#1 Virgil Van Dijk January 2018 (Southampton - Liverpool) €84.5m

Liverpool have had a long history of defensive frailties, with numerous errors at the back leading to dropped points and lost titles.
It is against this backdrop that Jurgen Klopp made signing a top class center-back a high priority, going all out to get Virgil van Dijk.
After some failed attempts, the Dutch powerhouse finally joined The Reds in January 2018 for €84.5 which is a club record, leading many to scoff at such a high amount being spent to sign a defender.
Van Dijk has however silenced his critics, as, since his arrival at Anfield, Liverpool's defense has been turned into a fortress, which would have been unthinkable just a year ago.
His performance at the heart of Liverpool's defense has been instrumental in helping The Reds maintain their quest for a first Premier League title since 1990 and has installed the 27-year-olds one of the favorites to be named PFA Player of the Year.