5 players who could break Neymar’s world record transfer fee this summer

Paris Saint-Germain v RSC Anderlecht - UEFA Champions League
The most expensive player in the world right now

The football transfer market is now more inflated than ever and prices seem to be rising with each passing transfer window. No transfer fee of more than £100million had been paid for a player, at least until the summer of 2017.

Neymar’s move to Paris Saint-Germain changed the transfer market scenario forever last summer when he moved to the French capital for an astonishing fee of £198 million.

Since Neymar’s move, three further players have moved for a fee of over £100million - Kylian Mbappe to PSG, Ousmane Dembele to Barcelona, and Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona. It will not definitely stop with that. Soon we will see a £200 million and a £300 million player.

On that note, let’s take a look at the players who can break Neymar’s world record transfer fee.

#5 Paulo Dybala

Tottenham Hotspur v Juventus - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg
The Juventus ace is one of the best forwards in the world right now

With 21 goals and 3 assists already this season for the Italian giants Juventus, the Argentine international is one of the hottest properties in world football right now. He has been linked with many top European clubs and with his current form, he will cost a fortune for any potential suitors.

The 24-year-old was stunning last season for Juventus, leading them to the Serie A title and final of the UEFA Champions League. A technically gifted player, Dybala is known for his close control, dribbling, and intelligent movement.

Dybala has scored 47 goals in 71 starts for Juventus in the last three seasons, along with 19 assists. He thrives in the no.10 role and can play as a striker. He is brilliant in set pieces and a versatile player who can play anywhere across the front line.

#4 Kevin de Bruyne

Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League
Kevin de Bruyne is a key player for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City

Chelsea fans please look away. You may not want to read this further. Kevin de Bruyne was a Chelsea player from 2012 to 2014 but made only 3 Premier League appearances. He was sold to Wolfsburg in 2014 and ended up in Manchester City during the summer of 2015.

The 26-year-old is arguably the best playmaker in the world at the moment. The Belgium international has been in superb form for Manchester City this season. He has scored 11 goals and assisted 18 more in all competitions for the Blues this campaign.

Though de Bruyne recently signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City in January that runs until 2023, anything can happen in the transfer window these days.

There will be no shortage of suitors, given his abilities to influence a game along with his supreme vision and passing abilities. He is at the peak of his career and will probably cost more than £200 million.

#3 Mohamed Salah

Manchester United v Liverpool - Premier League
Mo Salah is taking the Premier League by storm

Another heartbreaker for the Chelsea fans. The Egyptian international Mo Salah is Premier League’s latest sensation. With 32 goals and 9 assists from all competitions for Liverpool this season, no player has contributed to more Premier League goals this season than the 25-year-old.

Moved to Liverpool during the summer of 2017 in a £36.9 million fee, Salah has been a revelation for Liverpool this campaign. After his stunning performances for Liverpool, his value has seen an astronomical increase. He is certainly amongst the top 5 goals scorers in the world at the moment.

According to the CIES rankings published by BBC Sport, Mohamed Salah's transfer value has increased the most of any player in Europe's top leagues during the last six months. He will definitely not come for cheap.

#2 Lionel Messi

Chelsea FC v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: First Leg
Messi can play at the highest level for few more years

This list will be incomplete without his name on it. Though he will be 31 in June, there are clubs that are willing to pay a huge fee for the Argentine. He is playing superbly at the moment and scoring goals for fun.

The 30-year-old has a £625 million release clause in his recently signed contract but there are teams that are willing to pay an insane fee for his services. Lionel Messi has scored 31 goals and assisted 13 more in all competitions for Barcelona this season.

Clubs like Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United have the financial might to make the transfer happen. Whoever wants to buy Lionel Messi, they have to pay an astronomical fee and it will definitely be in the upwards of £200 million.

#1 Harry Kane

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
Arguably the best no.9 in the world right now

Without any doubt, he is one of the best strikers in the world right now. The Englishman has been in superb form for Tottenham Hotspur this season, scoring 35 goals in all competitions for the North London side.

The 24-year-old striker has been under the radar of many top European sides for quite a while. With 25 and 28 goals in 2015/16 and 2016/17 respectively, Harry Kane was the winner of Premier League Golden Boot award for the last 2 seasons.

Real Madrid has shown a lot of interest in the past for his signature. With their front three not at their usual best, Real Madrid will target him during the summer of 2018. He is not going to come for cheap. He will cost in the upward of £200 million and will easily break the transfer record set by the Brazilian.

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Edited by Tanya Rudra