Tottenham’s two most expensive ever signings make the list…
SEE ALSO: The 50 best players at the 2014 World Cup.
Experts at the Swiss-based CIES Football Observatory have complied a study comparing the market values of players from all over Europe with the transfer fees actually paid from them last season, reported in the Daily Mail.
According to CIES, these ten stars are the most over-priced footballers in Europe based on what was paid for them, and their actual ability!
10) Roberto Soldado – Tottenham – Fee paid (£m) 23.6 – Value 14.0 – Gap: – 9.6
The Spanish striker totally flopped at Spurs during his debut campaign, and it’s rumoured that he’ll be shipped straight back to Spain this summer as a result.
Click through the pages to see the rest of the list!
9) Willian – Chelsea – Fee paid (£m) 29.8 – Value 19.8 – Gap: – 10
Willian is technically excellent, and works tirelessly up the right flank – but almost £30m for an attacker who scored just the three Premier League goals is undeniably steep.
8) Edinson Cavani – PSG – Fee paid (£m) 52.0 – Value 41.9 – Gap: – 10.2
The Uruguayan striker couldn’t get into the PSG side in his favoured central striking position because of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but he’s still valued at £41.9m by CIES.
7) Fernandinho – Manchester City – Fee paid (£m) 29.0 – Value 18.8 – Gap: – 10.2
The Brazilian battler played a crucial part in City’s title triumph, providing an excellent base from the midfield. His price though was astronomical.
6) Yohan Cabaye – PSG – Fee paid (£m) 22.6 – Value 11.6 – Gap: – 10.7
Newcastle sold the French midfielder in January, and although they’ve badly missed him, his value has dropped because he struggled to get in the PSG side.
5) Marouane Fellaini – Manchester United Fee paid (£m) 25.8 – Value 13.4 – Gap: – 12.4
A serious Manchester United flop. Fellaini is big and strong, but his lack of skill on the ball and technical ability has led him to become one of the scapegoats of last season’s nightmare campaign.
4) Erik Lamela – Tottenham – Fee paid (£m) 28.2 – Value 13.6 – Gap: – 14.6
The Argentine is Spurs’ most expensive ever signing, but injuries and poor form totally ruined his debut Premier League season. He has a lot of work to do to prove he’s worth anything like the fee paid for him.
3) Asier Illarramendi – Real Madrid – Fee paid (£m) 26.0 – Value 10.1 – Gap: – 15.9
Illarramendi only made 15 La Liga starts last term, struggling badly to implement himself in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans with the likes of Sami Khedira, Luka Modric and Xabi Alonso in central midfield.
2) Radamel Falcao – Monaco – Fee paid (£m) 48.4 – Value 22.7 – Gap: – 25.6
The world-class Colombian’s value gas dropped after a terrible injury ended his season early and will also keep him out of the World Cup this summer.
1) Gareth Bale – Real Madrid – Fee paid (£m) 80.6 – Value 50.9 – Gap: – 29.8
The Welshman won a Champions League and the Copa del Rey with Madrid, scoring goals in both finals – but according to the report, his world-record transfer fee was still massively inflated.
