The actual fee paid for the Premier League’s most popular players varies by significant margins.
While Paul Pogba cost $120 million when he rejoined Manchester United from Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur paid nothing for Harry Kane when he was moved from the junior team to the senior team.
The differences are striking, but can a large investment ensure better results? Is there a direct link between the player’s fee and the quality of their contribution to the buying club?
According to Opta, the transfer fees paid by the club and the 10 most influential players in the Premier League so far this season tell a different story. The Betway insider sports blog looked at some of the notable players who made a mark for their teams in the just-ended EPL season.
Some of these players cost their clubs a lot of money, while others came in for free. Kevin De Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes, Sadio Mane, Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez, Jesse Lingard, and Harry Kane.
Related: EPL Billions, Big Cash-Out! – How 20 Clubs Shared 2020/21 Season Prize Money
De Bruyne was the most expensive of them all, having cost Manchester City €76 million before the 2015-16 season. Despite strong performances in Germany, he struggled to make an impression at Chelsea, and his return to England was still a risk for the Citizens.
However, he has more than made up for that transfer fee in the following seasons with City, establishing himself as one of the best playmakers of his time. Indeed, the fact that he is still regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League five years later is tribute to his effect in the top level.
Mahrez joined Manchester City for a hefty €67.8 million fee after playing a key role in the Foxes’ remarkable 2016 title triumph.
He took his time to establish himself in a City shirt, but what he has achieved at the Etihad since is proof of his accomplishment. It was money well-spent for the Algerian who has enjoyed a great season, especially in the Champions League where he almost single-handedly bundled PSG out of the competition.
Manchester United supporters on the other hand, cannot complain about the €55 million they paid for Bruno Fernandes. Manchester United have not been the same side since they signed the Portuguese. Only 4 months ago, saying Manchester United would finish as runners up would not have made sense, but we all know how the story went.
Harry Kane cost Spurs nothing, but despite finishing without a trophy, he has had an unforgettable season. He pipped Mo Salah to the golden boot in the just-concluded 2020/21 EPL season with 23 goals, and makes a strong claim for the MVP award. Kane was your daily favourite with Betway to score any minute.
Jesse Lingard’s Manchester United career seemed to be over, but West Ham pulled a big one when they snapped him on loan. Everyone knows just how good Lingard has been for the hammers, playing an instrumental role in their strong sixth place finish.
Jack Grealish, save for a late setback that saw him miss crucial matches towards the end of the season, has been influential for Aston Villa. His absence was notable when Villa took a slump after an astonishing start to the season. It is not a surprise that big guns are lining up for his signature.
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