10 Greatest Bargain Signings In Premier League History (Ranked)

What Are The Best Bargain Buys In Premier league History?

Since the re-formation of the English top fight in 1992, no league has seen more money put into transfers than the Premier League.

But the best signings are not always those that cost large sums of money, here is our ranking for the ten best bargain signings in the Premier League.

 10: Edwin van der Sar: Fulham -> Manchester United (£2 million)

Replacing Peter Schmeichel (more on him later) in the Manchester United goal was an especially tough ask for anyone, but Dutchman Edwin van der Sar proved a more than capable successor.

Signed from Fulham in 2005 for just £2 million, van der Sar signed for United at 34 years-old, and many got have been forgiven for beleiving the signing was a strange one, but the doubters were soon put to bed, as van der Sar went on to keep 135 clean sheets for United in 266 appearances, winning four Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League title in 2008 in Moscow in a golden era at Old Trafford.

9: Kolo Toure: ASEC Mimosas -> Arsenal (£150k)

The story of Arsenal's signing of centre-back Kolo Toure has gone down as something of club legend, with his infamous trial at the club's training ground being retold time and time again. With the young defender, eager to impress, flew into challenges on Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and even Arsene Wenger.

Toure believed his big chance was ruined, but instead Wenger liked what he saw, and signed the then 21-year-old from Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas in 2002 for just £150,000.

Toure then became an integral part of the 2003/2004 invincible title winning campagin, forming a strong partnership in the heart of defence with Sol Campbell and played over 300 times for the Gunners.

8: N'Golo Kante: Caen -> Leicester City (£5.6 million)

Kante's time at Leicester City may have only lasted one season, but it was a season that will never be forgotten not only by Foxes' supporters, but football fans as a whole.

The French midfielder arrived at the King Power stadium as a relative unknown, and joined the club for just over £5 million in 2015.

The club had escaped relegation the season before, but the 2015/16 season saw the most incredible feat in English football history, as Leicester, with Kante in the heart of the midfield, roared on to the most unlikely of league title wins.

Kante was instrumental in Leicester winning the Premier League, quickly earning a reputation as one of the best ball-winning midfielders in the world, and joined Chelsea after that incredible season for over £30 million.

7: Patrick Vieira: AC Milan -> Arsenal (£3.5 million)

Just like Kante nearly 20 years after, Patrick Vieira arrived in England as an unknown French midfielder.

Signed in 1996 alongside Arsene Wenger, who made it clear he required the signing of the midfielder for when he became Arsenal manager, Vieira instantly became a key figure for the Gunners.

A part of the PFA Team of the Year for six consecutive seasons, Vieira was a key part of the 1997/98 and 2001/2002 double winning sides, before captaining Arsenal to the 2003/04 title. Establishing himself as one of the best players in the club's history.

6: Nemanja Vidic: Spartak Moscow -> Manchester United (£7 million)

Joining van der Sar at Manchester United in 2005 was Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic for £7 million from Russian club Spartak Moscow, after beating Fiorentina late on to win the centre-back's signature.

Vidic went on to prove himself as one of the best defenders in Premier League history at Old Trafford, forming a dominant partnership at the heart of the backline with Rio Ferdinand.

A two-time PFA Player of the Year, Vidic is the only defender to win the award twice, and only one of five players ever to win the award more than once.

5: Andy Robertson: Hull City -> Liverpool (£8 million)

One of the Premier League's best left-backs, Andy Robertson joined Liverpool from relegated Hull City in 2017, and at Anfield established himself as a modern-day Liverpool great.

The Scot was a stalwart down the left-flank for the Reds during his nine-year stay at the club, making 342 total appearances for Liverpool and winning two Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, and was a two-times member of the PFA Team of the Year. Robertson and right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold formed a deadly wing-back partnership for Liverpool and both are the top assisting defenders in Premier League history.

4: VIncent Kompany: Hamburg SV -> Manchester City (£6 million)

When Manchester City were bought out by the Abu Dhabi group in 2008, the new ownership did not take long in putting their money where their mouth is, and one of the first new signings through the door was young Belgian Vincent Kompany.

Initially signed as a defensive midfielder, Kompany found sucess in the centre of defence, and never looked back. Going on to become the greatest captain in the history of Manchester City, wearing the armband for eight of his 11 seasons at the Etihad Stadium.

Kompany won four Premier League titles for City, and his efforts have been awarded with a statue outside the Etihad.

3: Eric Cantona: Leeds United -> Manchester United

One of the most popular players in Manchester United's history, Eric Cantona shocked the Premier League when he made the controversial switch from rivals Leeds to Old Trafford for just £1.2 million in 1992.

In five years and 181 appearances, Cantona earned himself a place in United folklore, being pivotal in four Premier League title wins which made United the early dominant force of the Premier League during it's early years.

His ability on the ball, personality and charisma made him one of the most iconic players in the history of the league.

2: Peter Schmeichel: Brøndby -> Manchester United (£505k)

Perhaps the greatest goalkeeper in Premier League history, Peter Schmeichel signed for United in 1991 after impressing for Danish side Brøndby during the 1990/91 UEFA Cup, which caught the eye of the Old Trafford club.

Despite being an unknown quantity to English football fans, Schmeichel soon showed his quality between the sticks, winning the League Cup and finishing runners-up in the table.

Over the next decade, Schmeichel would write himself in English football history, winning five Premier League titles and providing Sir Alex Ferguson right when he said the transfer fee of £505,000 was the 'bargain of the century' when first signed.

1: Seamus Coleman: Sligo Rovers -> Everton (£60,000)

Sixty grand, sixty grand, Seamus Coleman was sung throughout the stands at Goodison Park during the Irishman's incredible 17-year spell on the blue side of Merseyside, and it's clear to see why the Everton support are so clearly keen to express how much of a bargain signing the right-back was.

Signed from Irish side Sligo Rovers in 2009 for just £60,000, Coleman went on to make over 400 appearances for the club, and became club captain in 2019.

No one, perhaps even Coleman himself, could have predicted how well his time at Everton would go.