Jesus Navas – Sevilla to Manchester City, £14.9 million
The term ‘one club man’ isn’t used in football so much these days, but if there was one player that many thought the moniker would suit best it was Jesus Navas of Sevilla.
Not strictly because of any overriding loyalty to the club, but because of a crippling anxiety that had at one point threatened to derail his career completely.
Known as acute homesickness – he would be struck with panic attacks whenever he was away from home for too long, and affliction that meant his international career couldn’t truly begin until 2009, and in 2006 he even turned down a move to Chelsea because of it.
However, he has now showed signs that he is over the problem and was a key figure in last month’s Confederations Cup campaign that saw them march all the way to the final only to crumble at the hands of hosts Brazil.
‘I didn’t let anything cross my mind because I was so certain what the objective was. We were mentally strong and that’s what made the difference,’ he said.
“I want to keep growing as a player.
“Things have been clear for a few months. City made a strong move for me and I knew my time in Sevilla would come to an end.”
Blessed with a terrifying turn of pace and a slalom like dribbling ability he is expected to make a strong impact on the Premier League this season.