We name the 100 biggest Premier League transfer fees, adjusted for inflation: featuring Emile Heskey, Juan Mata, Sean Wright-Philips and more!
100. Obafemi Martins
Inter Milan to Newcastle, 2006/07
Fee: £10m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £24.9m
The ageless Nigerian had three decent seasons for Newcastle before departing for Wolfsburg in a £9m deal.
99. David de Gea
Atletico Madrid to Manchester United, 2011/12
Fee: £18.9m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £25.1m
The agile Spaniard has proved worth every penny and looks set to be United’s number one for years to come.
98. Albert Luque
Deportivo to Newcastle, 2005/06
Fee: £9.6m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £25.2m
The Spanish winger was a total flop and left for Ajax after two seasons and just one Premier League goal.
97. Roque Santa Cruz
Blackburn Rovers to Manchester City, 2009/10
Fee: £17.5m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £25.4m
Injuries restricted the Paraguayan to just 20 league appearances for City.
96. Darren Bent
Charlton to Tottenham, 2007/08
Fee: £15.5m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £25.5m
The poacher finished Spurs’ top scorer in his first full season at the club but was sold to Sunderland for a small profit.
95. Steve Marlet
Lyon to Fulham, 2001/02
Fee: £13.5m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £25.54m
The Frenchman had four decent seasons at Craven Cottage but never looked worth such a hefty fee.
94. Kevin Davies
Southampton to Blackburn Rovers, 1998/99
Fee: £7.25m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £25.6m
Davies flopped at Ewood Park and returned to Southampton after just one season.
93. Andre Schurrle
Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea, 2013/14
Fee: £19.36m
The German has made a solid, if unspectacular start, to his career at Stamford Bridge.
92. Yuri Khirkov
CSKA Moscow to Chelsea, 2009/10
Fee: £18m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £26.25m
The winger was a disappointment at Stamford Bridge, managing just 29 league appearances in two seasons before returning to Russia.
91. Glen Johnson
Portsmouth to Liverpool, 2009/10
Fee: £18m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £26.25m
The England right back is still a mainstay in the Liverpool back four and has improved dramatically defensively since his Pompey days.
90. Tiago
Benfica to Chelsea, 2004/05
Fee: £10m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £26.28m
The Portuguese helped Chelsea to the league title in his one season at the Bridge before departing for Lyon.
89. John Hartson
West Ham to Wimbledon, 1998/99
Fee: £7.5m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £26.5m
The Welsh striker was brought to South London by Joe Kinnear but failed ti impress and left for Coventry after two seasons.
88. Romelu Lukaku
Anderlecht to Chelsea, 2011/12
Fee: £20m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £26.6m
Chelsea spent big on the teenage Belgian, who looks a great buy despite spending the past season-and-a-half on loan.
87. Stewart Downing
Aston Villa to Liverpool, 2011/12
Fee: £20m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £26.6m
Downing failed to record a goal or assist in his first full season at Anfield and was sold by Brendan Rodgers last summer.
86. Jose Bosingwa
Porto to Chelsea, 2007/08
Fee: £16.2m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £26.69
The Portuguese helped Chelsea to Champions League glory before being released on a free in summer 2012.
85. Luis Suarez
Ajax to Liverpool, 2010/11
Fee: £22.8m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £26.7m
The Uruguayan is one of the best players on the planet and looks worth every penny spent by Kenny Dalglish.
84. Gary Speed
Everton to Newcastle, 1997/98
Fee: £5.5m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £26.8m
The likeable midfielder spent six years at St James’ Park and became a fan favourite with his all-action displays.
83. Didi Hamann
Newcastle to Liverpool, 1999/00
Fee: £8m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £27m
The German was instrumental in Liverpool’s Champions League win and remains a cult hero at the Merseyside club.
82. Dimitar Berbatov
Bayer Leverkusen to Tottenham, 2006/07
Fee: £10.8m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £27.1m
The Bulgarian was sublime for Spurs, persuading Manchester United to part a club-record fee for his signature.
81. Chris Sutton
Norwich City to Blackburn Rovers, 1994/95
Fee: £5m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £27.3m
Sutton proved a great buy, helping Rovers to the title and forming a great partnership with Alan Shearer.
80. Xabi Alonso
Real Sociedad to Liverpool, 2004/05
Fee: £10.5m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £27.5m
The Spaniard remains a fan favourite at Anfield despite after surprisingly sold by Rafa Benitez.
