'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Raheem Sterling | Manchester City | €63.7m
Manchester City have made their fair share of massive transfers in the past, but Raheem Sterling's purchase remains one of their most high-profile moves to date.
They signed the forward from rivals Liverpool back in 2015 in a big-money deal that saw him become the most expensive English player of all time. Sterling then went on to play 291 times for Manchester City in all competitions, scoring 114 times and assisting 87. More importantly, the winger has enjoyed enormous success since moving to the Etihad Stadium in terms of titles.
Sterling won three league titles, reached a UEFA Champions League final, and helped City establish a monopoly in the English cup competitions. It remains to be seen if he will remain at the Etihad for longer amidst rumours of an impending exit from the club.
#2 Eden Hazard | Real Madrid | €115m
Eden Hazard has suffered one of the most unfortunate declines experienced by a top footballer in recent seasons, be it for whatever reason. The brilliant Belgian established himself as one of the best footballers in Europe during his time at Chelsea. Season after season, he grew in stature and fired Chelsea to two Premier League titles, among other honours.
After nearly a decade of brilliance at Stamford Bridge, during which he made 352 appearances in all competitions, Real Madrid came calling for Hazard.
They paid Chelsea a staggering €115m to take him to the Santiago Bernabeu, a move that they would live to regret. Hazard managed a mere 43 appearances in all competitions across two seasons with Real Madrid, yielding five goals and eight assists. If reports are to be believed, he could possibly be on the transfer list this summer as they look to offload him.
#1 Neymar Jr | Paris Saint-Germain | €222m, €88.2m
Neymar Jr is the only list to have made this list not just once, but twice, as he was purchased and sold by Barcelona for massive transfer fees. The Brazilian superstar moved to the Nou Camp for a €88.2m fee at the time from Santos. After four successful campaigns, including a historic European treble alongside Lionel Messi and co, Neymar got another big-money move.
In the summer of 2017, Paris Saint-Germain came calling for Barcelona's crown jewel and eventually activated Neymar's €222m release clause. This made Neymar the most expensive footballer in the history of the sport, shattering Paul Pogba's record fee of €105m.
Neymar played 186 games for Barcelona and has, so far, turned up 116 times for PSG in all competitions, racking 87 goals and 52 assists in this period. He ended all the seemingly never-ending speculation about a return to Barcelona by signing a new contract extension up until 2025 recently.
Also read: European Team of the Season (2020-21)
