Football's Most Expensive Transfers: Flop or Success?

Football transfers often make headlines not just for the astronomical sums involved but also for the drama and speculation that accompany them. Over the years, huge deadline-day deals such as Robinho's stunning move from Real Madrid to Manchester City in 2008 and Mesut Ozil's departure from the Bernabeu to Arsenal five years later made the world stand still. Despite the massive fees paid by both men, neither of them makes the top three when it comes to the most expensive transfers ever made.

So, who does? And did they flop or were they a success at their new club? Let's find out.

Neymar: Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain

In the summer of 2017, Neymar's transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain shook the football world. When the Brazilian sensation left his boyhood club Santos to head to the Nou Camp in 2013, the Blaugrana club put a €222m release clause in his contract, thinking that was far too high for any club to ever pay.

Well, the powers that be in Catalonia certainly didn't bank on PSG becoming a financial powerhouse, and the club from the French capital triggered that release clause in 2017, making Neymar the most expensive signing of all time.

This move was not just about money; it was the Parisians declaring their intent to establish themselves as a European powerhouse. Neymar was brought in to lead the club to Champions League glory, and he came very close to doing exactly that in 2020 when he led his side to the final. Unfortunately for him, Bayern Munich managed to beat them 1-0 in the Lisbon showpiece, taking the title to Bavaria rather than the City of Love.

While Neymar secured multiple Ligue 1 titles and domestic trophies, the ultimate goal of Champions League success never materialized. While the Brazilian's brilliance is unquestionable, frequent injuries and off-field controversies marred his time in Paris. He moved to Al-Hilal last summer, with PSG able to recoup some €80m of the fee they paid for the Brazilian, and his time in Saudi Arabia has also been filled with stints on the sideline.

Rating: Flop

Kylian Mbappe: Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain

Following closely on Neymar's heels, Kylian Mbappe joined PSG from Monaco during the same transfer window in which the Neymar deal was completed. After initially joining on loan due to the funds spent on his flamboyant teammate, the Mongascque would have to wait 12 months before receiving their €180m from the Parisians, the second most expensive deal of all time and the most expensive for a teenager by some distance.

At just 18 years old, the French striker was already recognized as one of the brightest talents in world football. He had just led his former club to the Ligue 1 title as well as the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, despite being outsiders in both competitions. In 2018, he helped France win the FIFA World Cup in Russia, and he would go on to become PSG's talisman.

Mbappe certainly lived up to the hype, becoming arguably the best player in the world during his time at the Parc Des Princes. He has consistently been his side's top scorer and a crucial factor in their domestic and European campaigns. His pace, skill, and maturity beyond his years made him a nightmare for defenders and a fan favorite until the bright lights of Real Madrid came calling.

Mbappe left PSG this summer for the Bernabeu on a free transfer. That move has prompted the popular Bovada website to make Los Blancos a +300 second favorite for the Champions League this term, while his former club is way down at +2000. As such then, there is no doubt that PSG are in a much worse place without Mbappe than they were with him, but that doesn't discount anything he did during his stint in the French capital.

Rating: Success

Philippe Coutinho: Liverpool to Barcelona

Barcelona's decision to spend €160 million on Philippe Coutinho in January 2018 was seen as a direct response to Neymar's departure. The Catalan club hoped the former Inter Milan youngster's creativity and flair would fill the void left by his compatriot. He had risen to become perhaps the finest attacking midfielder on the planet during his time at Anfield, and the Catalonians relentlessly pursued their man for well over a year before ultimately securing his signature.

However, once he arrived at the Nou Camp, Coutinho struggled to find his rhythm. He joined a Blaugrana side that was looking for a new identity following the departure of Neymar, and neither he nor Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann - two other huge financial outlays for the club - were able to find their feet.

Despite sporadic moments of brilliance, Coutinho failed to consistently influence games. To make matters worse, during his loan move to Bayern Munich, the Brazilian playmaker scored twice against Barcelona in a Champions League semifinal. He then went on to help the Bavarians win the tournament, costing Barcelona more money in the process due to a clause in his transfer deal that required the Catalonians to fork out yet more money to Liverpool should Coutinho win the Champions League, Well, he did that, just not for the Blaugrana.

Rating: Flop