79. Nemanja Matic
Benfica to Chelsea, 2013/14
Fee: £21m
Chelsea spent big to re-sign the midfielder who made his full debut against Stoke at the weekend.
78. Owen Hargreaves
Bayern Munich to Manchester United, 2007/08
Fee: £17m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £28m
The terrier-like midfielder initially impressed at Old Trafford before his career was ruined by persistent injuries.
77. Nani
Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United, 2007/08
Fee: £17m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £28m
The Portuguese was billed as the successor to Cristiano Ronaldo but has only impressed in fits and starts for United.
76. Darren Bent
Sunderland to Aston Villa, 2010/11
Fee: £24m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £28m
The striker is the first man to make it on to this list twice.
75. Mario Balotelli
Inter Milan to Manchester City, 2010/11
Fee: £24m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £28m
The volatile Italian was brilliant and frustrating in equal measure for City. He now plays for Inter’s city rivals AC Milan.
74. Javier Mascherano
West Ham United to Liverpool, 2006/07
Fee: £18.2m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £28.2m
The brilliant Argentina was excellent for Liverpool before departing for Barcelona.
73. Sergei Rebrov
Dynamo Kiev to Tottenham, 2000/01
Fee: £11m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £28.26m
The Ukrainian was a complete flop, managing just ten goals in 60 league appearances before leaving for West Ham.
72. Dennis Bergkamp
Inter Milan to Arsenal, 1995/96
Fee: £7.5m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £28.4m
The Dutchman is one of Arsenal’s greatest ever players. He featured in over 300 Premier League games before retiring at the club.
71. Faustino Asprilla
Parma to Newcastle United, 1995/96
Fee: £7.5m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £28.4m
The Colombian is something of a cult hero at St James’ but proved a flop at Newcastle and returned to Parma after two seasons.
70. Scott Parker
Charlton to Chelsea, 2003/04
Fee: £10m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £28.9m
The Blues signed the midfielder from then-rivals Charlton but he couldn’t hold down a regular place at left for Newcastle after one season.
69. Alberto Aquilani
AS Roma to Liverpool, 2009/10
Fee: £20m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £29.1m
A dreadful signing, who returned to Italy after making just 18 league appearances for the Anfield club.
68. Les Ferdinand
Newcastle United to Tottenham, 1997/98
Fee: £6m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £29.2m
The striker was a big success at Spurs and is now part of Tim Sherwood’s back-room staff.
67. Alvaro Negredo
Sevilla to Manchester City, 2013/14
Fee: £22m
The Spaniard is scoring goals for fun and looks like one of the best buys of the summer.
66. David Silva
Valencia to Manchester City, 2010/11
Fee: £25m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £29.3m
No-one in the Premier League has recorded more assists than Silva since his arrival. The Spaniard has proved a great buy.
65. Alexander Hleb
VfB Stuttgart to Arsenal, 2005/06
Fee: £11.2m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £29.5m
The Belorussian impressed in three seasons in North London before departing for Barcelona.
64. Anderson
Porto to Manchester United, 2007/08
Fee: £18
Fee adjusted for inflation: £29.6m
The Brazilian struggled to hold down a first team place at United and has just been sent on loan to Fiorentina.
63. Jon Obi Mikel
Lyn to Chelsea, 2006/07
Fee: £12m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £29.9m
The Nigerian ended up costing Chelsea a lot more because they were forced to pay compensation to Manchester United.
62. Nicolas Anelka
PSG to Manchester City, 2002/03
Fee: £13m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £30.2m
The controversial Frenchman scored at a decent rate in three seasons in Manchester, before leaving for Fenerbahce.
61. Stevan Jovetic
Fiorentina to Manchester City, 2013/14
Fee: £22.8m
The forward has been injured for almost the entire season and is yet to make an impact at City.
60. James Milner
Aston Villa to Manchester City, 2010/11
Fee: £26m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £30.5
The tireless midfielder is still a regular with both City and England.
59. Juan Mata
Valencia to Chelsea, 2011/12
Fee: £23m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £30.5m
The classy Spaniard was named Chelsea’s player of the year two seasons running before his shock sale to Manchester United last week.
58. Samir Nasri
Arsenal to Manchester City, 2011/12
Fee: £23m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £30.5
Nasri moved to Man City after refusing a new deal at Arsenal and helped the Citizens to their first ever Premier League title.
57. Theo Walcott
Southampton to Arsenal, 2005/06
Fee: £12m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £31.6m
The Gunners spent big on 16-year-old Walcott and, although inconstant at times, he has proved value for money.
