THE 25 MOST EXPENSIVE SIGNINGS OF THE 21ST CENTURY: HIT OR MISS?
As the transfer market continues to break records, we revisit the top 25 most expensive signings since 2000. From Cristiano Ronaldo to Neymar, which deals proved worthwhile and which fell short?
*TOP 25 MOST EXPENSIVE SIGNINGS*
1. Neymar Jr. (Barcelona to PSG) – £198m
2. Kylian Mbappé (Monaco to PSG) – £165m
3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus to Manchester United) – £142m
4. Joao Felix (Benfica to Atletico Madrid) – £135m
5. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid to Barcelona) – £135m
6. Paul Pogba (Juventus to Manchester United) – £133m
7. Ousmane Dembele (Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona) – £130m
8. Eden Hazard (Chelsea to Real Madrid) – £130m
9. Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea) – £124m
10. Virgil van Dijk (Southampton to Liverpool) – £123m
*HITS*
– Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United to Real Madrid) – £80m (2009)
– Thiago Silva (AC Milan to PSG) – £36m (2012)
– Luis Suarez (Liverpool to Barcelona) – £75m (2014)
– Alisson Becker (Roma to Liverpool) – £66m (2018)
*MISSES*
– Fernando Torres (Liverpool to Chelsea) – £50m (2011)
– Andy Carroll (Newcastle to Liverpool) – £35m (2011)
– Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid to Manchester United) – £59m (2014)
– Nicolas Pepe (Lille to Arsenal) – £72m (2019)
*VERDICT*
– 52% of signings considered successes
– 28% deemed failures
– 20% still pending judgment
_ANALYST INSIGHT_
“Big-money signings don’t guarantee success. Factors like team chemistry and manager-player relationships play a crucial role.”
_FAN REACTIONS_
– “Ronaldo’s transfer was worth every penny!”
– “Neymar’s ego doesn’t justify his price tag.”
– “Van Dijk transformed Liverpool’s defense – best signing of the decade!”
Which expensive signings have proved worth the investment, and which have fallen short?
Would you like me to:
1. Include additional analysis on specific signings.
2. Examine the impact of transfer fees on player performance.
3. Discuss the changing landscape of football transfers.
Note: This article’s tone is informative and analytical.
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