'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
From Jay Jay Okocha's breathtaking skills to Didier Drogba's sharp shooting, African footballers have illuminated the European leagues time and again.
African powerhouses like Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Cameroon have always supplied talented footballers to the European leagues, but recently, lesser known footballing countries such as Egypt, Algeria, and Guinea have started churning out one top player after another.
In light of recent high profile transfers of African footballers, let's take a look at the top 5 expensive African footballers of all time.
#5 Islam Slimani
The Algerian hitman made headlines when he joined Leicester City on 31st August 2016 for a reported fee of £29 million. Slimani found the back of the net 48 times in 82 appearances for Sporting CP, and Claudio Ranieri hoped that he could repeat his exploits for the Foxes. Slimani, a big, powerful centre forward provided the much-needed variation in Leicester's attack which mostly depended on Vardy's pace.
Slimani scored only seven times for Leicester in the 2016-17 season and will hope to have a larger impact this season to justify his position as one of the most expensive African footballers!
#4 Eric Bailly
When Jose Mourinho joined Manchester United as their manager, fans were expecting fireworks in the transfer window. Mourinho took everyone by surprise by making the Ivorian defender his first signing.
Mourinho trusted the 22-year-old to solve the Red Devils' defensive woes and paid a hefty sum of £30 million to Villarreal to secure his service. While it seemed a major gamble at that time, Bailly turned out to be a bargain. A ball playing defender with Vidicesque commitment, Bailly provided the much-needed solidity to United's backline and has become one of the first names on Mourinho's team sheet.
#3 Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane was a standout performer for Southampton in the 2015-16 season and all the big clubs were vying to sign him.
It came as no surprise when Liverpool broke the bank and paid the Saints £34 million to make him the world's most expensive African at that time. While many doubted his consistency, Mane proved his critics wrong instantly by scoring a wonder goal against Arsenal on his league debut.
The Reds suffered a considerable dip in form when Mane left for the African Cup of Nations which showed how important he had become for them. Mane finished the season with 13 league goals and was voted as Liverpool's player of the year.
#2 Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah was not a new name to an avid Premier League fan. Signed by Chelsea in 2014, Salah was destined for greatness. Sadly, his stint at Chelsea didn't work out and he moved on to the Serie A where he took the league by storm.
The Egyptian was perhaps Roma's best player in the 2016-17 season, scoring 15 league goals, helping them secure the runner up position in the league. His blistering pace, sleek dribbling, and an eye for the goal made him a target for many clubs this summer.
Liverpool didn't waste any time and whipped out £36.9 million to make him the most expensive African footballer at that point of time. Klopp hoped that the Egyptian can replicate his past season's form in Liverpool colours and if morning shows the day, he might just be bettering it exploits from the last season.
#1 Naby Keita
Naby Keita became a household name last season when his exploits helped RB Leipzig give Bayern a run for their money in the Bundesliga.
The dynamic Guinean midfielder has all the traits of a complete central midfielder - strong, good with his feet, great vision, and can score the occasional Gerradesque scorcher. Jurgen Klopp made Keita his prime target as it would strengthen the Liverpool midfield and make them one of the top contenders for the league title.
While RB Leipzig were adamant that their star player won't be sold, Liverpool have finally landed the knockout punch. Paying a whopping £48 million and some added premiums, the Reds have secured the service of the Guinean international from 1st July 2018. In this bloated transfer window, Liverpool certainly have a bargain on their hands. Keita might very well be the missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle which will help Liverpool in the quest for their 19th league title!
