Where does Grealish stand among the worlds costliest football transfers?

Premier League club Manchester City on Thursday confirmed the signing of English midfielder Jack Grealish on a six-year deal from Aston Villa in a British record transfer deal. Although the exact numbers haven’t yet been published, the ballpark figure is expected to be around £100 million.   

Given the numbers, Jack Grealish will break into the ‘Top 10’ list of the most expensive transfers in the history of football. He will be joining an illustrious list of players, which include Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

10. Paul Pogba (Juventus to Manchester United) – £90million – 2016

The first transfer on the list was one of the most expensive and hyped at its time. In the 2016 summer transfer window, Manchester United went in search of a dynamic footballer to strengthen their midfield and Pogba seemed like the answer to all their problems. 

But the 28-year-old has failed to shine in the Premier League like he was expected to. Plagued by injuries and regular squabble with managers have led to his downfall at the club and could very well make his exit this season.

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9. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid to Juventus) – £100million – 2018

When Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed in 2018 that he was going to leave Real Madrid after nine long and incredibly successful years, the football world was left dumbstruck. Although 33 at the time, Ronaldo was still one of the best players on the planet and Juventus had to land him for a considerable transfer fee.

Since joining the ‘Old Lady’, Ronaldo has failed to lead them to a UEFA Champions League but hasn’t dropped from his goal-scoring best.

8. Jack Grealish (Aston Villa to Manchester City) – £100m – 2021

As mentioned earlier, Grealish’s move to Manchester City garnered a lot of attention, owing to the massive fee and also the potential. 

Grealish is one of the finest midfielders in the Premier League at the moment and acquiring him will bolster City’s already incredible attacking talent pool. 

7. Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid to Barcelona) – £105million – 2019

After two failed signings in Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho (who will make their appearance in the list later) to replace Neymar. Barcelona went for the most sought after player in La Liga in Antoine Griezmann ahead of the 2019-20 season. 

Since making the switch from Atletico Madrid, Griezmann hasn’t taken the league apart but has been crucial for the Catalunya club in phases. If Lionel Messi is to depart Barcelona, as reports suggest, the Frenchman will have incredible responsibility on his shoulders come next season.

6. Joao Felix (Benfica to Altetico Madrid) – £113million – 2019

In reaction to Barcelona snatching away their brightest star, Atletico Madrid went for Portuguese wonder-kid Joao Felix to replace the French forward. 

A lot of eyebrows were raised, considering Atleti were paying a premium sum for a teenager who hadn’t the much of the football at the highest level. Since the move, injuries and often subpar performances have restricted Felix’s involvement, but there is arguable massive talent at disposal here. 

5. Eden Hazard (Chelsea to Real Madrid) – £123million – 2019

With Ronaldo leaving for Juventus a season before, Real Madrid, hoping to bolster their attack, landed Eden Hazard from Chelsea for a massive sum. At that time, Hazard was seemed like an obvious option to take the mantle at Los Blancos. However, things seemed to fall apart as over the seasons the Belgian struggled with weight issues and injury blows.

Till now, the star winger has failed to impress at the Spanish club and time might be running out for him.

4. Ousmane Dembele (Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona) – £130million – 2017

As mentioned earlier, Barcelona signed Dembele from Dortmund to replace departing Neymar. However, the starlet, touted for huge highs, constantly struggled with injuries and has failed to make a lasting impact at the club. 

3. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool to Barcelona) – £140million – 2018

Barcelona made yet another effort to replace Neymar in 2018, but the Brazilian failed to impress manager Ernesto Valverde and was sent out on loan to Bayern Munich. He has failed to break into the Barcelona starting lineup but Messi’s departure could change things for the Brazilian. 

2. Kylian Mbappe (Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain) – £160million – 2018

Developed in AS Monaco’s academy, Kylian Mbappe was arguable one of the finest teenage talents in the 21st century. He broke into the Monaco first team and took Ligue 1 by storm. 

Looking to build one of the most destructive attacking duos in world football, Paris Saint-Germain came for his signature. In 2017, the capital club signed him on loan and a year later confirmed his transfer.

1. Neymar (Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain) – £200million – 2017

Arguably, one of the greatest transfer sagas in football history, when PSG signed Neymar in 2017, they changed the football market forever. 

Barcelona had built one of the most lethal trios in Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez. But PSG had their eyes set on the Brazilian star to revamp their team and build towards their Champions League hopes. 

They paid the whooping £200 million release clause and before Barcelona knew it, they had lost their man.