Biggest signings in Brazilian football: discover the top 5 players 

There's no denying it: a few million euros were spent on the biggest signings in Brazilian football.

Brazilian football has always been a stage for many Brazilians to showcase their talents, exporting stars to the biggest clubs in the world. However, in recent years, the scenario has changed: Brazilian clubs have started to invest heavily in bringing big names back to the national pitch. Do you have any idea who the biggest signings in Brazilian football are?

With large sums of money involved, these million-dollar signings have stirred up the market and excited fans. Some of these deals stand out not only for their value, but also for their sporting and symbolic impact. Are you curious to find out? Then stay with us, as we look back at the five biggest signings in Brazilian football. 

1. Vitor Roque

Firstly, we have a signing made this year: Vitor Roque. The player, who Barcelona had loaned out, was bought by Palmeiras in January for 25,5 million euros, or R$154 million. The contract is for five years.

Vitor Roque is 20 years old and began his football career in the youth categories of América-MG, where he stood out in 2018. Then, Cruzeiro revealed him, after his good performance in the under-17s, and made his professional debut in 2021. The following year, Athletico-PR signed him, and he experienced a rapid rise, reaching the final of the Copa Libertadores in 2022. 

As a result, his performance caught the attention of European football, and Barcelona bought him. After joining the Spanish club, he was loaned to Betis, where he scored seven goals in 33 appearances.

2. Wendel 

Second place also goes to a contract signed this year, that of midfielder Wendel with Botafogo. The club negotiated the player with Zenit, from Russia, who will join the club in June. This is because one of the Russian club's demands was that the midfielder finish the season.

The player's contract was worth 20 million euros and the link runs until the end of 2029, with a termination fee of over R$1 billion.

The 27-year-old player was born in Rio de Janeiro and began his football career later than usual. At 17, he took part in trials at Benfica, but ended up not being accepted. Back in Brazil, he went through the youth ranks of Tigres do Brasil, where he caught the interest of scouts from Fluminense.

3. Thiago Almada

Another signing for Botafogo, which currently occupies third place, is Thiago Almada. Last year, the team invested 19,5 million euros and brought the midfielder to Brazil.

The 23-year-old Argentine started his career early — at just four years old, he was already playing football, on the same team as the former player Carlos Tevez: Santa Clara. Furthermore, at just five years old, he joined the youth ranks of Vélez Sarsfield, where he began his training as a player.

In August 2018, four months shy of his 17th birthday, Almada made his professional debut for the club. In 2022, he transferred to Atlanta United and, the following year, Botafogo bought him. He currently plays on loan at Lyon.

4. Carlos Alcaraz

In fourth place in the ranking is Argentine midfielder Carlos Alcaraz, one of the great promises of the new generation. Last year, Flamengo made a significant investment when they acquired the player from Southampton, paying 18 million euros to have his talent in the red-black squad.

Alcaraz began his football career playing for Deportes Infantiles de Villa Elisa, before joining Racing's youth ranks in 2017. In January 2023, he signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with Southampton. On January 31, 2024, he was loaned to Juventus until the end of the season. 

Alcaraz then signed a contract with Flamengo, with a contract until August 2029, reinforcing the red-black squad with great expectations. However, on January 31, 2025, the Rio de Janeiro club announced his temporary departure, confirming the player's loan to Everton until the end of the season.

5. Paulinho

And then, the fifth name in this top 5 is striker Paulinho, a major reinforcement acquired by Palmeiras from Atlético Mineiro, also this year, in a deal valued at 18 million euros.

The 24-year-old striker took his first steps in football in the youth ranks of Vasco da Gama, where he joined in 2010 and quickly stood out for his talent and potential. Furthermore, years later, on December 20, 2016, he made his transition to professional football official by signing his first contract with the Rio de Janeiro club.

Finally, a few million euros were invested, right? This was our list of the biggest signings in Brazilian football. Did you imagine that this was the top five and that these players had such a high value? And if you like to follow every move in this sport, we also recommend content about the oldest teams in Brazil.