Top Five Most Expensive Summer Transfers 2016

No sooner had José Mourinho taken the helm of Manchester United than he promptly smashed the world transfer record by signing Paul Pogba, for an astronomical €105,000,000, from Juventus. Due, in large part, to hugely expensive TV deals, the value of players has skyrocketed since 1968, when Pietro Anastasi went from Varese to Juventus for a lowly €500,000. Not taking inflation into account, you could buy 1968’s most expensive player 178 times for the price of Paul Pogba in 2016.

• Obviously Paul Pogba tops the list as the most expensive summer signing, by going to Manchester United for €105,000,000. Pogba scored 34 goals in 178 appearances for the Bianconeri. Definitely well-played by Juventus, considering that he’d transferred from United to Juventus back in 2012 for a ‘measly’ sum of €1,000,000.
• After letting Pogba go, Juventus quickly put their money to good use, signing the 2015/16 Serie A top-scorer Gonzalo Higuain, for €90,000,000 – creating another one of the most expensive footballs transfers of all-time. Though initially criticised for being a little overweight, Higuain proved himself by scoring the winning goal, against Fiorentina, in his debut appearance.
• It’s no secret that the Chinese Super League is looking to make a name for itself by bringing in a few big veteran names. They’ve made Graziano Pellè the 5’th highest paid footballer in the world, paying him an eye-watering €16,000,000 per year! Who is Graziano Pellè, and why is he paid so much? Good question! It’s Hulk, however, who takes third place in our list, thanks to transferring to Shanghai SIPG for a princely sum of €56,000,000. He’ll by taking home a cool €375,000 a week in China, so we doubt he’ll miss the Champions League too much. Hulk found the net 75 times in 144 games with Zenit Saint Petersburg.
• League titles and trophies are something Pep Guardiola has become used to after his time at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and he’ll be remembered for signing the talented John Stones, from Everton, for a serious €55,600,000, in his pursuit of the Premier League title. This makes Stones the second most expensive defender of all-time, behind David Luiz. Stones, together with Vincent Kompany, could prove to be an impenetrable centre back pair.
• Manchester City’s midfield got a bit more interesting when it was announced that Leroy Sané would join The Citizens, for a sum or €50,000,000, meaning the 20-year old attacking midfielder takes fifth place on our list. Sané may well prove to be an important asset in Pep’s hunt for silverware, as he’s already impressed by finding he back of the net 13 times in 57 games for Schalke 04.

As of May 2016, a total of €929,906,000 had been spent during the summer transfer window, with the average Premier League transfer fee being roughly €12,116,100.
The Manchester heavyweights have been the biggest spenders so far, but still haven’t even spent half of their total revenue. Manchester United have spent €184,166,000 – only 40% of their total revenue of €464,611,000. Meanwhile rivals Manchester City are close behind, having spent €174,500,000 – or 42% of their €412,250,000 revenue.
Writing as an A.C. Milan supporter has almost made me curl into a fetal position and cry. A.C Milan and Real Madrid combined have only spent a total of €55,747,500 so far, whilst even Aston Villa’s new owner has opened his wallet and gone on a shopping spree worth €57,937,600.

Photo mr3002 / Shutterstock.com

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