10 most expensive Dutch footballers of all time

A nation that has regularly outperformed its resources, Dutch football's stylish nature has often attracted overseas suitors looking to add tactical know-how and quality to their squads.

We take a look at the top 10 most expensive Dutch players of all time.

1. Frenkie de Jong - Ajax to Barcelona - €86m

The first of two players who excelled in Ajax's glorious run to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2018/19, Frenkie de Jong swapped Amsterdam for Barcelona in the months after the dramatic defeat to Tottenham.

Seen as the natural long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets, the Spain World Cup winner's presence initially prevented De Jong from playing a deep role for his first four seasons, with a succession of coaches exploiting his flexibility to employ him in several positions from central defence to number 10.

Injuries and the emergence of others have impacted his opportunities in 2024/25. Barca's precarious financial situation has also put him at odds with the board due to their attempts to sell the Oranje star against his will.

2. Matthijs de Ligt - Ajax to Juventus - €85.5m

Another member of Erik ten Hag's excellent young Ajax squad that left in the same summer as De Jong, Matthijs de Ligt joined Juventus as the Bianconeri looked to replenish their legendary yet ageing back-line.

Despite winning Serie A in 2019/20, it didn't always work out for him in Italy. That was the Turin club's ninth straight Scudetto but the board's inability to find alternatives for other former icons saw the club's dominance end.

De Ligt was often the fall guy and left for Bayern in 2022.

3. Virgil van Dijk - Southampton to Liverpool - €84.7m

Liverpool cleverly reinvested the money raised from Philippe Coutinho's January 2018 departure to Barcelona, and the €84.7m spent on Virgil van Dijk now looks like a bargain.

An upgrade on what they had, Van Dijk helped the club reach the 2018 UEFA Champions League final within months of arriving at Anfield before winning the tournament in 2019.

Van Dijk has also won the Premier League, an FA Cup, two EFL Cups, and reached the 2022 UEFA Champions League final. With compatriot Arne Slot at the helm, more silverware could beckon.

4. Matthijs de Ligt - Juventus to Bayern Munich - €67m

The second of three appearances on this list for De Ligt, like at Juventus, his 2022 arrival in Munich came as their success was waning.

Recurring knee injuries and off-field upheaval didn't help his cause. However, Bayern's improvement in the second half of 2023/24 coincided with the Leiderdorp-raised star's partnership with another much-maligned defender, Eric Dier.

The Bavarians chose to stick with Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-Jae, much to the frustration of a section of the club's fans, and he joined Manchester United in 2024.

5. Teun Koopmeiners - Atalanta to Juventus - €51.3m

A slow burner, Teun Koopmeiners starred at AZ but had to wait for his chance abroad, eventually joining Atalanta in 2021.

Koopmeiners' flexibility made him a regular in Gian Piero Gasperini's side and he was named in both the Serie A and UEFA Europa League teams of the season for 2023/24.

That attracted Juventus in the summer of 2024, with the Dutchman a key part of their ongoing rebuild under Thiago Motta.

6. Nathan Ake - Bournemouth to Manchester City - €45.3m

Pep Guardiola likes players who can excel in several roles and Nathan Ake has become a key member of his squad since arriving in 2020.

Ake has featured centrally and on the left on both three and four-man defences, as well as in midfield, and Manchester City's slump has arguably coincided with his injury absence.

The former Chelsea youngster proved his former club wrong by first shining at Bournemouth and starring in City's UEFA Champions League success in 2022/23.

7. Matthijs de Ligt - Bayern Munich to Manchester United - €45m

De Ligt's departure from Bayern to Old Trafford in summer 2024 raised eyebrows and it was seen as an easy call for the Red Devils due to his pre-existing relationship with Ten Hag.

Injuries for himself and others hindered him initially but even with Ten Hag departing, the former Ajax skipper appears to be improving.

New boss Ruben Amorim favours a 3-4-3 formation and De Ligt looks a strong candidate to be the central man in that defence.

8. Ian Maatsen - Chelsea to Aston Villa - €44.5m

Potentially an inflated fee to satisfy PSR requirements in 2024, Ian Maatsen is still to break into the Aston Villa team, with Lucas Digne favoured at left-back.

He never really got a run at Chelsea but impressed on loan at Charlton Athletic, Coventry City, Burnley and Borussia Dortmund, for whom he played in the 2024 UEFA Champions League final.

At 22, time is on Maatsen's side but as someone who thrives on having his manager's trust, another move might be required to help realise his potential.

9. Joshua Zirkzee - Bologna to Manchester United - €42.5m

Joshua Zirkzee spent time at Bayern in his youth but it was in Italy where he came to prominence, namely at Bologna, whom he joined in 2022.

The creative forward proved to have the perfect attributes to lead the line in Motta's system and was one of several stars to depart the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara after finishing fifth last season.

United made their move in 2024 and his preference for floating around the attack could see him become another beneficiary of Amorim's preference for a 3-4-3 set up.

10. Cody Gakpo - PSV to Liverpool - €42m

Liverpool looked to have pulled off a coup when they announced Cody Gakpo's signing shortly after his excellent run at World Cup 2022.

Competition for places has hurt Gakpo but his quality and versatility make him a handy squad player.

The forward came through the ranks at PSV and won a league and cup in Eindhoven. He has already claimed the EFL Cup and like Van Dijk, will be looking to add further medals under Slot.

(All transfers in Euros. Source: Transfermarkt.co.uk.)