The 2025 football transfer window has been nothing short of historic for African footballers, marking a shift in the business landscape of the sport across the continent. With hundreds of millions spent on African talents alone, this year’s transfer activity underscores the growing recognition of Africa as a powerhouse of footballing talent and commercial value.
Beyond the headline transfer fees, agent commissions have also reached unprecedented levels, reflecting the complex and lucrative nature of player negotiations in today’s global market. These deals come with intricate transfer obligations, substantial weekly and yearly wages, with some around €295,000 per week, performance-based add-ons, and long-term contracts that promise both sporting impact and financial stability for the players involved.
This surge in high-profile transfers is more than just numbers on paper; it represents a vital catalyst for African football’s continued growth and global integration. Players like Victor Osimhen, Bryan Mbeumo, Mohammed Kudus, and Yoane Wissa have become emblematic figures, not only commanding multi-million-pound deals but also serving as ambassadors who elevate the continent’s profile on the world stage. The high-profile transfers of African footballers in 2025 send a clear message: African footballers are now key assets in the global football economy.
The strategic importance of such transfers extends beyond immediate sporting gains. Clubs investing heavily in African stars recognise the commercial potential tied to expanding their fan bases in Africa’s rapidly growing football markets. In this article, we delve into the top 12 African football transfers of 2025, analysing not only the staggering transfer values but also the layers of financial arrangements in agent fees, third-party payments, and wage structures that underpin these deals. Check them out!
12. Nicolas Jackson (Senegal) – Chelsea to Bayern Munich (€16.5 million)
Senegalese forward Nicolas Jackson officially joined Bayern Munich on a season-long loan from Chelsea, in what has quickly become one of the most talked-about deals of the 2025 summer transfer window. The agreement includes a staggering €16.5 million loan fee, not only the highest in Bayern’s history for a loan deal but also the third-largest loan fee in global football. There’s also an obligation to buy built into the contract, potentially triggering a permanent move in 2026 worth €65 million.
The move came together thanks to the deft work of Jackson’s agent, Ali Barat, who referred to the deal as “A world-record loan. A visionary transfer. Another Ali Barat masterclass.” Although the official agency fee earned has not been publicly revealed, it is believed that it is one of the biggest deals brokered by Ali Barat.
11. El Hadji Malick Diouf (Senegal) – Slavia Prague to West Ham United (£19 million)
In what has become one of the most intriguing African transfers of the year’s summer window, Senegalese defender El Hadji Malick Diouf completed a high-profile move from Slavia Prague to West Ham United. The 20-year-old joined the Premier League side for a reported £19 million, potentially rising to £19.5 million with add-ons, making it the most expensive sale in Czech league history.
Behind the scenes, the deal was handled with precision by Diouf’s agency, PSM (Premium Sports Management). Diouf’s record-breaking move serves as another powerful signal of Africa’s rising talent commanding serious attention in Europe’s top leagues.
10. Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast) – Brighton & Hove Albion to Sunderland AFC (£21 million)
In a significant move this summer, Simon Adingra, the Ivorian winger, completed a transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion to Sunderland AFC for a reported fee of £21 million, including add-ons. This deal marks Sunderland’s commitment to strengthening their squad ahead of their return to the Premier League.
While the exact details of agent commissions and third-party fees have not been publicly disclosed, such high-profile transfers typically involve significant financial arrangements. Industry standards suggest that agent commissions can range from 5% to 10% of the transfer fee, which would imply a commission between £1 million and £2.1 million for this deal. Additionally, third-party ownership or sell-on clauses could further influence the total financial landscape of the transfer.
9. Amine Gouiri (Algeria) – Rennes to Marseille (€22 million)
Amine Gouiri’s mid-season transfer from Rennes to Marseille for €22 million was arguably the grandest Algerian storyline of the 2025 window. But the headline number only scratches the surface of the financial ramifications.
Behind the fee lies a web of commissions; the agent who is likely representing both player and club in some capacity could have earned between €1.1 million and €2.2 million, based on industry norms of 5–10% commission on transfer fees.
