Pogba, Modric and Fabregas Included – José Mourinho’s Top 20 Most Expensive Signings

José Mourinho is one of the most famous managers in history after a trophy-laden career spanned over two decades. The self-titled ‘special one’ sent shockwaves around football by winning back-to-back European titles with Porto. That achievement is unlikely ever to be emulated by a Portuguese club and it earned him a move to Chelsea.

Mourinho’s confident demeanor made him box-office and he delivered Chelsea’s first title in 50 years before heading to Real Madrid. Iconic battles with Pep Guardiola preceded his treble win with Inter Milan before winning further European titles at Manchester United and Roma. The 61-year-old isn’t easing up with age after accepting his next challenge as Fenerbahce boss in the cauldron of Istanbul. Mourinho has worked with a plethora of world-class players across his career but who are his most expensive signings of all time? Let’s find out.

Who are Jose Mourinho’s Most Expensive Signings Ever? 

Mourinho and Paul Pogba endured a turbulent relationship at Man United but the French midfielder represents the legendary Portuguese boss’ most expensive signing. Despite losing Pogba to Juventus on a free transfer in 2012, United spent €105m to bring him back to Old Trafford four years later before eventually losing him again to Juventus on a free at the end of his six-year contract. Romelu Lukaku was sold by Mourinho to Everton in 2014 during his second spell at Chelsea but they reunited at Man United for a fee of €84.7m three years later.

Four of Mourinho’s top five most expensive signings were from his tenure at Old Trafford with midfielder Fred and Nemanja Matic included, with Andriy Shevchenko ranking 5th. Tammy Abraham’s €41m move to Roma in 2021 represents the most expensive Mourinho made whilst not managing an English club – it’s also the only deal outside of his time at Man United and Chelsea in the top ten. Two Mourinho signings at Real Madrid – Luka Modric and Ángel Di María – and Giovani Lo Celso from Tottenham are the only other non-Chelsea or Man United signings in the top 20.