The 6 most expensive loan signings in football history

In recent times, the football landscape has witnessed a frequent occurrence of substantial financial transactions.

The transfer record has been shattered eight times since the turn of the millennium in 2000. On occasions of urgency or a need to bolster their squad, teams hastily enter the market, securing available players.

There's a potential upcoming instance of this trend, as rumours connect Karim Benzema with a loan move to the Premier League, per GOAL.

Examining the top six most costly loan signings in football history, Sports Brief scrutinises the performance of these players during their temporary stints.

Most expensive loan signings

6. Carlos Tevez (€12.7m - Manchester United: 2007-2009)

Back in 2007, Carlos Tevez stood out as one of the most coveted figures in global football. Following a controversial transfer to West Ham United, the Argentine showcased his brilliance by ensuring their Premier League survival with a decisive goal at Old Trafford.

Ironically, that iconic venue would become his next destination, as Sir Alex Ferguson invested €12.7m to bring him to the club for a two-year stint.

5. James Rodriguez (€13m - Bayern Munich: 2017-2019)

Following his standout performances in the 2014 World Cup, he moved to Real Madrid but didn't achieve the superstar status many anticipated.

To elevate his career, he was loaned to Bayern Munich, another European powerhouse. The two-year stint, involving a €13m investment by the Bavarians, resulted in James Rodriguez's return to the Bernabeu and scoring against his parent club in the Champions League.

4. Duvan Zapata (€14m - Atalanta: 2018-2020)

The summer of 2018 brought an unusual twist for Duvan Zapata. Despite completing a season on loan at Sampdoria, his status changed to a permanent move due to the club's obligation to buy as part of their agreement with Napoli. However, a mere eleven days later, Zapata found himself in motion once more, this time making his way to Atalanta.

The loan agreement, valued at approximately €14m, extended for 18 months before transitioning into a permanent deal in January 2020. Throughout his tenure with the club, Zapata secured the position of its second-highest goalscorer.

3. Giovani Lo Celso (€16m - Tottenham Hotspur: 2019/2020)

Coming from PSG, the Argentine standout caught Spurs' attention with his performances at Real Betis, prompting them to shatter their transfer record for his acquisition. Similar to several other transactions on this list, the deal unfolded in two stages.

The initial phase involved a season-long loan valued at €16m before transitioning to a permanent arrangement the subsequent summer. Lo Celso has experienced highs and lows in his north London journey, but he has recently found top form.

2. Alvaro Morata (€18m - Atletico Madrid; 2019-2020)

Alvaro Morata is a familiar face in the ever-shifting landscape of Europe's elite football clubs. With stints at Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Juventus, he has accumulated substantial transfer fees throughout his career. His initial tenure with Juventus commenced in January 2019. Following a lacklustre 18 months at Chelsea, Diego Simeone orchestrated Morata's return to Spain through a comparable-length loan deal.

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Chelsea received €18m from the loan, a sum that was later augmented when Atletico Madrid cemented the deal as permanent in the summer of 2020.

1. Alvaro Morata (€20m - Juventus: 2020-2022)

Securing both the top positions, the Spaniard's comeback to Turin narrowly surpasses his move to Atletico. Having previously been part of the Italian squad from 2014 to 2016, Morata made a remarkable return to Juventus, commanding a hefty €20m fee.

In contrast to the loan arrangement with Madrid, this venture did not culminate in a permanent transfer. Instead, the attacker headed back to Spain after completing a two-year stint.