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While most of the big bucks in the game are usually reserved for forwards and other outfield players, the transfer fees for goalkeepers have witnessed a significant increase in recent years.
Five most expensive goalkeepers in the world
Italian and Juventus Gianluigi Buffon was the most expensive goalkeeper for 17 years before the tag changed hands twice in a matter of weeks in the 2018 summer transfer window.
On that note, let's take a look at the five most expensive goalkeepers in world football.
#5 Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) | €35 million
Real Madrid no.1 Thibaut Courtois has been one of the finest goalkeepers in recent years and continued his fine form this season too.
Courtois has had 20 clean sheets in 46 appearances across all competitions this season, with 16 of them coming in the La Liga.
The 28-year old is second in the La Liga 'Golden Glove' race - just one behind Jan Oblak (17). If the Los Blancos stopper produces a strong end to his campaign and overtakes Oblak, it would substantially increase Real Madrid's chances of winning La Liga and also the Champions League.
The Belgian made the switch from Chelsea to Real Madrid on a €35 million transfer fee in the 2018 summer transfer window after a magical loan spell with Atletico Madrid.
#4 Ederson (Manchester City) | €40 million
After many changes in the goalkeeping department over the past few years, Manchester City finally found their man - the dynamic ball-playing custodian, Ederson.
The Brazilian's arrival on a €40 million fee from Benfica allowed the City defence to play out more balls out from the back, much in line with Pep Guardiola's playing philosophy.
The City manager's ideology of total football is much simpler to implement with a goalkeeper who is calm and collected on the ball and can pick out a long pass or move the play upfield quickly. Ederson is extremely good with the ball at his feet but better with the gloves, which is evident in his tally of 18 clean sheets in the Premier League this season.
The 27-year old has the most clean sheets (18) in the 2020-21 Premier League and 25 clean sheets across all competitions this season.
#3 Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus) | €52.9 million
Gianluigi Buffon is arguably one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the game.
Buffon's then-world record transfer fee of €52.9 million shocked the footballing world, as such amounts were unheard of in 2001 - especially for a goalkeeper.
But looking back, it would be fair to say that Juventus got more than their money's worth and more. Buffon has established himself as one of the greats in his 17-season stint with the Bianconeri.
The Italian had made his professional debut with Parma and earned his name as one of Italy's finest talents during his seven-season stay at the club.
The Italian has enjoyed a trophy-laden career, which includes the FIFA World Cup trophy, ten Serie A titles, five Coppa Italia titles, a Ligue 1 title with PSG and the Europa League (then-called the UEFA Cup) with Parma.
However, the Champions League trophy is conspicuous by its absence in the 43-year old's glittering trophy cabinet.
#2 Alisson (Liverpool) | €62.5 million
Much like Ederson, his Brazilian compatriot, Alisson, was the answer to Liverpool's goalkeeping woes.
Liverpool suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in the 2017-18 Champions League final. The disappointing aspect was not Liverpool's performance upfield but the performance of a certain Loris Karius in goal.
Karius endured a forgettable night, making two huge mistakes that directly led to goals, leading to Liverpool signing Alisson a month later. The Brazilian won four major trophies in his first two years at the club - Champions League, Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.
Alisson won the Premier League's Golden Glove accolade in his first season of English football, registering 21 clean sheets in his debut season followed by 17 in Liverpool's victorious 2019-20 campaign.
Liverpool's lengthy injury list, especially in defence, along with Alisson's form this season, has led to an underwhelming return of only seven clean sheets from 29 Premier League appearances.
#1 Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea) | €80 million
Chelsea custodian Kepa Arrizabalaga is the world's most expensive goalkeeper. While all the other names in our list have established themselves as their club's no.1, Kepa lost his starting berth to Chelsea's latest signing, Edouard Mendy.
While the Spaniard is still the proud owner of Chelsea's No.1 shirt, he has failed to live up to his huge price tag, producing massively underwhelming performances in the 2019-20 season.
After being initially dropped by Frank Lampard, Kepa was unable to earn Thomas Tuchel's trust as well. Following successive starts against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final and Brighton in the Premier League, Kepa was relegated to the bench once again as he continues to be a pale shadow of his illustrious self at Athletic Bilbao.
The Spaniard was regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in world football during his 3-season spell in the Spanish top flight. But in the ongoing 2020-21 season, Kepa Arrizabalaga has made only 11 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions.