56. Yaya Toure
Barcelona to Manchester City, 2010/11
Fee: £27m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £31.6m
The Ivorian was surely Roberto Mancini’s best signing for City and is comfortably one of the most feared players in the Premier League at present.
55. Joleon Lescott
Everton to Manchester City, 2009/10
Fee: £22m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £32m
After a long transfer battle, City prized Lescott from Everton. The England centre back is still at Eastlands but no longer first choice.
54. Stan Collymore
Nottingham Forest to Liverpool, 1995/96
Fee: £8.5
Fee adjusted for inflation: £32.2m
Collymore was signed by Roy Evans to score goals and managed to bag 28 in 64 league appearances for Liverpool, before joining Aston Villa.
53. Edin Dzeko
Wolfsburg to Manchester City, 2010/11
Fee: £27.5m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £32.2
The powerful striker has scored plenty of goals for City despite never being first choice at the Etihad Stadium.
52. Roy Keane
Nottingham Forest to Manchester United, 1993/94
Fee: £3.75m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £32.3m
The Irishman proved one of Ferguson’s best ever signings, helping the club to seven Premier League titles.
51. Fernando Torres
Atletico Madrid to Liverpool, 2007/08
Fee: £20m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £32.9m
The Spaniard prove a stunning signing for Liverpool, terrorising Premier League defences before joining Chelsea for £50m.
50. Sylvain Wiltord
Bordeaux to Arsenal
Fee: £13m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £33.3m
The classy Frenchman was a great signing and scored the only goal at Old Trafford to hand Arsenal a famous title win in 2001/02.
49. Thierry Henry
Juventus to Arsenal, 1999/00
Fee: £10m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £33.8m
The mercurial forward is perhaps Arsenal’s greatest ever player and proved worth every penny of the Gunners’ £10m investment.
48. Chris Sutton
Blackburn Rovers to Chelsea, 1999/00
Fee: £10m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £33.8m
After impressing at Ewood Park, Sutton flopped massively at Stamford Bridge, bagging just one league in his only season with Chelsea.
47. Stan Collymore
Liverpool to Aston Villa, 1997/98
Fee: £7m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £34.1m
Collymore struggled at Villa, managing just seven goals in 46 league games.
46. Fabrizio Ravanelli
Juventus to Middlesborough, 1997/98
Fee: £7m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £34.1m
The Italian was electric in his one season at the Riverside, bagging 17 league goals.
45. Arjen Robben
PSV to Chelsea, 2004/05
Fee: £13m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £34.1m
The speedy Dutchman won two league titles and an FA Cup with Chelsea but has hit new heights since joining Bayern Munich.
44. Paulo Ferreira
Porto to Chelsea, 2004/05
Fee: £13.2m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £34.6m
The right back was Jose Mourinho’s first signing as Chelsea boss and proved an excellent buy, helping the Blues to three league titles.
43. Dimitar Berbabtov
Tottenham to Manchester United, 2008/09
Fee: £30.5m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £34.8m
The classy Bulgarian finished with the Premier League Golden Boot in his third full season at Old Trafford but was not an automatic pick and left for Fulham in summer 2012.
42. Roberto Soldado
Valencia to Tottenham, 2013/14
Fee: £26.4m
The Spaniard has struggled to adapt to the Premier League and boasts just one goal from open play so far this season.
41. Erik Lamela
Roma to Tottenham, 2013/14
Fee: £26.4m
Spurs’ record signing has struggled to make an impact and is already being linked with a return to Italy.
40. Cristiano Ronaldo
Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United, 2003/04
Fee: £12.2m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £35.4m
United were handsomely rewarded for their £12.2m spend, with Ronaldo becoming one of the best players in world football at Old Trafford before joining Real Madrid for a then-world record £80m fee.
39. Ruud van Nistelrooy
PSV to Manchester United, 2001/02
Fee: £19m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £35.9m
The Dutch poacher proved worth the cash, bagging nearly 100 league goals in five seasons at Old Trafford.
38. Juan Veron
Manchester United to Chelsea, 2003/04
Fee: £12.5m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £36.2m
After flopping at Old Trafford, Veron also struggled at Chelsea and eventually returned to Argentina after failing to make an impact at Stamford Bridge.
37. Emmanuel Adebayor
Arsenal to Manchester City, 2009/10
Fee: £25m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £36.4m
The controversial striker initially impressed at City before he slipped into old habits and was dropped by Roberto Mancini.
