The most expensive defender of all time (taking into account the exchange rate between €'s at the time) is Manchester City's €90 million signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig last summer. Six defenders have been signed for €80m or more, and they have all come in the last six years. Defenders are more valuable today than ever before. But which clubs have splashed out the most to get their defence in check? Here at Transfermarkt, we have calculated the teams that have spent the most money on defenders since the year 2000, and there are some fascinating results. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona aren't even in the top 10!
Which clubs have spent the most on defenders since the year 2000?
In first place is a team that ironically conceded 58 goals in the Premier League last season to Manchester United. The Red Devils have brought in 50 defenders in the 21st century for a grand total of a mind-boggling €932.2m. The most expensive acquisition was Harry Maguire, signed from Leicester in 2019 for €87m. In second place are big spending Chelsea, who have signed 39 defenders this century for a combined €806.4m—their most expensive defender being Wesley Fofana for €80.4m—also from Leicester. Man City come third having spent €731.5m spent on 28 defenders since 2000. Juventus are fourth, having spent €683.6m on 54 defenders in the last 24 years. 
Perhaps surprisingly, Tottenham are as high as fifth with €640m spent on 55 defenders since 2000. In sixth place come the first Ligue 1 team in PSG, who have spent €575.6m on 37 defenders this century. They are followed by Bayern Munich in seventh with a total spend of €562.7m on 31 defenders. Arsenal are eighth, having spent €555.8m on 42 defenders. AC Milan are ninth with a €531.3m spend on 56 defenders, and completing the top ten are their city rivals Inter Milan, who have spent €520.4m on 62 defenders this century.
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While the starlight and most expensive transfer fees still often go to forward players, clubs have begun to invest heavily in their back line as well as attackers.
