Bellingham HIT, Mudryk FLOP: How the 10 most expensive transfers of 2023 have performed

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 9 Oct 2023 09:30 BST
• 5 min read

This year has been another big one when it comes to astronomical transfer fees, with six deals costing €100 million or more.

A further five have cost between €70-100m.

Out of the 10 biggest transfers of 2023, we look at who has shone and who has struggled.

READ MORE: Premier League 2023/24 summer transfers: All the Done Deals

Jude Bellingham (Dortmund to Real Madrid, 2023) - €134m

Jude Bellingham has been a revelation since becoming Real Madrid’s record transfer this summer.

He has single-handedly carried Madrid at times during the early part of the season and is top scorer with 10 goals in 10 games.

Arguably the most in-form player in the world in 2023-24.

Verdict: A sensational start

Moises Caicedo (Brighton to Chelsea, 2023) - €134m

Big things are expected of Moises Caicedo after his British transfer record move from Brighton this summer.

He had a difficult start, giving away a penalty on his debut in the loss to West Ham. He then picked up an injury but has helped Chelsea go on a three-match winning run over the last 10 days.

Verdict: Difficult start but picking up now.

READ MORE: Saudi Pro League summer transfers 2023: All the Done Deals

Declan Rice (West Ham to Arsenal, 2023) - €122m

Declan Rice became Arsenal’s record signing this past summer as Mikel Arteta brought in the player he thought could help the Gunners end a 20-year Premier League trophy drought.

So far, so good for Rice, who has protected the Arsenal back four expertly and even provided a crucial goal in the 3-1 win over Man Utd.

This has helped Arsenal to go joint-top of the Premier League.

Verdict: An excellent start

Enzo Fernandez (Benfica to Chelsea, 2023) - €121m

Between Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea have splashed out over €350m on two central midfielders in 2023.

Enzo arrived in January and has been one of the better signings in Todd Boehly’s €1 billion outlay over the last year.

More is still required but Enzo has been one of the better Chelsea signings over the last year.

Verdict: Decent to good so far

Harry Kane (Tottenham to Bayern Munich, 2023) - €101m

Bayern Munich belatedly signed their replacement for Robert Lewandowski one year after losing him to Barcelona.

Harry Kane was very expensive given he is now 30 but he is a banker for goals this season.

He already has nine in 10 games. A guaranteed success.

Verdict: A brilliant start.

Mykhailo Mudryk (Shakhtar Donetsk to Chelsea, 2023) - €100m

Mudryk appeared overpriced when he joined in January given his small sample size for club and country.

And the Ukrainian has proven to be a disaster so far. He has managed just one goal and two assists in 25 appearances in a series of horror displays.

He did finally score his first goal for the club last week, though.

Verdict: A disaster so far.

Neymar (PSG to Al-Hilal, 2023) - €90m

Neymar became the most expensive player in history this summer in terms of combined transfer fees as he joined the Saudi Arabian revolution.

Five games and just one goal for Neymar thus far for Al-Hilal, though it is too early to grade him.

Verdict: Too early to grade.

Rasmus Hojlund (Atalanta to Man Utd, 2023) - €85m

Just like Neymar, it is too early to grade Rasmus Hojlund after his €85m move from Atalanta. He has failed to score in five Premier League games but he did, however, find the net three times in total in the Champions League defeats to Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.

So far it has been a terrible season for Man Utd on and off the pitch, and they will be desperately hoping for Hojlund to perform.

Verdict: Too early to grade

Kai Havertz (Chelsea to Arsenal, 2023) - €75m

Havertz joined Arsenal in a surprise move in a deal worth €75m but has struggled to make a positive impression in his early weeks at the Emirates Stadium.

He has just one goal (a penalty) and one assist from his first 12 matches.

Verdict: A difficult start.

Sandro Tonali (Milan to Newcastle, 2023) - €70m

Sandro Tonali was Newcastle’s landmark signing of the summer and he immediately made a brilliant start to his career.

He scored in a man-of-the-match debut against Aston Villa. Since then he has been so-so in the Premier League but he did impress in the 4-1 Champions League win over PSG.

Verdict: Brilliant debut, so-so since.