Given that FIFA caps such fees for a selling club at 10%, it’s probable the agent’s cut fell within this upper range, though this remains speculative under current regulations. Industry estimates suggest these dual-role agreements often edge toward the higher end of the bracket, reflecting the complexity and value of the deal.
On the salary side, Gouiri’s earnings at Marseille have not been officially confirmed, but typical packages for a high-profile Ligue 1 recruit point to a €3–4 million gross annual wage. That implies an additional €150,000 to €400,000 per year might flow to the agent, following standard rates of 5–10% of player salaries. Across a five-year contract, a structure reported to be on the horizon, and this could translate into substantial long-term income beyond the immediate transfer commission.
8. Evann Guessand (Ivory Coast) – OGC Nice to Aston Villa (€30 million)
Evann Guessand’s move to Aston Villa marked a significant milestone for both the club and the Ivorian forward. Signing from a Ligue 1 club for a reported €30 million.
The transfer involved significant financial intricacies typical of high-profile moves. The agent commissions and third-party payments were not publicly disclosed but can be estimated to be around €1.5 million to €3 million, adhering to the standard 5–10% range of the transfer fee. Guessand’s weekly wage is believed to be in the region €90,000, translating into an annual gross salary of approximately €3.9 million to €4.7 million, figures fitting for a rising star stepping into the Premier League spotlight.
7. Habib Diarra (Senegal) – Strasbourg to Sunderland (£30 million)
Habib Diarra’s transfer from Strasbourg to Sunderland is already being hailed as a landmark moment for the club. The Senegalese midfielder joined for a club-record fee of around £30 million, signaling Sunderland’s clear intent to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level following their recent promotion.
The finances of the deal reveal the complexities that often accompany high-profile transfers. Agent commissions are estimated to have ranged between £1.5 million and £3 million, in line with the standard 5–10% commission fees on transfer sums.
Additionally, there are likely payments to third parties or former clubs entitled to sell-on percentages, which is a common practice in French football transfers, and further increases the overall cost for Sunderland. While the exact details remain confidential, insiders suggest that the club navigated a delicate negotiation balancing Diarra’s value and Sunderland’s financial strategy.
On the wage front, Diarra reportedly signed a lucrative five-year contract at Sunderland, with weekly wages estimated at around £70,000, translating to an annual gross salary approaching £3.5 million.
6. Rayan Aït-Nouri (Algeria) – Wolverhampton Wanderers to Manchester City (£36.3 million)
Manchester City made a significant statement early in the 2025 transfer window by securing the signature of Algerian left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The deal was finalised on June 9, 2025, for an initial fee of £31m, with £5.3m in add-ons triggered by performance-related factors.
The deal involved a significant payout to agents and third parties, common in high-profile transfers of this nature. Agent commissions are estimated to be in the region of £1.8 million to £3.6 million, reflecting typical 3–10% commission rates on transfer fees.
Furthermore, additional payments to Wolves or previous stakeholders through sell-on clauses could push the overall transfer expenditure closer to the higher end of the agreed valuation. Aït-Nouri’s contract reportedly spans five years, with weekly wages estimated at £80,000.
5. Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso) – AFC Bournemouth to Brentford (£42 million)
Brentford made waves in the 2025 transfer window by securing Burkina Faso winger Dango Ouattara from AFC Bournemouth for a club-record fee of £42m.
Industry insiders estimate agent commissions and standard rates adopted by PSM (Premium Sports Management), which managed the deal, to be around £2.3 million to £4.2 million.
Additionally, as a young African player, Brentford is likely to have made further payments to third parties, such as Bournemouth’s former youth clubs or stakeholders with sell-on rights, which commonly inflate the overall cost beyond the initial transfer figure.
Ouattara’s contract reportedly spans five years, with weekly wages estimated to be £55,000, a significant increase from £35,000, which he earned at AFC Bournemouth, translating to an annual salary in the region of £2.6 million.
