The 5 most expensive transfers in soccer history

The transfer deadline day for international soccer is Tuesday, with teams making their final moves to buy and sell players before the chance to do so closes until January. One of the most exciting day of the season, fans will be refreshing their browsers constantly to see who will be switching teams in a window that has already seen both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi change addresses.

With the astronomical rise of transfer fees, it’s difficult to compare the fees of today to those of years past. It’s common to see unproven players move for $40 million, whereas that amount could get you a world-class superstar in the 2000s.

Thankfully, British financial site TotallyMoney built a Transfer Index, extrapolating how much historic transfers would cost in today’s market given age, inflation, marketing rights, and shirt sales. We present the five most expensive deals in world soccer history in modern-day cost.

5. Gareth Bale

Year: 2013
Teams involved: From Tottenham to Real Madrid
Adjusted value: $229 million

The first of two purchases by Madrid on our list, Bale moved from England to Spain for a then-record fee of $125 million. The fee is still one of the top 10 most expensive in actual dollars. Tottenham did not want to sell Bale, but they felt the distraction of declining such a large offer from a giant club would not be worth it.

While his individual stats have not lived up to the price tag, the investment has been more than worth it. The pacey winger has been hampered by injuries in his time at the Bernabeu, but he has played a key role in helping them win four Champions League crowns since his arrival as he scored in two of the finals. Bale was loaned back to Tottenham last season to revitalize his career, a move that worked as he has started all three La Liga matches for Madrid this season.

4. Romario

Year: 1993
Teams involved: From PSV Eindhoven to Barcelona
Adjusted value: $230 million

A key part of the "Dream Team" built by Johan Cruyff at Barcelona, Romario came to the Catalan powers after scoring 129 goals in 145 matches with Eindhoven over a five-year spell. The fee of $14.8 million was close to a then-record, as he joined superstars Hristo Stoichkov, Michael Laudrup, and Ronald Koeman.

Romario played just one and a half seasons for Barcelona, scoring 39 goals in 65 matches and winning FIFA World Player of the Year in 1994. However, Barcelona were stunned 4-0 in the 1994 Champions League final by Milan, and he was suspended in 1994 for five matches for punching an opponent. He left for less than a third of what he cost in the January 1995 transfer window, after a falling-out with Cruyff following a 5-0 defeat to Madrid.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

Year: 2009
Teams involved: From Manchester United to Real Madrid
Adjusted value: $268 million

Ronaldo’s announced transfer this past weekend brings him home to Manchester United, 12 years after he left the Red Devils for a world-record fee of $116 million. Ronaldo’s deal was massive, not just in terms of dollars but also in terms of the fervor it brought to Madrid fans. His unveiling at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium saw a crowd of more than 85,000 turn out just to see him speak.

The fee was worth every penny, as Ronaldo became the club’s all-time leading scorer with 451 goals in 438 games. He won four Champions League trophies, two La Liga titles, and was named the Ballon d’Or winner four times in his nine seasons. Of all the players on this list, Ronaldo may be the one you could actually call a "bargain" at the end of the day.

2. Neymar

Year: 2017
Teams involved: From Barcelona to PSG
Adjusted value: $278 million

At age 25, Neymar left Barcelona and Messi to join PSG, who were trying to make a push into Champions League territory with the backing of their ownership in Qatar. They needed a world-class player to be the face of the club, and the Brazilian fit the bill perfectly. Neymar’s release clause, a whopping $275 million, was triggered by the Qataris, and the deal was completed.

While the Champions League has eluded PSG, Neymar led them to the 2019-20 final, and he has won three Ligue 1 titles and three Coupe de France trophies. Earlier this season, he signed a new deal locking him in until 2025, and the arrival of Messi has PSG hoping this will be the year they realize their Champions League aspirations.

1. Gianluca Vialli

Year: 1992
Teams involved: From Sampdoria to Juventus
Adjusted value: $287 million

The one name on this list that most casual fans may have never heard, Vialli’s transfer to Juventus in 1992 for $20.4 million was a world-record, one of three to be set that summer. Not only did Juventus pay Sampdoria the hefty amount, they sent four players in the deal as well.

In his time with Juventus, he won five trophies in four seasons, and scored 38 goals in 102 matches. He captained the side in his final season with the club, including in the 1996 Champions League final victory over Ajax. Vialli left on a free transfer upon the end of his contract, not fully delivering the proper value on his staggering price.