8. Marc Overmars – 1997, £5.5m
The diminutive Dutchman took to life in the Premier League with consummate ease, mostly because nobody could catch him, and the fleet footed winger soon became one of the manager’s most trusted men.
Having arrived for the modest sum of £5.5m, his value increased greatly whilst under Wenger’s wing and he was sold on to Barcelona for a sum of £25m three years later.
His record of 40 goals in 136 appearances was highly impressive for a winger and his was also one of the first deals that showed how intelligent Wenger could be in the transfer market.