4. Yoane Wissa (DR Congo) – Brentford to Newcastle United (£50 million)
In one of the most notable Deadline Day transfers of 2025, Newcastle United completed the signing of Yoane Wissa from Brentford for a reported total of £50 million.
The deal, finalised with just 30 seconds to spare, consists of £50 million upfront and £5 million in performance-related add-ons. Additionally, Brentford secured a 25% sell-on clause, positioning themselves for future earnings should Wissa be sold again.
While exact payment schedules are confidential, reports suggest that half of the transfer fee will be paid immediately, with the remainder due next year. The total value in euros is approximately 63.5 million, making this one of the highest-value moves for an African player in recent Premier League history.
However, no official figures have been released regarding agent commissions, intermediary fees, or third-party payouts involved in the transfer. This is common in high-profile deals, where financial specifics beyond the headline fee often remain undisclosed.
Wissa’s transfer is particularly significant in the context of African football’s growing influence on the global sports economy. As a DR Congo international, Wissa’s rise from Ligue 1 to the Premier League, and now to one of England’s richest clubs, enhances the visibility and market value of African talent.
Such high-value transfers not only elevate the profiles of African players but also encourage greater scouting, investment, and infrastructure development on the continent. The symbolic impact on aspiring young players across Africa cannot be overstated, Wissa’s journey signals that African athletes are not only capable of competing at the highest levels but are also being highly valued in global football economics.
3. Mohammed Kudus (Ghana) – West Ham United to Tottenham Hotspur (£55 million)
Mohammed Kudus’s high-profile move from West Ham United to Tottenham Hotspur during the transfer window sent ripples through the Premier League, with Spurs reportedly shelling out around £55 million to secure the Ghanaian midfielder’s signature.
The deal involved complex financial components beyond the headline figure. Before the move, Mohammed Kudus’ changed his management and switched to ROOF Management, a German sports agency known for handling major transfer deals.
According to official standards, ROOF Management is expected to earn between £2.75 million and £5.5 million. Kudus’ contract with Tottenham reportedly extends for five years, with weekly wages estimated to be around £150,000, amounting to an annual salary of approximately £6.2 million to £7.3 million before taxes.
2. Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon) – Brentford to Manchester United (£65 million)
Manchester United made a headline-grabbing splash in the 2025 transfer window by signing Cameroonian forward Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford in a deal reportedly worth £65 million, with potential add-ons pushing the total value to £71 million.
Brentford are guaranteed £65m in four installments, as well as £6m in add-ons. This transfer marks one of the most expensive moves involving an African player this year.
The financial intricacies of the transfer reflect the high stakes involved. Bryan Mbeumo’s agent, Frederic Guerra of ESN is expected to earn around £3.5 million to £7 million, adhering to the common 5-10% commission structure on such sizable transfers.
Mbeumo’s contract with Manchester United reportedly runs for five years, with weekly wages estimated to be £150,000, equating to an annual salary of around £7.2 million before taxes; a significant pay rise for a player receiving only £45,000 weekly at his former club, Brentford.
1. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) – Napoli to Galatasaray (€75 million)
Victor Osimhen’s blockbuster move from Napoli to Galatasaray sent shockwaves across European and Turkish football fans. The Nigerian striker’s transfer catapulted him to the status of the most expensive signing in Turkish football history.
Before his initial loan deal to Galatasaray, it was widely publicised that Osimhen parted ways with his agent, Roberto Calenda, around September 2024, after failed transfer negotiations. Osimhen then joined the stable of the intermediary George Gardi, who assisted in his initial loan move to Galatasaray, which ultimately led to a permanent deal this summer. Mr Gardi would earn between €3.3 million and €6.7 million in commission.
Osimhen signed a lucrative five-year contract with Galatasaray, reportedly earning a net annual salary of €15 million, which translates to approximately €1.25 million per month. On a weekly basis, that’s nearly €295,000, a record-breaking sum for the Süper Lig.
