After a grueling season, the transfer period is here with us and we are about to witness the money-spinning window once again, as teams strengthen for next season. With the 2022 World Cup coming midway through that season, we expect a significant investment by clubs and players will also want to position themselves well. Play time will be very crucial for players who wish to attract their national coaches and command places at the 2022 World Cup.
For European players, there’s an advantage they will have over other players as participating in the ongoing Nations League campaign will keep them in the headlines and offer them a chance after probably having had tough seasons at their clubs. That will however only work as far as their national teams are performing well.
French players, for example, will desperately hope their Nations League campaign takes off after a poor start. The French, starting this competition as champions, were expected to sail easily through to the finals but after three winless outings, it is difficult to authoritatively back a sure win prediction today for France on the SportyTrader football tips.
This, in effect, means a busy off-season beckons, and as we prepare for the talks, sagas and transfers, here we will sample some of the most profitable ones that have been made in the recent years in Europe.
Neymar: Brazilian forward Neymar, currently at French giants PSG, remains the most expensive player after his transfer from Barcelona. He cost PSG £200m, Barcelona having acquired him for £79m from Santos. A profit of about £121m makes him not just the most expensive but also most profitable.
Philippe Coutinho: The proceeds from Neymar’s sale were used to lure his Brazilian compatriot, Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona from Liverpool. Liverpool, who had acquired him from Inter Milan for £10m, went on to sell him five years later at £120m, making him the second most profitable player.
Ousmane Dembele: Still on Barcelona and the proceeds from Neymar’s sale, the Catalans were in the market for Frenchman Ousmane Dembele, who eventually joined from Borussia Dortmund. While his transfer from Rennes to Dortmund cost £15m, the German giants passed him on to Barcelona after just two seasons, for £105m, making a £95m profit to place him as the third most profitable player.
Gareth Bale: Another player from the Spanish league on the most expensive list is Gareth Bale. The Welshman was acquired by Tottenham Hotspur from Southampton for £14.7m in 2007. He was so good that six seasons later, Spurs sold him to Real Madrid for £100.8m, netting £86.1m in profits for the English Premier League club.
Eden Hazard: The Belgian international hasn’t had the best of times at Real Madrid. His time in Spain has so far been plagued with injuries, following a £103.5m move from Chelsea in 2019. Chelsea had acquired his services from French side Lille for £31.5m, thus the move to Spain netted them £72m in profit, making him the fifth most profitable player.
