The best player of the Russian Championship of the 2022/23 season leaves the Russian Premier League. Brazilian striker Malcom goes to Saudi Arabia, and his sale becomes a record for the RPL — Al-Hilal will pay St. Petersburg Zenit 60 million euros. The right time to remember the most expensive transfers from RPL.
Malcom — 60 million euros, from Zenit to Al-Hilal Malcom had to go through a lot before becoming the best player in the RPL. The Brazilian moved to Zenit from Barcelona for 40 million euros — the expectations from his arrival were enormous. But his Russian career turned out to be crumpled due to injury and an unsuitable role for the Brazilian. It took two years for Malcolm to start realizing his potential, and last season he was fully revealed. It is not surprising that the Saudis decided to pay so much for the transition. Malcolm has the best years of his career ahead of him and could become one of the leading players in the championship. Even one with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
Hulk — 56 million euros, from Zenit to Shanghai SIPG 
The Hulk's story is very similar to Malcolm's. He, too, was bought for a lot of money to be the leader of the team, but initially faced serious difficulties. In the case of Malcom, these were injuries, in the case of the Hulk, it was the dissatisfaction of the Russian backbone of the team. But both Brazilians with honor overcame all difficulties, becoming the best players in the RPL, after which they left for the country of the third football world. In 2016, China willingly invited football stars. After playing in China for four years, Hulk returned to his homeland and still scores for Atlético Mineiro.
Leandro Paredes — €40m, from Zenit to Paris Saint-Germain Paredes was the most stellar newcomer to Zenit's Argentinean assault in 2017. He came to St. Petersburg in the status of one of the leaders of «Roma», but on the banks of the Neva he did not work out. Leandro played with laziness, periodically freaked out and was clearly unhappy. His departure to PSG after a year and a half proved to be beneficial for everyone. “Zenith” earned money, Sergei Semak received a reinforcement instead of a capricious star, and Paredes became a player in a top club. And in 2022, he won the World Cup as part of the Argentina national team.
Willian — 35.5 million euros, from Anji to Chelsea 
The strangest transfer on this list. The Brazilian, who became a star at Shakhtar Donetsk, suddenly left for Anji in the winter of 2013. But Willian spent only a few months in the club from Makhachkala. The mega project was soon curtailed, and the Brazilian was sold to England for 35.5 million euros. There he successfully played for Chelsea, not very successfully for Arsenal, and now he is one of the leaders of Fulham.
Alexander Golovin — 30 million euros, from CSKA to Monaco 
The only Russian on the list. At the age of 18 he made his debut in CSKA, at 20 he became the leader of the Red-Blues and the national team. Two years later, he flashed at the home world championship and left for Monaco, where he still plays, gradually becoming the main player in the team. There are rumors about a move to a more prestigious club, but for now Golovin remains on the Cote d'Azur.
Nikola Vlašić — €30m, CSKA to West Ham 
Vlasic came to CSKA in an attempt to revive his career. He left Croatia early, but could not stand the competition in the English “Everton” and went to develop in Russia. Three years in the camp of the «red-blue» were a fairy tale — Nikola played brilliantly and scored a lot, grew into a major player in the national team. In 2021, he again went to conquer the English Premier League — this time to West Ham. But the transfer was unsuccessful for everyone. Vlašić failed again in England, West Ham did not get the right player, and CSKA still did not see the money for the Croat due to sanctions.
Jo — 24 million euros, from CSKA to Manchester City
Jo became the opening of the Russian Championship in 2006. Already in the second match in Russia, he made “poker”, and for the first round in his debut season, the Brazilian scored 14 goals. By regularly scoring, he attracted the attention of clubs from Europe and soon left for the English “Manchester City”, which was just beginning to master the investments of the sheikhs. Investing in Jo turned out to be extremely unsuccessful. The Brazilian could not adapt in England, wandered around on leases, and returned to his homeland at the age of 24. Then in his career there were the UAE, China, Japan and even a three-day contract with the Saudi club Al-Jabalain. After that, Jo decided to hang up his boots.
Ezequiel Garay — 24 million euros, from Zenit to Valencia 
Garay arrived in Russia in the status e finalist of the World Cup and the best defender of the Portuguese “Benfica”. Both seasons in “Zenith” he confirmed his high status. But in dank Petersburg, the Argentinean quickly became sad and asked to be let go to warm Spain. “Valencia” for 24 million received a great defender and one of the leaders of the team. Unfortunately, due to frequent injuries in 2020, Garay had to end his career at the age of 33.