West Ham United have spent cash in recent years following its relocation to London Stadium and has had ups and downs under many different managers.
The European trophy has been on the hammer path under David Moyes, but it has also had difficulties.
This is a look at West Ham’s most expensive signature ever to see which ones were hits and which were not.
West Ham’s most expensive signature ever | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Rank | player | commission | signature | year |
1 | Lucas Pucket | £51 million | Lyon | 2022 |
2 | Sebastian Harrah | £45 million | Eintrak Frankfurt | 2019 |
3 | Mateus Fernandez | £42 million | Southampton | 2022 |
4 | McSkillman | £40 million | Wolves | 2024 |
5 | Mohamed Kudus | £38m | ajax | 2023 |
6 | Felipe Anderson | £36 million | Lazio | 2018 |
7 | Gianluca Scamago | £35.5 million | Sassoro | 2022 |
= 8 | Godline | 35m | Nice | 2025 |
= 8 | Edson Alvarez | 35m | ajax | 2010 |
= 10 | Nayef Aguerd | £30 million | Rennes | 2022 |
= 10 | James Ward Prowse | £30 million | Southampton | 2023 |
12 | Cart dry | £29.8 million | Chelsea | 2021 |
13 | Niclas Fullkrug | £27 million | Borussia Dortmund | 2024 |
14 | Nicola Vlassick | £26.8 million | CSKA Moscow | 2021 |
15 | Lewis Gilhelm | £25.5 million | Palm Tree | 2024 |
16 | Crysencio Summerville | £25 million | Leeds United | 2024 |
17 | Pablo Foral | £24 million | Villarreal | 2019 |
18 | Issa Diop | £22 million | Toulouse | 2018 |
19 | Andre Au | £20.5m | Swansea City | 2016 |
= 20 | Benlama said | £20 million | Brentford | 2021 |
= 20 | Marko arnautovic | £20 million | Stoke City | 2017 |
= 20 | Mads Hermansen | £20 million | Leicester City | 2025 |
Details of the 10 most expensive signatures for West Ham…
10
Nayef Aguerd
£30 million from Rennes
Nayef Aguerd came in with a big reputation and a hefty £30 million price tag, but was injured quickly.
He spent more than three years at London Stadium before being sold to Marseille in 2025 for £20 million.
9
Edson Alvarez
£35 million from Ajax
In 2023, bringing interest from both midfielders Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea, it was like a coup d’etat for Hammer to land Edson Alvarez.
However, Mexico International was loaned to Turkish side Fenerbafe just two years later.
8
Godline
£35 million from Nice
Jean-Clair Todibo initially joined West Ham on loan, but in 2025 the defender’s move was permanent with an eye-catching £35 million fee.
After competing in 24 Premier League in 2024/25, the obligation to sign Todibo was active from Nice.
7
Gianluca Scamago
£35.5 million from Sassuolo
Despite scoring eight goals in 27 games for Hammer, three of them came in the conference league, but things never went well at Gianluca Scamacca in East London.
The injury certainly didn’t help, but there was nothing I hadn’t clicked on this move. It’s hard to call it anything other than a flop.
6
Felipe Anderson
£36 million from Lazio
Felipe Anderson was definitely a good player when he arrived at the club, but considering he came in as a signing club record, it’s hard to see his spell as a disappointment.
Brazil International has made 73 appearances and provided 25 target contributions. This feels like an overwhelming set of numbers. He was sold to Lazio in 2021.
5
Mohamed Kudus
£38 million from Ajax
Mohamed Kudus spent West Ham from Ajax for £38 million in 2023, and the Gananians were electricity at London Stadium for a period of time.
But fast forward to 2025, he signed Tottenham Hotspur across London, but the irons made a profit by cashing for £55 million.
4
McSkillman
40 million pounds from wolves
During Julen Lopetegi’s time at West Ham, the club put cash on wolf centre back Mackilman.
Lopetegui, who worked for Molineux, signed a seven-year contract until 2031 for £40 million.
3
Mateus Fernandez
£42 million from Southampton
Mateus Fernandez
2
Sebastian Harrah
£45 million from Eintracht Frankfurt
Sebastian Harler was a West Ham flop and was expensive, at £45 million. He scored 14 goals in 54 games for the club, often looking completely lost.
Since his spell with the Irons, the forward hit the best form of his career with Ajax and won a move towards Borussia Dortmund.
1
Lucas Pucket
£51 million from Lyon
Lucas Paketa is at the top of the charts as West Ham’s record signature, and it’s probably fair to say he’s got off to a slow start at London Stadium.
The Brazilian has gained strength from his hammer and strength, and has signed a contract until 2027.