36. Jaap Stam
PSV to Manchester United, 1998/99
Fee: £10.5m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £37.1m
The imperious Dutch centre-half was the only player Sir Alex Ferguson ever regretted selling.
35. Carlos Tevez
Manchester United to Manchester City, 2009/10
Fee: £25m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £37.1m
The striker’s move across town led to the infamous ‘Welcome to Manchester’ poster and Tevez continued to be a thorn in United’s side, helping City to their maiden title in 2011/12.
34. Robinho
Real Madrid to Manchester City, 2008/09
Fee: £32.5m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £37.1m
The Brazilian thought he had signed for Chelsea on transfer deadline day 2008 but instead was unveiled by City. He flopped and moved back to Santos on loan after just 41 league appearances.
33. Louis Saha
Fulham to Manchester United, 2003/04
Fee: £12.85m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £37.2m
The Frenchman struggled for regular football in his four seasons at Old Trafford.
32. Emile Heskey
Leicester City to Liverpool, 1999/00
Fee: £11m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £37.2m
The powerful striker is a figure of derision nowadays but was a consistent scorer for both Leicester and Liverpool.
31. Djbril Cisse
Auxerre to Liverpool, 2004/05
Fee: £14.2m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £37.3m
A horrific double leg break did not help Cisse’s Anfield career but he never looked Liverpool quality.
30. Marouane Fellaini
Everton to Manchester United, 2013/14
Fee: £28.5m
The Belgian has struggled at United and been a symbol of Moyes’ shaky start.
Fee adjusted for inflation: £37.1m
29. Andy Cole
Newcastle United to Manchester United, 1994/95
Fee: £7m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £38.2m
One of the best strikers of the Premier League, Cole formed a lethal partnership with Dwight Yorke to fire United to the treble in 1999.
28. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Atletico Madrid to Chelsea, 2000/01
Fee: £15m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £38.5m
The Dutch striker scored a shedload of goals for Chelsea in four seasons at Stamford Bridge.
27. Ashley Cole
Arsenal to Chelsea, 2006/07
Fee: £16m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £39.8m
The England left back has been consistently one of the best defenders in the world since joining Chelsea but has recently been dropped by boss Jose Mourinho.
26. Claude Makelele
Real Madrid to Chelsea, 2003/04
Fee: £13.9m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £40.2m
So good they named a position after him. The Frenchman was crucial to Chelsea’s success under Mourinho, expertly protecting the back four.
25. Andy Carroll
Newcastle to Liverpool. 2010/11
Fee: £35m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £41m
The English striker struggled with form and injuries and Anfield and was sold to West Ham for £17m this summer.
24. Willian
Anzhi Mackhachkala to Chelsea, 2013/14
Fee: £31.2m
After a three-way transfer battle, Willian ended up at Chelsea and has impress in his first six months at the Bridge.
23. Eden Hazard
Lille to Chelsea, 2011/12
Fee: £32m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £42.5m
The Belgian has developed into one of the finest players in the Premier League and looks worth Chelsea’s hefty investment.
22. Dwight Yorke
Aston Villa to Manchester United, 1998/99
Fee: £12.6m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £44.5m
The striker formed lethal partnership with Andy Cole and scored nearly 50 league goals in four seasons at United.
21. Michael Owen
Real Madrid to Newcastle, 2005/06
Fee: £17m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £44.7m
Injuries hampered Owen’s spell on Tyneside but he still scored 26 league goals in 71 appearances for the club.
20. Adrian Mutu
Parma to Chelsea, 2003/04
Fee: £15.8m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £45.7m
The Romanian proved a terrible investment after he was sacked by Chelsea for taking cocaine. The Blues sued him for his transfer fee, which remains unpaid.
19. Rio Ferdinand
West Ham to Leeds United, 2000/01
Fee: £18m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £46.2m
The imperious defender was a key part of Leeds’ golden era before he jumped ship to Manchester United in a then-club record deal.
18. Michael Carrick
Tottenham to Manchester United, 2006/07
Fee: £18.6m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £46.3m
The England midfielder has been a mainstay at United for the past few seasons but is solid rather than spectacular.
17. Fernandinho
Shakhtar Donetsk to Manchester City, 2013/14
Fee: £35.2m
The Brazilian looks a tad overpriced for a 28-year-old but has made a strong start to his career at Eastlands.
