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3. Aymeric Laporte - £57 million, Athletico Bilbao to Manchester City
The second most expensive French defender of all time and the most expensive one amongst the Manchester City defence, Aymeric Laporte joined Manchester City in the January transfer window last season after the Citizens paid the 24-year old's release clause amount of £57 million.
Like all new recruits, Laporte found Premier League a bit too tough but has come to the fore this season helping Manchester City maintain 14 clean sheets in his 27 appearances.
The 24-year old has made just over 50 appearances for the Citizens and has two goals to his name and already has won the Premier League and EFL Cup in his short Manchester City career.
2. Lucas Hernandez - £68 million, Atletico Madrid to Bayern Munich
The latest entry into the 'most expensive defender of all time' list, Lucas Hernandez will become the second most expensive defender of all time when he joins Bayern Munich at the end of this season. The French defender had been subjected to numerous bids from the German giants this season, but a move failed to materialize which led to Bayern Munich parting £68 million to trigger the buyout amount for the French World Cup winner.
The 23-year old will now become Bayern Munich's most expensive player ever when the French full-back joins them at the end of the season, with the second most expensive player almost half the price of Hernandez.
The versatile defender, an Atletico Madrid youth product, has over 100 appearances for the Los Rojiblancos and has a single goal to his name.
1. Virgil Van Dijk - £75 million, Southampton to Liverpool
The best in the world at the moment, Virgil Van Dijk has been a steal for the Reds even though they parted £75 million for securing the services of the Dutch captain from Southampton.
The transfer itself was controversial after the Reds were accused of tapping the Dutch captain in order to convince him to join Liverpool.
The central defender since his arrival has gone onto to be an integral part of the Reds defence this season and is expected to be one of the contenders for the Player of the season award.
Van Dijk has made 60 appearances and scored 5 goals for Liverpool so far.
