Serie A's Top 15 Transfers for Players Aged 30 and Over: Lukaku Ranks Sixth, Inter Milan Features Four Times

With Romelu Lukaku’s €30 million move to Napoli now finalized, the Italian football scene has been buzzing with excitement. Under the scorching summer sun, large crowds of fans flocked to the airport and medical centers to welcome Lukaku, creating a vibrant and electrifying atmosphere. Amidst the excitement, one question arose in the minds of many: where does Lukaku rank among the most expensive transfers for players aged 30 and over in Serie A history? The answer is that he ranks sixth. This presents a great opportunity to delve into the top 15 transfers for players over 30 in Serie A. The data in this article is based on two trusted sources: Transfermarkt and Agence France-Presse (AFP). Interestingly, Inter Milan appears four times on the list, with two transfers in and two transfers out.

Cristiano Ronaldo Tops the List as the Most Expensive 30+ Transfer in Serie A

Leading the ranking by a wide margin is the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus. The Portuguese superstar moved to Turin for an astounding €117 million, making this deal not only the most expensive transfer for a 30+ player in Serie A history but also the highest worldwide. His transfer fee surpasses that of Harry Kane, who moved to Bayern Munich for €95 million in the 2023-24 season, and Neymar, who transferred to Al Hilal for €90 million in the same season. Other notable transfers such as Casemiro (€70.65 million), Miralem Pjanić (€60 million), Robert Lewandowski, and Marco Verratti (€45 million each) do not come close to Ronaldo’s record-breaking fee.

Bonucci Takes Second and Fifth Spots

Ranking second and fifth on the list is Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci. In the 2017-18 season, a 30-year-old Bonucci transferred from Juventus to AC Milan for €42 million. This transfer, which took place during the ownership of Li Yonghong, also ranks eighth on the global list of transfer fees for players aged 30 and over. Just a year later, in the 2018-19 season, Bonucci returned to Juventus for €35 million, a deal that places him fifth in Serie A and thirteenth globally for transfers involving players over 30.

Nainggolan's Move to Inter Milan Comes in Third

Third on the list is Inter Milan's €38 million acquisition of Radja Nainggolan. Although the transfer fee was not paid entirely in cash—Inter included Davide Santon and Nicolò Zaniolo to offset €14 million—it still remains one of Inter’s least value-for-money deals in recent years. Nainggolan's transfer fee ranks eleventh globally among transfers for players aged 30 and above. For many fans, his lack of professionalism and poor attitude overshadowed any contributions he made on the field.

Batistuta’s Transfer to Roma Takes Fourth Place

Ranked fourth is Gabriel Batistuta’s move from Fiorentina to Roma in the summer of 2000. The Argentine striker, often referred to as "Batigol," transferred for 70 billion lira, which equates to approximately €36 million. This move finally earned Batistuta his first Serie A title, a crowning achievement in a remarkable career.

Lukaku Ranks Sixth with His Move to Napoli

In sixth place is the recent transfer of Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian forward's €30 million switch to Napoli marks him as one of the most expensive players aged 30 and above in Serie A history. Despite being over 30, Lukaku still commands a significant transfer fee, demonstrating his value and potential impact in the Italian league.

Milito and Matuidi Among the Top Ten

Seventh on the list is Diego Milito, who joined Inter Milan from Genoa for €28 million in the 2009-10 season. The deal was quite complex, involving Thiago Motta as part of a combined transfer, as well as several youth players, including Robert Acquafresca, Leonardo Bonucci, Francesco Bolzoni, Ivan Fatić, and Riccardo Meggiorini. According to Inter's official financial report, Milito’s transfer fee was valued at €28 million. The legendary striker, who played a crucial role in securing the treble for Inter, will forever be remembered by a generation of fans.

Blasting Matuidi follows in eighth place, having moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Juventus for €25 million. Matuidi's transfer reflected Juventus' strategy of adding experienced talent to their squad to maintain their dominance in Serie A and compete in Europe.

Kalinić and Biglia Tied for Ninth

Sharing the ninth spot are Nikola Kalinić and Lucas Biglia, both of whom moved to AC Milan for €20 million each. Kalinić was transferred from Fiorentina, while Biglia arrived from Lazio. These moves were part of AC Milan's effort to strengthen their squad with experienced players during a period of transition.

Peruzzi’s Move to Lazio Ranks Eleventh

In eleventh place is the transfer of Angelo Peruzzi, who moved from Inter Milan to Lazio in the year 2000. The 30-year-old goalkeeper, who had already built a reputation as one of the best in Italy, commanded a transfer fee of €18 million. Peruzzi’s arrival at Lazio was seen as a key move in solidifying their defense.

Redondo, Benatia, and Smalling Complete the List

Fernando Redondo, the Argentine midfield maestro, ranks twelfth following his €17.5 million move from Real Madrid to AC Milan. Redondo’s transfer was highly anticipated, though his time at Milan was marred by injuries that limited his impact.

Thirteenth on the list is Medhi Benatia, who transferred from Bayern Munich to Juventus for €16.7 million. Benatia's move was part of Juventus' ongoing efforts to bolster their defensive options.

Chris Smalling, the former Manchester United defender, ranks fourteenth with his €15 million move to AS Roma. Smalling quickly became a key figure in Roma’s defense, earning praise for his performances in Serie A.

Morata and Hernanes Round Out the Top 15

Rounding out the top 15 are Álvaro Morata and Hernanes, both of whom transferred for €13 million. Morata's move from Atlético Madrid to AC Milan in the summer of 2023 reflects Milan's continued efforts to strengthen their attacking options. Meanwhile, Hernanes’ 2015 transfer from Inter Milan to Juventus also cost €13 million, making him a significant addition to Juventus' midfield at the time.

Inter Milan’s Active Role in the Transfer Market

Inter Milan's involvement in four of these top 15 transactions underscores their active role in the transfer market for experienced players. With two major signings (Nainggolan and Milito) and two significant departures (Peruzzi and Hernanes), Inter has been both a buyer and a seller in high-profile deals involving players over 30. Their ability to navigate the complexities of the transfer market has had varying degrees of success, but they remain a key player in Serie A's transfer dynamics.

As Lukaku joins Napoli, he adds another layer to the intricate tapestry of Serie A transfers involving players over 30, with his high-profile move potentially impacting the balance of power in the league. With such a rich history of transactions, Serie A continues to showcase that age is often just a number when it comes to securing top talent.