Goal takes a look at the top 10 players who boast the biggest overall price tags in football
Combined transfer fees are a fascinating gauge of a player's value as it provides some insight into what clubs have been willing to pay for an individual during their career.
The world-record transfer of Neymar from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 was something of a watershed moment in football, with transfers now regularly breaching the hundred million mark.
Since that point, the top 10 players with the biggest combined transfer fees have been in a state of flux, with a number of clubs forking out eye-watering amounts of money for marquee signings.
As you can imagine, however, the footballers who are considered the best (as well as being willing to change team) make up the list. Goal takes a look.
Getty Images1James Rodriguez | €140m
He may have joined Everton on a free transfer, but James Rodriguez still boasts one of the biggest numbers when it comes to combined transfer fees. Porto, Monaco and, most notably, Real Madrid paid millions for the Colombian playmaker.
AdvertisementGetty2Gonzalo Higuain | €140m
At Real Madrid, Gonzalo Higuain evolved into one of the most feared strikers in the world and that reputation made sure that clubs were happy to pay big money for his talent. While Madrid landed him from River for a relatively modest price, Napoli and Juventus parted with €40 million and €90 million respectively for 'El Pipita'.
Getty3Ousmane Dembele | €160m
Ousmane Dembele was the first major 100 million-plus transfer to follow the record-breaking Neymar deal in 2017, with Barcelona agreeing to sign him from Borussia Dortmund in a €145 million transaction. It is that deal which sees the France international among the top 10 players with the biggest combined transfer fees, adding on to the relatively modest €15 million paid to Rennes by Dortmund in 2016.
Getty4Zlatan Ibrahimovic | €160m
One of the greatest strikers in football history, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played for a number of the sport's institution clubs, including Ajax, Barcelona, AC Milan and Manchester United among others. While he moved on free transfers towards the end of his career, Ibrahimovic will happily revel in the fact that his ability has convinced so many clubs to part with significant sums of money. The biggest fee ever paid for the Swede was the €70 million Barca paid to Inter in 2009.