Centre-backs are the backbone of the defence of any football team and traditionally they have the role to deal with the opposing centre-forwards or wingers moving inside. Though with time their role has evolved to more than just a defender.

Besides giving defensive protection and cover in central areas, they are now more involved in in-possession actions. A modern centre-back has to be involved in starting the attack by building play and breaking through opposition attacks with penetrative passes and dribbles.

Due to this more versatile role of the centre-backs, their prices are rising day by day. In the recent transfer windows there were many such examples of signings of centre-backs with huge transfer fees. The recent signing of Leny Yoro by Manchester United with €62m is the latest addition to the list.

The Top 10 Most Expensive Centre-backs

10. John Stones (€55.6m): Everton to Man City (2016-17)

The English defender remained a key part of Pep Guardiola's early squads but back-to-back injuries sidelined him for a few seasons. But from 2020-21 Stones made a comeback and became a key player of the squad. Last season he also had been seen to play the role of double pivot along with Rodri. With Man City, Stones has won one UCL, one UEFA Super Cup, six EPL, two FA Cups, two EFL Cups, two Community Shields and one FIFA Club World Cup.

9. Lisandro Martinez (€57.4m): Ajax to Man United (2022-23)

The 26-year-old Argentine centre-back has been crucial for the Red Devils as the team is going through a phase of turmoil and transition. With a chance of an overhaul in defence and midfield in this transfer window, Martinez is one of the few whose position won't be under any threat. Martinez has won one FA Cup and one EFL Cup

8. Leny Yoro (€62m): Lille to Man United (2024-25)

To strengthen their central defence this season Man United have put their trust in this 18-year-old teenager who is also considered as one of the best prospects for the position of centre-back. Along with another youngster Lisandro Martinez, Yoro would be vital for the Red Devils' upcoming campaigns.

7. Aymeric Laporte (€65m): Athletic Bilbao to Man City (2017-18)

Laporte came to Man City at a crucial time and in his five-year span he achieved a lot with City, also playing a crucial role in their multiple successful campaigns. The 30-year-old centre-back won five EPL, two FA Cups, three EFL Cups, one Community Shield, one UCL, UEFA Super Cup.

6. Matthijs de Ligt (€67m): Juventus to Bayern Munich (2022-23)

The 24-year-old Dutch international is considered one of the best defenders in the world, known for his strength, aggressive style of play, tackling and leadership ability. After winning Serie A with Juventus in 2020, he joined the German side two years later. De Ligt won the Bundesliga in his debut campaign of the tournament and also won DFL- Supercup in 2022. In this summer window, there is a high possibility that he could join Man United and in that case, it could be another record-shattering transfer.

5. Ruben Dias (€71.6m): Benfica to Man City (2020-21)

The Portuguese defender was picked by Man City as an unexpected transfer move and he joined the club when there was a lack of leadership in the City defence. Dias was exceptional in his first season and provided the necessary depth and leadership to the City defence. As a result, he won the PL Player of the Season and FWA Footballer of the Year for the same season. Since then he remains an integral part of the City squad including their Treble winning season.

4. Wesley Fofana (€80.4m): Leicester City to Chelsea (2022-23)

The 23-year-old French defender joined Chelsea in 2022, but due to back-to-back injury he only played 15 matches in his first season and since then has yet to feature in any game.

3. Virgil van Dijk (€84.7m): Southampton to Liverpool (2017-18)

Often regarded as one of the best defenders of this generation, Van Dijk has had an immense impact on Liverpool’s recent successes. The Netherlands captain joined Liverpool for a then world-record transfer fee for a defender. He was also named PFA Player of the Year and PL Player of the Season. As a cornerstone of the Liverpool defence, he had won one PL, one UCL, one Club World Cup, two EFL Cups, one FA Cup along with other trophies.

2. Matthijs de Ligt (€85.5m): Ajax to Juventus (2019-20)

De Ligt joined Ajax when he was nine years old and since then his successful journey with the Dutch club had earned him a move to Turin. In his debut season, he helped Juventus to defend the Serie A title and win the Italian Cup in the following season. The defender currently plays for Bayern Munich.

1. Harry Maguire (€87m): Leicester City to Man United (2019-20)

After joining Leicester City in 2017 and having a brilliant debut season rewarded with a move that made him the World’s most expensive defender of all time. However, after two seasons, the drop in performances resulted in a lot of criticism and trolling. In the last season, Maguire made a comeback and reclaimed his position in the first team. He won one EFL Cup with Manchester United.