While attackers and midfielders often steal the spotlight, football clubs are no longer afraid to splash the cash on top goalkeepers.
The role of the modern goalkeeper has changed as they are now expected to be experts with their feet as well as their hands.
We've taken a look at the 10 most expensive goalkeepers of all time and how they fared after making the big-money move.
Note: we've only used the initial transfer fees and haven't taken into account any potential add-ons.
10= Robert Sanchez - PS25m One of two Chelsea goalkeepers on this list, Sanchez left Brighton and moved to Stamford Bridge in a PS25million deal in the summer of 2023.
The Spain international conceded 25 goals in 16 Premier League appearances before missing the second half of the 2023/24 season with a knee injury.
He's had an underwhelming start to his Chelsea career but reports suggest that he will be Enzo Maresca's first-choice goalkeeper for the 2024/25 campaign.
10= Jordan Pickford - PS25m Despite suffering relegation with Sunderland in the 2016/17 season, Pickford showcased his potential and was shortlisted for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
He made a swift return to the Premier League and joined Everton in a deal worth an initial PS25million, making him the most expensive British goalkeeper of all time.
That fee now looks like a bargain and the England international recently won the Everton Player of the Season award for a third successive campaign.
8. David Raya - PS27m Raya joined Arsenal from Brentford on an initial loan deal in the summer of 2023 and usurped Aaron Ramsdale as the club's no.1 goalkeeper.
He won the Premier League Golden Glove in 2023/24 and the Gunners activated the PS27million purchase option which was included as part of the loan deal.
"David showed us last season what an important player he is for us, so we are delighted he is now officially our player," Mikel Arteta said. "He is a big presence in our dressing room and we are really pleased to keep working with him.
"We know he will take the strong foundations he put in place last season and build on them in the years to come, and that he will enjoy more success with us."
7= Jasper Cillessen - PS31.4m Eyebrows were raised in the summer of 2019 when Valencia agreed to pay PS31.4million for Cillessen, who had made just five La Liga appearances during his three years at Barcelona.
The Netherlands international failed to justify that price tag and his time at the Mestalla was also plagued by a number of injury problems.
After being usurped by Giorgi Mammardashvili in the 2021/22 season, he was then sold to Eredivisie club NEC Nijmegen for just EUR1million.
7= Thibaut Courtois - PS31.4m After refusing to sign a contract extension at Chelsea, Courtois completed a PS31.4million move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2018.
The Belgium international had a difficult debut season at the Santiago Bernabeu but has since cemented his status as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
He has helped Madrid win three La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues, a Copa del Rey, a UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA World Club Cup.
The 32-year-old was particularly outstanding in the 2021/22 Champions League triumph, making a record number of saves in the final victory over Liverpool.
Current world no. 1 between the sticks, Thibaut Courtois, turns 31 today!!
Let's run it to his phenomenal #UCL winning performance against Liverpool last year... pic.twitter.com/Dbq7I0lpMh
- Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 11, 2023
5. Gianluigi Buffon - PS32.6m Having sold Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid in the summer of 2001, Juventus splashed the cash and made Buffon the world's most expensive goalkeeper.
The former Italy international proved to be a relative bargain, making 656 appearances in all competitions over the following 17 years while winning nine Serie A titles, Serie B and four Coppa Italia trophies.
He said: "If we go back to my signing at Juve, the amount of money they spent on me had every critic saying the exact same thing: 'No, you can't pay that much money for a goalkeeper.'
"And, you know, it's right that those conversations happen as well. But in the end, I was at Juventus for 17 years. I think that with me, Juve made one of the best pieces of business in their history. If you look at it now, I doubt anyone could disagree with that."
4. Ederson - PS34.7m Buffon's 16-year reign as the world's most expensive goalkeeper came to an end in 2017 when Manchester City signed Ederson from Benfica in a PS34.7million deal.
He immediately replaced Claudio Bravo in Pep Guardiola's starting XI and established himself as one of the best ball-playing goalkeepers in the world.
The Brazil international is now a six-time Premier League champion, a four-time Carabao Cup winner and a two-time FA Cup winner.
He also lifted the Champions League trophy in 2022/23 after producing a brilliant performance against Inter Milan in the final.
WHAT A SAVE FROM EDERSON!!
Has that moment just won them the Champions League...? #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/NW3wYwYoaD
- Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 10, 2023
3. Andre Onana - PS43.8m Despite being on the losing side in the 2022/23 Champions League final, Onana won a lot of plaudits for his performance against Manchester City.
He then joined Manchester United in a deal worth an initial PS43.8million and was tasked with filling the void left by David de Gea's departure.
But the Cameroon international endured a difficult start to his Old Trafford career and made a string of high-profile errors as the club crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage.
He started to rediscover his best form in the second half of the 2023/24 season and helped United beat Manchester City in the 2024 FA Cup final.
2. Alisson Becker - PS56m After Loris Karius' nightmare in the 2018 Champions League final, Liverpool brought Alisson to Anfield in a deal worth an initial PS56million.
The Brazil international has proved a transformative signing for the Reds, helping them win the Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup and the FIFA World Club Cup.
He's also picked up a host of individual accolades, including the Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper award, the Yashin Trophy and two Golden Gloves.
"If I knew Alisson was this good I would have paid double," former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted.
Alisson Becker the Liverpool goalkeeper 1. Kepa Arrizabalaga - PS71.6m After selling Courtois and missing out on Alisson in the summer of 2018, Chelsea triggered the PS71.6million release clause in Kepa's Athletic Bilbao contract.
He made a series of mistakes during his first two years at Stamford Bridge and notably had a high-profile row with then-manager Maurizio Sarri during the 2019 League Cup final.
The Spain international was demoted to being the back-up goalkeeper after Chelsea signed Edouard Mendy in the summer of 2020.
He spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Real Madrid and has now been linked with a permanent move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.