5. Thomas Partey – Atletico Madrid, £45m, July 2017
Arsenal On 5 October 2020 announced the signing of Thomas Partey on a long-term deal, after paying £45m release clause to La Liga giants, Atlético Madrid. He was given the number 18 jersey at the Emirates Stadium, however, has changed it later to No.5 Partey stated his desire to help Arsenal “back where [they] belong”, describing his decision to move being based on “[wanting] to experience new challenges”, while heaped praise on technical director Edu and manager Mikel Arteta.
4. Alexandre Lacazette – Lyon, £47m, October 2020
In May 2017, it was reported that a verbal arrangement had been reached between Ligue 1 giants, Lyon and La Liga giants Atletico Madrid over Lacazette move; however, that fell through on 1 June 2017, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Atlético’s ban on signing players and it helped Arsenal to make a move and lure him at the Emirates Stadium.
On 5 July 2017, Arsenal announced a five-year deal for French forward; Lyon disclosed that the fee was an initial £47m as per transfermarkt.
3. Ben White – Brighton, £50m, July 2021
On 30 July 2021, Ben White signed for Premier League giants Arsenal for £50m from their PL rivals Brighton. He played his debut for the Gunners on the opening day of the 2021/22 season against Brentford.
2. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Borussia Dortmund, £57m, January 2018
On 31 January 2018, Gabon international forward Aubameyang signed for Arsenal for a then-club-record fee, reported to be £56 million and since then become a vital part of the team also named as the club captain.
On 3 February, Aubameyang made his debut for the Gunners against Everton in the English top-tier in a 5–1 home win, scoring their fourth goal.
1. Nicolas Pepe – Lille , £72m, August 2019
On 1 August 2019, it was announced that Nicolas Pépé has arrived at Arsenal in a club-record fee of £72 million eclipsing the previous record of €62 million that they had paid for Gabon international forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Upon signing for the Gunners, he was handed the number 19 shirt
