THESE days transfer fees are ballooning at a terrifying rate.
After all, Manchester United spent £109million to bring Paul Pogba back from Juventus – with £89m of that going towards the player himself.
That is a far cry from anything you could even imagine in the 20th century – with the £1m mark only being broken in 1975.
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After Guiseppe Savoldi’s record-breaking feat, it wasn’t long before the sums started getting out of hand.
Diego Maradona cost Barcelona £3m just seven years later – and Napoli £5m two years later.
Jean-Pierre Papin was the first to reach the £10m mark, before the £20m barrier was obliterated in 1998 by Real Betis man Denilson.
It only took a further year for the first £30m transfer – Christian Vieri to Inter Milan – and Zinedine Zidane smashed the £40m mark in 2001.
Since then Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale have all upped the ante, before Pogba topped the lost.
But the question now is, who will be the first man to break the £100m barrier… and when will it be?
Check out the top ten players most likely to achieve the feat, according to bwin.
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG – Borussia Dortmund
A PROVEN top-level goalscorer who continues to find the net at a prodigious rate, the Gabon international turns heads like few others.
He’s in demand – with a Premier League move a possibility – reportedly unsettled and Dortmund will never have a better chance to cash-in.
HARRY KANE – Tottenham
FEW would argue he’s now England’s leading striker – which carries a premium of its own.
At only 23 and having just signed a new long-term deal at Tottenham he would cost a fortune… but many a top European club would be able to afford it.
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN – Atletico Madrid
REGULARLY linked with top clubs in Europe, including Manchester United, interest in his services is once again at fever pitch.
If he’s disillusioned by Atleti’s stuttering season, they would be able to demand a high fee for the French forward.
PAULO DYBALA – Juventus
OFFERS a potent mix of goals and assists, but has little left to prove in Serie A.
Another player with time on his side at just 23, Juventus would be able to command a large chunk of transfer free for the Argentine.
NEYMAR – Barcelona
ON the face of it the Brazilian is arguably the most valuable player on the planet based on his age, skill and accomplishments.
If he were to be sold it would have to be for an astronomical fee, you would imagine.
MARCO VERRATTI – Paris Saint-Germain
THE highest-paid midfielder on the list, the Italian is unlikely to reach his peak in France.
Few can boast his combination of youth and experience having been a first-team regular at a Champions League side for five seasons at the age of just 24…
EDEN HAZARD – Chelsea
HAVING returned to his title-winning form of 2014-15, the Belgian is being persistently linked to serial record-breakers Real Madrid.
Chelsea appear determined to keep hold of him by offering him a new £300,000-a-week deal, but at 26, his potential resale value will soon dive.
PHILIPPE COUTINHO – Liverpool
WITH Liverpool still a work in progress and bigger clubs circling, few hold blame the ‘Little Magician’ for having itchy feet.
However, a long contract means he wouldn’t come cheap for sides such as Barcelona, if the Reds could be talked into selling their star man.
YANNICK CARRASCO – Atletico Madrid
HAVING been spirited away from Monaco two seasons ago, the Belgian could be on the move again with a host of clubs set to swoop.
His young age and a big release clause guarantees that any deal would see an eye-watering amount of money change hands.
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE – Lyon
AFTEER another prolific season in Ligue 1 and with at least two clubs eyeing the forward, the time is starting to feel right for the French forward to move on.
The idea of testing himself in a new and more demanding environment could see his club motivate to sell him… for the right price.
