4. Marc Overmars (Arsenal 2000/2001) – €40 million
Marc Overmars was an Arsenal favourite, scoring 40 goals in 3 years as he revived a career threatened by injury at Ajax to take England by storm. His lightning speed and fantastic dribbles led to Arsene Wenger making him one of the focal points of their attack as the Gunners won the domestic double in 1997/1998.
Although there were doubts about his adaptability to the Premier League at first, he quickly became a key part of a fantastic Arsenal side, famously netting quite late against Manchester United to halt their title tilt. Against Newcastle United in the FA Cup Final, he drew first blood to set Wenger’s men on their way to double glory.
That made ears perk up, and his rise continued as he struck 13 goals in 47 games but Arsenal won nothing. Eventually, Barcelona bid for him before the 2000/2001 season, and his debut was a friendly against former club Arsenal. Unfortunately he was injured in the game; not for the first or last time in his career.
With Barcelona firing Ferrer as results dipped, Arsene Wenger was touted as a replacement. Overmars was used as the inside man, providing plenty of information on his old manager, but a move never materialized. For Overmars that didn’t matter though, and he kept on putting in good showings including the final-day equalizer that set Barcelona up for a 3-2 win that guaranteed them a 4th place finish in La Liga. Injuries blighted his career however, and after 19 goals in 165 appearances in Catalunya he retired from the game.
