Lukaku has lost his number one spot. Which player did clubs pay the most for?

Some players play their whole career for one club, but some change clubs like on a treadmill for a lot of money. It may not surprise you which player clubs spent the most on together, but other places may be surprising.

5. place: Álvaro Morata – 189 million euros

Morata started his career in adult football at Real Madrid. After being part of the 2014 Champions League winning team, his travelling career began.

The Spanish striker moved to Juventus, however, the White Ballet kept the pre-emption right, which they exercised in another 2 years and called Morata back. However, he lasted only a year at Real Madrid and was packing his bags again when he headed to Chelsea.

However, he experienced a dip in form at Stamford Bridge as he failed to make it big for the Blues, and was almost impotent in goal. So in 2019, Chelsea sent him on loan to Atlético Madrid, where he also moved permanently the following year.

But to make matters worse, in the same year he was also sent on a two-year loan to Juventus, who could have exercised the option for a permanent transfer, which they ultimately did not do, and so the current value of the transfer and guest fees for Morata is €189 million.

4. place: Ousmane Dembélé – 220 million euros

The French winger has by no means experienced as much travel as Morata, having only moved three times. The first time was in 2016, when he transferred from French side Rennes to Dortmund, where he blossomed as a footballer and had his best season of his career so far.

However, the great year for him had a bitter end – a tortured transfer to Barcelona, who did not hesitate to pay 135 million euros for the then 20-year-old. Within a year, Dortmund made 100 million on him, an amazing feat.

But Barcelona’s chapter, which ended a few days ago, was not so glorious. Dembelé was hamstrung by injuries and when he came on, he alternated breathtaking moments with terrible ones. Often he looked resigned and was almost slacking on the pitch.

Fans will never forget his chance against Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final. At 3-0 down, he could have decided the double, instead he hit Alisson and in the return leg at Anfield, Barcelona lost 0-4 and crashed out. A few days ago he moved to PSG for 50 million euros.

3. place: Cristiano Ronaldo – 247 million euros

We all know the story of the Portuguese legend. In 2003, he moved to Manchester United under the wing of Sir Alex Ferguson and the phenomenal manager made him a world class player.

After losing the 2009 Champions League final, Ronaldo became the most expensive player in history when he moved to Real Madrid for €94 million, where he broke a bunch of records, became the club’s top scorer in history and we could go on like this for a long time.

He only ended his association with the White Ballet by moving to Juventus. At the time, Ronaldo was 33 years old and still cost 23 million more than when he moved to Madrid.

When he was bought by Manchester United three years later, the circle came full circle. It looked like a happy ending to the story, but it wasn’t to be. On his second attempt, he parted company with United on bad terms and headed to Saudi Arabia for free.

2. place: Romelu Lukaku – 333 million euros

The Belgian striker’s transfers have become the interest of meme images. At every club he’s been to, he’s kissed the emblem of the team he played for. He wasn’t a cheap deal for the clubs anyway. Chelsea paid 128 million euros for him in the sum of two transfers.

And yet he’s on his way out again, having never properly established himself at Stamford Bridge. At the moment, Lukaku is still a Blues player and is expected to move again. This time, however, it doesn’t look like a staggering amount. Maybe the final amount, which currently stands at €333 million, will increase, but it probably won’t be enough to return to the top.

1. place: Neymar – 400 million euros

The Brazilian whizz-kid is an accountants’ nightmare, having cost clubs a combined €400 million already! Al-Hilal last paid €90 million for him.

He was already unwanted in Paris, although they were outrageously keen on him in 2017. They paid a buyout clause of 222 million euros and made him the most expensive footballer of all time! We can say that this transfer changed the football market. Since then, hundred million dollars have been flying through the air like crazy.

Source: Transfermarkt