The Smartest Bargain EPL Transfers in History
The Premier League is known for its record-breaking bargains and transfers, with clubs spending hundreds of millions to secure top talent. However, not all great signings come with hefty price tags. Some of the smartest bargain transfers in EPL history have been low-cost deals that turned into incredible success stories, proving that spending big isn’t always necessary for success.
From hidden gems to undervalued stars, we explore the 10 smartest bargain transfers in Premier League history—players who were signed for next to nothing but delivered huge returns on investment.
10. James Milner – Free Transfer to Liverpool (2015)
🔹 Transfer Fee: Free
🔹 Achievements: Premier League & Champions League winner
James Milner joined Liverpool on a free transfer in 2015 and became one of the most important players in Jurgen Klopp’s system. His leadership, versatility, and experience played a massive role in Liverpool’s modern success.
🔥 Why It Was an EPL Transfers Bargain: +–A Champions League & Premier League-winning player for absolutely nothing? That’s an all-time bargain.
9. Michu – Rayo Vallecano to Swansea (£2m, 2012)
🔹 Transfer Fee: £2 million
🔹 Achievements: 18 Premier League goals in debut season, League Cup winner
Swansea City’s £2m signing of Michu remains one of the most incredible bargain transfers in EPL history. The Spaniard scored 18 Premier League goals in his debut season, leading Swansea to their first major trophy.
🔥 Why It Was an EPL Transfers Bargain: For just £2m, Swansea got a player who outscored many £50m+ strikers in the league.
8. Peter Schmeichel – Brøndby to Manchester United (£505k, 1991)
🔹 Transfer Fee: £505,000
🔹 Achievements: 5 Premier League titles, 1 Champions League
Sir Alex Ferguson once called Schmeichel the “bargain of the century”, and it’s easy to see why. Signed for just £505,000, the Danish goalkeeper became one of the greatest in history, helping United win the 1999 treble.
🔥 Why It Was an EPL Transfers Bargain: Schmeichel was arguably worth 100 times more than his transfer fee based on his impact.
7. Andy Robertson – Hull City to Liverpool (£8m, 2017)
🔹 Transfer Fee: £8 million
🔹 Achievements: Premier League title, Champions League winner
When Liverpool signed Andy Robertson from Hull City for £8m, many thought he would be a backup left-back. Instead, he became one of the best full-backs in world football, playing a key role in Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League triumphs.
🔥 Why It Was an EPL Transfers Bargain: Robertson has been world-class for a fraction of the price of modern full-backs.
6. Dele Alli – MK Dons to Tottenham (£5m, 2015)
🔹 Transfer Fee: £5 million
🔹 Achievements: PFA Young Player of the Year (twice), key player for Spurs
Signed from League One side MK Dons, Dele Alli became one of the best young players in England, scoring double-digit goals from midfield for multiple seasons.
🔥 Why It Was an EPL Transfers Bargain: For just £5m, Tottenham got a player who outperformed much more expensive midfielders for several years.
5. N’Golo Kanté – Caen to Leicester (£5.6m, 2015)
🔹 Transfer Fee: £5.6 million
🔹 Achievements: Premier League title with Leicester, Premier League & Champions League with Chelsea
Leicester City’s signing of N’Golo Kanté for just £5.6m from Caen in 2015 changed Premier League history. The energetic midfielder was the driving force behind Leicester’s incredible 2015-16 title-winning season.
🔥 Why It Was an EPL Transfers Bargain: Kanté went on to become one of the best midfielders in world football, later winning the Champions League with Chelsea.
4. Mohamed Salah – Roma to Liverpool (£36.9m, 2017)
🔹 Transfer Fee: £36.9 million
🔹 Achievements: Premier League title, Champions League, multiple Golden Boots
Liverpool’s decision to re-sign Salah after a failed stint at Chelsea proved to be a masterstroke. Many questioned his £36.9m price tag, but he quickly became one of the best players in the world, breaking multiple goal-scoring records.
🔥 Why It Was an EPL Transfers Bargain: Salah’s goal output and impact on Liverpool’s trophy success make his transfer fee look ridiculously low in hindsight.
3. Vincent Kompany – Hamburg to Manchester City (£6m, 2008)
🔹 Transfer Fee: £6 million
🔹 Achievements: 4 Premier League titles, multiple domestic cups
Before Manchester City became the financial powerhouse they are today, they pulled off one of the best bargain deals ever—signing Vincent Kompany for just £6m from Hamburg.
🔥 Why It Was an EPL Transfers Bargain: Kompany became one of the greatest defenders and captains in Premier League history, leading City to their first-ever Premier League title in 2012.
2. Thierry Henry – Juventus to Arsenal (£11m, 1999)
🔹 Transfer Fee: £11 million
🔹 Achievements: 2 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups, Arsenal’s all-time top scorer
When Arsène Wenger signed Thierry Henry from Juventus for £11m, many doubted his ability to succeed in the Premier League. However, Henry became Arsenal’s greatest-ever player, scoring 228 goals and leading the club to their Invincible season in 2003-04.
🔥 Why It Was an EPL Transfers Bargain: In today’s market, a player of Henry’s quality and impact would cost well over £100m.
1. Eric Cantona – Leeds United to Manchester United (£1.2m, 1992)
🔹 Transfer Fee: £1.2 million
🔹 Achievements: 4 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups
Manchester United’s £1.2m signing of Eric Cantona from Leeds in 1992 is regarded as one of the greatest EPL Transfers in football history. The French forward transformed United’s attack, leading them to their first league title in 26 years.
🔥 Why It Was an EPL Transfers Bargain: Cantona’s influence laid the foundation for United’s dominance under Sir Alex Ferguson, making him worth far more than his modest transfer fee.
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Final Thoughts
These EPL transfers bargain prove that smart scouting and good management can sometimes be more valuable than spending millions on star players. From Cantona’s impact on Manchester United to Kanté’s role in Leicester’s fairytale title win, these deals changed the course of Premier League history.
💬 Which bargain EPL transfer do you think was the smartest? Let us know in the comments!
