The African continent has definitely contributed its quota in the past years in producing some of the finest footballers to play the round leather ball and this has seen, in recent times, an increase in the demand for African players especially in Europe.

With Saido Mane’s big transfer move to Liverpool, we decided to bring to you the Top 7 Most Expensive African Footballer Club Signings.

Didier Yves Drogba Tébily, Chelsea £24m.

At number 7 is Ivorian legend, Didier Drogba. The Drog would join Chelsea from Marseille in 2004 for £24m and bagged 16 goals in his first term at Stamford Bridge. Drogba would go on to score 164 goals in 381 appearances for Chelsea.
The Chelsea legend has been nicknamed the ultimate big game player having scored 10 goals in 10 finals and winning 10 trophies at club level.

Drogba is currently in Canada with Montreal Impacts after having spells in China and Turkey. Didier won four premier league titles, four F.A. Cups, three league cups, and a Champions League trophy during his stint at the club.

Yaya Gnégnéri Touré, Man City £24m.

Another Ivorian to see himself on this list is Man City’s dynamic midfielder, Yaya Toure.

Toure would join Man City from Barcelona and has become a cult figure at Etihad stadium with his impressive 72 goals tally coming in as many 273 games from the heart of the midfield.
The Ivorian midfielder who leads the team in the absence of Vincent Kompany has won two premier league titles, an F.A. Cup, and two league cups.

Michael Kojo Essien, Chelsea £24.5m.


Coming at number 5 is Ghanaian international, Michael Essien.

The Bison as fondly called by the media for his energetic display in midfield was purchased from Lyon in 2005 for £24.5m.
The tenacious midfielder who operated as a box-to-box was able to score 25 goals in 256 appearances for Chelsea.

Essien would go on to play for Real Madrid and AC Milan before moving to join Panathinaikos in Greece.

Essien would win two premier league titles, four F.A Cups, one league cup, and a Champions League trophy.

Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor, Man City, £25m.


The Togolese striker joins the list here at number 4. Adebayor would move to Man City in a £25m move from Arsenal after spending three years at Emirates bagging a goal on his debut.

Adebayor would only spend two seasons in the club with the tall striker scoring 19 goals in 45 appearances for the club.
Adebayor would move to Real Madrid and Tottenham before moving to Selhurst Park with Crystal Palace after being released by Tottenham.

Wilfried Guemiand Bony, Man City, £28m.

At no 3 is another player from Cote D’Ivoire, Wilfried Bony. Bony, who was a Swansea favorite, joined Man City in January of 2015 for £28m.
The Ivorian has so far scored 10 goals in 46 appearances for the club and has fallen behind since Kelechi Iheanacho started to bloom.

Bony has failed to replicate the form that saw Man City come calling for him at Swansea. Bony has won just the league cup since joining the Citizens.

Eric Bertrand Bailly, Man Utd, £30m.


With his recent 30m transfer to Man Utd, Eric Bailly’s move to Old Trafford has seen him become the second most expensive African transfer signing.
The Ivorian joined the Red Devils after an impressive start to his career with Jose Mourinho showing faith in the young teen even with Bailly having less than 45 league appearances to his name.

Man Utd would hope the Ivorian in the coming season brings solidity to a defensive side that has been wobbling.

Saido Mane, Liverpool £34m

mane

Top on our list is Liverpool latest signing from Southampton Saido Mane. The 24 year old joins the long list of players who have made a move to the Merseyside club from the saints.

Mane had a fantastic campaign last season in which he scored 11 goals which included a brace against Liverpool in a dramatic 3-2 win.

Mane moves to Anfield after two seasons in the Premier League with Southampton in which he netted 25 goals in 75 appearances in all competitions. The forward also has 36 caps for Senegal and has scored 10 goals for his country.

SOURCE: http://owolaball.com.ng/2016/07/14/top-7-most-expensive-african-footballer-club-signings-in-the-premier-league/