo was never one of LaLiga’s elite talents during his time at Sevilla, and he failed to establish himself as a regular in the starting XI upon joining Atletico.

The Spaniard mustered just 4,000 minutes of action during his time with Atletico and he was loaned out on three separate occasions before departing on a free transfer in 2024.

5. Radamel Falcao - €40m (from Porto, 2011)

At his peak, Radamel Falcao was arguably the best striker in world football. Thankfully for Atletico Madrid fans, his peak came during his time with the Spanish giants.

Following a fruitful spell at Porto, Atleti splashed €40m on the Colombian and he instantly proved to be value-for-money.

Falcao scored 70 goals in just 91 appearances for Atletico Madrid and he helped the club win the Europa League during his debut campaign - his second consecutive triumph in the competition after winning it with Porto in 2011.

He left to join free-spending Monaco for €43m in 2013.

4. Diego Costa - €60m (from Chelsea, 2018)

Three-and-a-half years after leaving Atletico Madrid, Diego Costa returned to the club in January 2018 after a fall-out with Antonio Conte at Chelsea.

The Spaniard notched 59 goals in 120 games for Chelsea, helping them win two Premier League titles, but he left in unceremonious fashion just 18 months later.

Costa re-joined Atletico for €60m, however his form never justified that price tag and his contract was terminated in January 2021.

3. Thomas Lemar - €72m (from Monaco, 2018)

Thomas Lemar finally left AS Monaco in 2018, with Atletico Madrid forking out a whopping €72m to sign the Frenchman.

Lemar was set to join Liverpool one year prior, but the move collapsed and he eventually joined Atleti instead.

After a difficult start to life in Spain, Lemar was moulded into a central midfielder by Diego Simeone - a role that suited him perfectly.

2. Julian Alvarez - €75m (from Man City, 2024)

Julian Alvarez became the second-most expensive signing in Atletico Madrid’s history when he joined the club from Manchester City in 2024.

The Argentina international, who helped his nation win the 2022 World Cup, joined Atleti for an initial €75m after spending two years with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.

Despite playing a back-up role to Erling Haaland, Alvarez notched 36 goals in 103 appearances for Man City, but he sought an exit in order to increase his game time.

1. Joao Felix - €127.2m (from Benfica, 2019)

Joao Felix was courted by every elite club in Europe after he burst onto the scene at Benfica. Atletico Madrid won the race for his signature, and he joined the club as Antoine Griezmann’s replacement in 2019.

However, Felix never quite suited Diego Simeone’s style of football and he struggled to adapt to life at the Wanda Metropolitano, despite helping the club win LaLiga during his second campaign.

Felix joined Chelsea on loan in January 2023, and he then spent the entire 2023-24 campaign on loan at Barcelona.

The 10 most expensive Atletico Madrid signings of all time