History has shown that expensive expenditure is not always a guarantee of success, even if big-money transactions in sports frequently promise glory. In an attempt to improve their squads or solve team problems, wealthy teams regularly spend a lot of money on well-known players despite the risks. Not all record-breaking signings, though, live up to the hype.
With injuries, poor management, or just not living up to their transfer fee, a number of players have ended up on the wrong side of history. SHOLY NATION SPORTS revisits the top ten most disappointing football transfers in history in this article.
12. Jack Grealish: Aston Villa to Manchester City (2021) – £100m
When Manchester City paid £100 million for Jack Grealish, he became the most expensive English footballer in history. Nevertheless, he has had a lacklustre stint at the Etihad, scoring only 14 goals in 144 games. Many questioned if Grealish was worth the record amount as he failed to score during the whole 2024 calendar year.
11. Antony: Ajax to Manchester United (2022) – £86m
Although Manchester United spent £86 million to get Antony from Ajax, the Brazilian winger hasn’t been able to contribute anything at Old Trafford. Antony, who is renowned for his flare but lacks final product, has only scored 12 goals in 94 games, which is a disappointing record. Fans haven’t seen a particularly impressive performance that warrants his high price tag yet.
10. João Félix: Benfica to Atletico Madrid (2019) – €126m
João Félix, a young talent who was 19 at the time, was acquired by Atletico Madrid for €126 million, shocking the football world. However, Félix’s offensive flare was suppressed and he never really fit into Diego Simeone’s defensive scheme. Before being loaned to Chelsea, the Portuguese attacker only managed to score 25 goals in 96 La Liga games, making it difficult for him to justify his cost. In 2024, he finally signed a permanent contract with Chelsea.
9. Harry Maguire: Leicester City to Manchester United (2019) – £80m
When Manchester United paid £80 million for Harry Maguire in 2019, he became the most expensive defender in the world. Even though he had his moments, Maguire’s performances frequently fell short of living up to the high cost. His time as captain was tainted by criticism from both fans and commentators, and he found it difficult to handle the heavy attention at Old Trafford.
8. Nicolas Pépé: Lille to Arsenal (2019) – £72m
For £72 million, Arsenal broke their transfer record by acquiring Nicolas Pépé from Lille. The Ivorian winger, regrettably, never adjusted to life in the Premier League. Arsenal finally sent him out on loan before completely splitting from him due to his unreliability and failure to perform in crucial games.
7. Neymar: Barcelona to Al-Hilal (2023) –€90m
It was anticipated that Neymar’s historic €90 million move to Al-Hilal of the Saudi Pro League would usher in a new era of individual genius in his career. But he has had a terrible time in Saudi Arabia. Due to injuries and distractions off the pitch, the Brazilian attacker has found it difficult to contribute significantly. Neymar is among the most paid football players in the world, reportedly earning €150 million a year, although he has only appeared in five games for Al-Hilal.
When he had a severe anterior cruciate ligament injury in October 2023 while playing for Brazil on international duty, it further exacerbated his problems and kept him out of action for several months. Many have called Neymar one of the most costly and disappointing moves in football history due to his limited playing time and lack of noteworthy contributions.
6. Antoine Griezmann: Atletico Madrid to Barcelona (2019) – €120m
Atletico Madrid’s €120 million acquisition of Antoine Griezmann by Barcelona backfired terribly. The French forward became a symbol of Barcelona’s financial mismanagement after failing to duplicate his Atletico success. The club was unable to keep Lionel Messi because of his outrageous salary. Griezmann finally found his form again at Atletico, where he was paid a reduced cost.
5. Romelu Lukaku: Inter Milan to Chelsea (2021) – £98m
Romelu Lukaku’s £98 million move to Chelsea turned out to be a huge mistake. After succeeding at Inter Milan, the Belgian striker found it difficult to adjust at Stamford Bridge and stirred up controversy by disparaging the team in an unapproved interview. After a disappointing comeback to Chelsea, Lukaku was sent out on loan.
4. Paul Pogba: Juventus to Manchester United (2016) – £89m
When Manchester United paid £89 million to acquire Paul Pogba from Juventus, they shattered the transfer record. But the Frenchman’s second term at Old Trafford was lacklustre, with off-field scandals and patchy performances taking front stage. Pogba moved on a free transfer to Juventus once more in 2022, and a failing drug test in 2023 further damaged his career and cast doubt on his future.
3. Eden Hazard: Chelsea to Real Madrid (2019) – €100m
The goal of Eden Hazard’s €100 million transfer to Real Madrid was to cover Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence. But the Belgian was overweight when he got there and had injuries all through his stay at the Bernabéu. His actions, such as joking with Chelsea players after Real Madrid was ousted from the Champions League, did little to help his reputation, and fans were even more irritated by his seeming lack of effort. Hazard’s Madrid contract was terminated, and he retired in 2023.
2. Ousmane Dembélé: Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona (2017) – €105m
Only a few months prior, Barcelona made their second costly error when they paid €105 million for Ousmane Dembélé. The French winger, who was signed to replace Neymar, struggled with injuries and off-field behavioural concerns, making him unworthy of the investment. He missed more than 85 games because of injuries between 2017 and 2021. Despite his apparent skill, Dembélé’s time at Barcelona will be remembered as a huge disappointment. He left for PSG in 2023.
In 2023, he signed a free transfer from Barcelona to PSG.
1. Philippe Coutinho: Liverpool to Barcelona (2018) – €120m
Many people consider Barcelona’s decision to sign Philippe Coutinho for an initial €120 million plus €40 million in add-ons to be a mistake. The Brazilian midfielder had a difficult time fitting in at Camp Nou, and his performances were far from up to par. Ironically, he scored twice against Barcelona in an 8–2 thumping in the 2020 UEFA Champions League while on loan at Bayern Munich, making it his most memorable moment. In 2022, Barcelona suffered a huge financial loss when Coutinho was sold to Aston Villa for a mere €20 million.
REMARKABLE MENTIONS: Alvaro Morata: £60 million from Real Madrid to Chelsea (2017)
Kepa Arrizabalaga: £72 million from Athletic Club to Chelsea (2018)
Romelu Lukaku: £75 million from Everton to Manchester United (2017)
Fernando Torres: £50 million from Liverpool to Chelsea (2011)
Kaka: €68.5 million from AC Milan to Real Madrid (2009)
Angel Di Maria: £60 million from Real Madrid to Manchester United, 2014
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: £59 million plus Samuel Eto’o from Inter Milan to Barcelona (2009)!
James Rodriguez: €80 million from Monaco to Real Madrid (2014)
Eliaquim Mangala: £42 million from Valencia to Manchester City in 2014
Alexis Sanchez: 2018 trade from Arsenal to Manchester United
Luka Jovic: €60 million to join Real Madrid from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019
Andy Carroll: £35 million from Newcastle United to Liverpool (2011)
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