€100 Million Transfers: How they have fared! Part 2

After the Qatari investment, PSG became hungrier to gain success. They spent a lot and the result came immediately. They became the king in domestic tournaments in Ligue1. However, their dream to conquer Europe remained elusive. They snatched Neymar from Barca in 2017, at the same summer they confirmed the service of Mbappe. The deal was initially a loan move, which had become permanent in 2018. The deal cost PSG €180m plus add-ons which is the second costliest transfer in the history of club football.

 

Mbappe did a great job after donning the number 7 jersey in PSG. While Neymar is injury-prone and inconsistent, Mbappe flourished beautifully. He is now the second-highest goalscorer in the history of the club. With Neymar and Mbappe, they reached the UCL final in 2020. In the current season, Kylian scores the most for his club and PSG is still in the three important tournaments. However, his contract is due to expire in the summer of 2022. Real Madrid and many other suitors try their best to sign the prodigious Frenchman while his club does everything to keep him at their disposal.

 

Cristiano was an indispensable part of Madrid. A fan favorite, one of the greatest of the history of the club, highest ever goalscorer for them. Few could think about Real without their adorable superstar and even more so after winning the third consecutive UCL. However, this happened as Perez, President of Los Blancos thought it would be better for the team. Everyone slammed him at that moment, notwithstanding, he did a perfect business. Selling a player who was on the wrong side of thirty wasn’t a bad idea. He didn’t sell his golden egg-laid goose at a cheaper rate. He confirmed a 9 digit figure.

 

 

Juve was the domestic king in Serie A well before the arrival of CR7. In 2018, when they signed the Portuguese captain, they won 7 league titles in a row, including the other domestic cups. They were in the UCL final twice in a span of three years. Their ultimate desire was to win the Champions League. Ronaldo spent three years with the old ladies of Torino but failed to deliver the utmost prize. He scored plenty of goals there but the club was actually declining. There were many speculations that the unity wasn’t there, Ronaldo played for himself, etc. In the meantime, Covid hit the world and the club became paralyzed with the huge salary of CR7. He departed the club leaving themselves in a perilous condition.

 

If someone took Ronaldo’s goal tally into account, then it was not a bad spell, at least for the player. Nevertheless, the huge sum the club spent after him, just made their situation worse in every possible way.

The liveliest member of the Golden Generation of the Belgium team, Hazard was a wizard during his tenure at Stamford Bridge. Many believe that he was going to win the Ballon D’or and end the duopoly of Messi and Ronaldo. He won the premier league, Europa League with Chelsea, and became the best player in the league. Perez spent the money he earned from selling his previous Number 7 after his next Number 7 and everyone in the football world thought he did the right thing.

 

 

Though things aren’t going according to the plan all the time. Hazard became an unknown player at Madrid. He got the chance regularly as Zizou, the then coach had full confidence in his player. But he failed to deliver. Injury-plagued seasons, inconsistency, and whatnot seem like one of the best players of this generation lost his desire, his appetite to play the game. He is still in the club and his horrendous period still continues.

 

Another flop in this expensive list. The world cup winner with France was the best player in Athletico but his scandalous transfer was an event where every involving party suffered a loss except Athletico as they pocketed more than 100m. Griezmann told Barca he would come to Camp Nou in 2018 but he did the opposite and stayed at Madrid. One year later, he accepted the offer and signed the deal with Barca. Barcelona dressing room and the fans didn’t welcome the Frenchman with an open hand. If it was the first problem then it intensified by the thing that he was actually a surplus. He hadn’t any proper position in the team. He loved to play in a position that was occupied by Messi and no one in the world could replace Messi from his position. Therefore, he had to adjust himself in wide areas of the pitch where he was not that much comfortable. The club needed a striker but he was not an out-and-out finisher.

 

The club President Bartameou was responsible in that case to the same extent as all the three 100m+ signings turned flop. He failed to relate to the need of the club and spent money unwisely. Griezmann is now in a two-year loan deal to his previous club with an obligation to buy if some specific criteria will be met.

Athletico Madrid is famous for nurturing young talent, not for fancy and expensive buying. However, they wanted to spend the money they earned from Griezmann selling in young talent. So, they bought Joao Felix for 117m. He is undoubtedly an exciting player who has pace and skill and can make a difference at any moment. Still, he can’t express his full potential. He has time and age and everyone involved will be happy if he will turn out to be a success.

11. Jack Grealish ( Aston Villa to Man City, €117.5m)

Grealish is the first British 100m player. City bought him in the 2021 Summer. He has a deal till 2026. Ha has all the time in the world to prove his worth though he does not get going smoothly in his new club.

12. Romelo Lukaku ( Inter Milan to Chelsea, €113m)

Lukaku helped Inter to win the Scudetto and broke Juve’s dominance. He has huge experience and 100 plus league goals in England. Taking all of these into account Chelsea paid the money to reclaim the Premier League title. Till now, it hasn’t gone as planned rather he is counted as a flop. His comments even put the club in turmoil. It would be surprising if he could complete his contract with the London-based club. However, it’s just his first season and no one could know what is waiting in the future.