CM: Cesc Fabregas
Back in the days when Arsene Wenger was the absolute boss of identifying bargain young talents, Cesc Fabregas might have been up there with his best finds. Costing just £2.8m (as per Transfermarkt), the Spaniard didn’t take too long to break into the first-team despite being just 17 years of age, and the rest is history: Fabregas became one of the best midfielders in the world, captained Arsenal, won the World Cup with his country and numerous other honours in spells at Barcelona and Chelsea.
AM: Gareth Bale
A player who would later go on to at least briefly become the most expensive footballer in the world, it’s easy to forget that Gareth Bale first joined Tottenham from Southampton for an initial fee of just £5m, according to BBC Sport‘s report at the time. Whilst he initially played at left-back and looked unconvincing, the Welshman later became a devastating attacking player and lit up the Premier League with his performances for Spurs, scoring screamer after screamer, particularly in 2012/13 before he earned his big move to Real Madrid.
AM: Philippe Coutinho
Now more well known for being an expensive flop at Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho’s initial move to Liverpool cost just £8.5m, as per BBC Sport, which is remarkable business really. The Brazilian maestro instantly looked like he was worth double that as he settled brilliantly into English football, becoming one of the most important players in the Liverpool team. Transfer fees hasn’t quite exploded in 2013 like they have now, but even for back then this was a very astute purchase.
AM: Robert Pires
A wonderful footballer who became instrumental for Arsenal in their 2001/02 double win and 2003/04 Invincible season, Robert Pires was another piece of Arsene Wenger brilliance in the transfer market, moving to Highbury for just £8.8m (fee via Transfermarkt). And while we’d never claim he was in Zinedine Zidane’s league, it’s worth noting that shortly afterwards his fellow Frenchman moved to Real Madrid for a then-world record £48.5m (via BBC Sport) and there’s certainly not as big a gap in quality between them as there was a gap in price.
ST: Robin van Persie
What a find! Robin van Persie moved to Arsenal in 2004 for a ridiculously low £3m (via BBC Sport) and became one of the great forwards in the country for many years. The Dutchman initially had his injury struggles for the Gunners, but left the club with over 100 goals and later went on to shine for Man Utd, albeit in a more expensive move when he became a bigger name.
Premier League 21st Century Bargains XI in full…
Nice history