Ranking the 5 most expensive FC Basel departures

#3 Mohamed Elyounoussi - €18 million

West Ham United v Southampton FC - Premier League

Third on the list for the most expensive FC Basel departure is Norway's Mohamed Elyounoussi. The Moroccan-born became a Norway international after moving there at a very young age. He made his debut for Sarpsborg 08 and three years later, he signed for Molde.

At the Norwegian club, Elyounoussi was moulded into a talented winger and went on to score 42 goals in less than 100 appearances. Basel were impressed by his ability in front of goal and signed him in 2016. Two seasons later, he was signed by Premier League side Southampton for €18 million.

However, he failed to maintain his goalscoring form as he ended his first season with the Saints by not registering a single goal in 19 appearances. He then spent two seasons on loan with Celtic before finally opening his Southampton account in the 2021-22 season.

---

#2 Manuel Akanji - €21.5 million

MSV Duisburg v Borussia Dortmund - DFB Cup: First Round

Manuel Akanji marked his professional debut for a second-tier Swiss side named Winterthur. He moved to the Swiss Super League when Basel confirmed his signing in 2015.

Akanji spent three years with them, during which time he managed to participate in the Champions League as well. Following Swiss Super League and Swiss Cup success, Basel qualified for the 2017-18 Champions League.

Akanji played all the fixtures as they finished second in the group stages and registered four clean sheets.

However, the 26-year-old defender could not be part of their knockout phase journey as Borussia Dortmund signed him for €21.5 million in the winter transfer window. Currently in his fifth and final year at Dortmund, Akanji is yet to decide on his future.

---

#1 Breel Embolo - €26.5 million

FC Schalke 04 v AFC Fiorentina - Friendly Match

The Cameroonian-born Swiss international was an academy product of FC Basel. Rising through different ranks at the youth level, Embolo earned his first-team debut four years after joining the club.

Marking his debut at 17, the forward spent his teenage years at Basel and earned a good deal of plaudits. He was exceptionally good for a player of his age and was tipped to become a top player. In 2016, he shifted to Germany after Schalke 04 signed him in a deal worth €26.5 million.

Three seasons later, he was signed by another German club, Borussia Monchengladbach. Embolo struggled to deliver like he used to as at both Bundesliga clubs as he scored only 29 goals in six years, two less than what he managed at Basel in three years.