16. Hernan Crespo
Inter Milan to Chelsea, 2003/04
Fee: £16.8
Fee adjusted for inflation: £48.6m
The Argentine only played for two seasons at Chelsea but scored at a rate of nearly a goal a game.
15. Damien Duff
Blackburn Rovers to Chelsea, 2003/04
Fee: £17m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £49.2m
Duff was electric on first joining Chelsea but faded after a series of injuries and left for Newcastle United after three seasons.
14. Juan Mata
Chelsea to Manchester United, 2013/14
Fee: £37.1m
The Spaniard is yet to play a game for United but looks a very astute signing from David Moyes.
13. Sergio Aguero
Atletico Madrid to Manchester City, 2011/12
Fee: £38m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £50.5m
The Argentine has established himself as one of the best strikers in the Premier League and scored the all-important goal to win City their maiden titles in 2011/212.
12. Jose Antonio Reyes
Sevilla to Arsenal, 2003/04
Fee: £17.6m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £50.9m
Reyes was brilliant at first but faded after half a season and ultimately proved a disappointment.
11. Ricardo Carvalho
Porto to Chelsea, 2004/05
Fee: £19.8m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £52m
The Portuguese defender was a rock at the heart of Chelsea’s defence, helping the West London side to three league titles.
10. Juan Sebastian Veron
SS Lazio to Manchester United, 2001/02
Fee: £28.1m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £53.2m
Juan Sebastian Veron arrived at Manchester United a world class player, but struggled to live up to his reputation at Old Trafford. The pace of the English game proved too much for him, but the Argentine did shine in European competition.
9. Shaun Wright-Phillips
Manchester City to Chelsea, 2005/06
Fee: £21m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £55.3m
Shaun Wright-Phillips is the perfect example of Chelsea’s overspending under Roman Abramovich – signed when there was no desperate need for him at Stamford Bridge. He now sits on the bench at QPR.
8. Alan Shearer
Blackburn Rovers to Newcastle United, 1996/97
Fee: £15m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £57.8m
Alan Shearer moved to Newcastle United for a world record fee of £15 million in summer 1996. His record of 260 goals in 434 Premier League appearances is higher than any other player.
7. Mesut Ozil
Real Madrid to Arsenal, 2013/14
Fee: £44m
Arsenal’s signing of Mesut Ozil was a monumental deal for the club – tripling their record outlay on a player. Ozil has brought a winning mentality to Emirates Stadium, with the north London club enjoying their first title challenge in years.
6. Fernando Torres
Liverpool to Chelsea, 2010/11
Fee: £50m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £58.7m
Fernando Torres has been castigated for his goal record since joining Chelsea for £50 million, with the Daily Mirror ironically referring to him as ‘Goal Machine.’
Adjusting the fee for inflation doesn’t make him look any better.
5. Didier Drogba
Olympique de Marseille to Chelsea, 2004/05
Fee: £24m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £63.1m
Didier Drogba was recently voted Chelsea’s greatest ever player, and after winning the club the UEFA Champions League with the last penalty in a shootout – in what was his final kick for the club – he will go down in Blues history as a bargain whatever the price.
4. Michael Essien
Olympique Lyonnais to Chelsea, 2005/06
Fee: £26m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £68.9m
Michael Essien gave Chelsea eight and a half brilliant years of service, adding a physicality and dynamism to the Blues midfield. His lung busting performances gave him a level of consistency few could match.
3. Rio Ferdinand
Leeds United to Manchester United, 2002/03
Fee: £30m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £69.9m
For a time, Rio Ferdinand was the best defender in the world. His performances at FIFA World Cup 2002 were as imperious as it gets, and he helped Manchester United break club and European clean sheet records alongside Nemanja Vidic and Edwin Van Der Sar.
2. Wayne Rooney
Everton to Manchester United, 2004/05
Fee: £27m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £71m
Wayne Rooney signed for Manchester United as arguably the most exciting teenager in world football. Should he stay beyond his current contract – and the signs are positive that he will sign a colossal new deal – Rooney has a real chance of breaking the Red Devils’ all time goalscoring record.
1. Andriy Shevchenko
AC Milan to Chelsea, 2006/07
Fee: £30.8m
Fee adjusted for inflation: £76.8m
Andriy Shevchenko was bought for Chelsea for £30.8m just two months short of his 30th birthday. That is a huge price to pay for someone beyond the typical peak years for a striker, regardless of their success.
As it happens, he only scored nine Premier League goals in 48 appearances for the Blues.