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Money speaks, and in the world of football, it is no different. To get the best players in the world, clubs have to shell out extraordinary amounts of money in order to get the deal done.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the evaluation of players. The Neymar transfer has set a precedent, and clubs are now demanding triple figures for their best talents.
However, there is no guarantee that spending money will bring clubs success. In fact, as Barcelona have shown recently, it is better to plan signings carefully rather than throwing the budget at a big name.
We look at the 5 most expensive transfers of all time.
#5 Joao Felix | €127.2 million
A highly-rated talent during his Benfica days, Joao Felix's incredible 2018-19 season with the Portuguese giants saw him linked with some of the biggest clubs in world football. The teenager caught the attention of Europe's biggest clubs after netting 15 goals and 7 assists in just 21 league appearances for Benfica.
Atletico Madrid won the race to sign the youngster, paying Benfica £127.2 million in 2019 for his services. Felix was signed to replace the Barcelona-bound Antoine Griezmann, but the 21-year old has not been at his very best ever since joining Diego Simeone's side.
Felix has shown glimpses of his undoubted potential, but has not impressed on a consistent basis. He has not been a constant starter for Atletico Madrid. In 76 appearances in all competitions, the Portugal international has scored 19 goals and provided nine assists.
#4 Philippe Coutinho | €135 million
Philippe Coutinho was a star for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool and it would be fair to say that his move to Barcelona has not worked out.
Coutinho was insistent that he wanted to join Barcelona, and the La Liga giants paid €135 million in January 2018 to acquire him from Liverpool. The Brazil international made a good start to his Barcelona career, but has failed to establish himself at the club.
The attacking midfielder was loaned out to Bayern Munich in 2019. He scored two goals against his parent club as Bayern Munich beat Barcelona 8-2 in the Champions League quarter-final in 2020. The 29-year old has made 90 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona, scoring 23 goals and providing 14 assists. He has been linked with a permanent move away from Barcelona for some time now.
#3 Ousmane Dembele | €135 million
Barcelona have not spent their money wisely in recent years, and the €135 million they spent to sign Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 has to go down as another poor deal.
In Barcelona's defence, Dembele was one of the best young players in world football when they decided to sign him to replace Neymar. The France international had enjoyed two excellent seasons with Rennes and then Borussia Dortmund, and was seen as an ideal long-term acquisition.
However, the plan has not worked. Injuries and lack of form have hindered Dembele's progress in Spain, and the 24-year old's impact has been limited since his arrival. In 118 appearances in all competitions, Dembele has scored 30 goals and provided 21 assists.
#2 Kylian Mbappe | €145 million
One of the best players in world football, Kylian Mbappe has achieved a lot in football at a very young age.
A prodigious talent, Mbappe enjoyed a stunning 2016-17 campaign with AS Monaco. The teenager helped them win the Ligue 1 title while plundering 15 goals and 8 assists in only 17 league appearances, to go with 6 goals in 6 Champions League outings.
Paris Saint-Germain moved quickly to sign Mbappe, initially on a loan deal, with the club signing him permanently the next year for €145 million.
The France international has made 171 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 132 goals and providing 61 assists. However, he could soon leave Paris Saint-Germain. Real Madrid are circling the 22-year old, and reports have suggested that Mbappe could move to Spain soon.
#1 Neymar | €222 million
The transfer that transformed the world of football. Paris Saint-Germain paid Barcelona €222 million to sign Neymar in 2017, completely changing the landscape of football.
One of the biggest names in the world of sports, Neymar is one of the best footballers of his generation. At Barcelona he formed a lethal attacking trident with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, and few would have thought that he would leave the club for the fee that he did.
Paris Saint-Germain triggered Neymar's release clause, much to Barcelona's shock. Neymar moved to France, and has made 116 appearances in all competitions, scoring 87 goals and providing 52 assists. He helped Paris Saint-Germain reach the final of the UEFA Champions League in 2020.
Also Read: Ranking the top 5 European leagues in the last decade
