With speculative rumours linking Barcelona’s long-serving forward Lionel Messi with a lucrative – and highly unlikely – £200M move to Chelsea this month, it calls into question; who will actually be the first £100M footballer?
Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale is currently the most expensive player in the world, with the Champions League holders having spent £85M to purchase him from Tottenham Hotspur in September 2013. The Welsh international has found himself linked with a move to Manchester United, with figures suggesting a £150M transfer fee. Bale has repeatedly denied such rumours, but the search goes on for who will be the landmark buy.
There are few candidates of whom would be valued at such a high figure, but Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona) and Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) and Neymar (Barcelona) would make the short list. As things stand, there are no other players who are commanding a fee anything close to the above quartet if they were bought now, but it is only a matter of time before a rich club breaks the bank for a coveted talent.
The likelihood is that said player is currently in existence too, but perhaps in the springtime of their respective careers. From past history, it’s forwards who can contribute goals and assists that cost the most money. Age also plays a factor, as more potential years remaining can put up the asking price, hence why promising young stars are often sold for inflated fees.
Financial fair play regulations means clubs won’t be actively seeking a world-class star to spend over £100M on, unless it’s deemed absolutely necessary and they can square the books on the deal. Real Madrid made it their philosophy in the past to specifically sign the most expensive talent to assemble a side capable of winning the biggest prizes in football. And while they are still spending big on players, it won’t be as regular an occurrence.
A young proven individual, showing promise that could see them among the world’s best in the future, who plays for an elite club, is one that will require an inflated transfer fee. Let alone the likes of Eden Hazard – recipient of many personal honours – Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) is one player who could fit the bill in the future, given the quality he’s showing at a young age. The 20-year-old scores goals and creates them, and he’s been a regular in a title-chasing side since breaking through the age of 17. He could well be one to watch.
But the wait does look set to go on, and there doesn’t appear to be any chance a £100M move will happen during the January transfer window. So who will be the first £100M footballer?
