10 most expensive English footballers of all time

7) Wayne Rooney (Everton to Man Utd) - £27m

Rooney moved to Manchester United in 2004

Once upon a time, Wayne Rooney was the most expensive teenager in the world. Of course, that record has been smashed to bits in recent years and a certain Kylian Mbappe could shatter it if he moves by the summer of 2018.

It's hard to judge which player could turn out to be a world-class in the future but there was absolutely no doubt about Rooney's potential at the time. He had terrorised defences at Euro 2004 before his injury when England crashed out on penalties to Portugal.

By then Sir Alex Ferguson was trying to convince the United board why they had to break the bank to sign this prodigy who had also ended Arsenal's unbeaten run with a screamer from 30 yards out.

"There were plenty of eyebrows raised," Fergie said. But he soon got his man boy.

13 years later, he moved back to Merseyside after becoming the club's record goalscorer with 253 goals.