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Ten Most Expensive Signings in Premier League History

Who are the ten most expensive signings in Premier League History?

With the recent signing of Jadon Sancho to Manchester United after a lengthy transfer saga lasting more than 16 months, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has finally got the winger his side has needed.

Since United appointed Solskjaer in 2018, he has made some inspired arrivals that have cost a fortune.

Sancho’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund has increased the overall expenditure of the most lucrative signings in Premier League history.

As it stands Manchester United have the most signings in the top ten, with five.

Chelsea is in second with two big-name signings, both of which were made in the past 3 years.

Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City all make up the rest of the top ten with one signing a piece.

Making the overall expenditure of the ten most expensive signings in Premier League history reach £740 million.

But who makes up the current top ten? Who has cost the most in English top-flight history with Sancho now making the list?

10. Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid to Manchester United in 2014) – £67 million

The Argentinian winger was coming off a sensational 2013/2014 season for Los Blancos, contributing to 36 goals in 53 appearances.

He made the world take notice of his talent in the 2014 Champions League final against Atletico Madrid, putting in a man of the match performance which saw him lift his first Champions League title.

Louis Van Gaal signed the winger in the summer of that season, and he immediately hit the ground running.

Contributing to 7 goals in 10 games, and scoring a wonder goal against Leicester.

After injuries, he never seemed to adapt to the league itself and immediately left for PSG after one season. Only making 27 appearances for United.

9. Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg to Manchester City in 2015) – £68 million

After leaving Chelsea under manager Jose Mourinho, De Bruyne left for German outfit Wolfsburg at the age of 24.

His best season is the 2014/2015 one, scoring 16 goals and assisting 28 in 51 games made Man City jump at the chance to bring him back to England.

Since his arrival, he has become the best midfielder in world football. Winning 3 Premier League titles, 1 FA Cup and 5 League Cups.

Along with these trophies, he has been named as Manchester City’s Player of the Season (3 times), FIFA FIFPro World 11 (1 time), UEFA Team of the Year (3 times), ESM Team of the Year (3 times), PFA Premier League Team of the Year (3 times), Premier League Playmaker of the Season (2 times), Premier League Player of the season in 2019/2020 as well as picking up the PFA Players’ Player of the Year (2 times).

Making him on the most expensive midfield signings in Premier League history, bit one worth the price tag.

8. Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea in 2018) – £72 million

In the summer of 2018, Chelsea lost goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid in the final few days of the transfer window.

August 18th, saw Chelsea sign the young keeper for a world-record fee for a goalkeeper, beating out Liverpool’s then world-record fee for Alisson.

Signing the 24-year-old keeper for £72 million who was an unknown and on a 7-year contract was risky for the London club.

His first season was a mixed one. Performance-wise he performed adequately, keeping 23 clean sheets and making some good saves.

Winning the Europa League, but causing controversy in the League Cup Final against Manchester City. Refusing to be substituted by then manager Maurizio Sarri before a penalty-shoot out.

He suffered to gain form during his second season under Frank Lampard and was dropped for the remainder of the season.

Now playing second fiddle to Édouard Mendy, he has been rumoured to be leaving Chelsea, with a return back to Spain the most likely destination.

7. Nicolas Pépé (LOSC Lille to Arsenal in 2019) – £72 million

Under Unai Emery, Arsenal was looking for a marquee signing. Having failed with a summer-long attempt to lure Wilfred Zaha to the Emirates. They turned their attention to France.

Winger Nicolas Pépé arrived in London in the summer of 2019, with massive hype. Contributing to 35 goals in 41 assists in his final season with Lille.

His first season with Arsenal was respectable, with 18 goals and assists in 42 games, and winning the FA Cup.

Coming under criticism for his performances since his arrival, with some lacklustre games making fans and pundits call him ”overrated”

However, he fared slightly better statistically in his second season, getting 21 goals and assists in 47 games, impressing towards the end of the season.

6. Kai Havertz (Bayer 04 Leverkusen to Chelsea in 2020) – £72 million

Chelsea’s incredible transfer haul in the 2020 summer transfer window saw the London club spend up to £225 million on 5 high calibre players.

With German ”generational talent” Kai Havertz topping off a great window.

The 21-year-old midfielder took time to adapt under Frank Lampard, after a solid performance away to Burnley, he tested positive for Coronavirus and suffered from ”long Covid” for many months.

Contributing to 18 goals all season, playing very well towards the end of last season under Thomas Tuchel, playing as a false 9.

Scoring the winning goal in the Champions League final and putting in a star performance.

5. Virgil Van Dijk (Southampton to Liverpool in 2018) – £75 million

Liverpool made a statement of intent in the January transfer window, signing centre-back Virgil Van Dijk from Southampton.

Becoming one of the most expensive defensive signings in Premier League history.

The previous transfer window saw Liverpool having to end their interest after reportedly ”tapping up” the player.

They ultimately signed him for a then world-record fee and has become the best centre-back in world football.

Winning the Champions League and Liverpool’s first league title in 30 years while putting in colossus performances.

Missing the whole of last season through injury saw Liverpool fall off massively. He will return for the upcoming season with Ibrahima Konate by his side.

4. Romelu Lukaku (Everton to Manchester United in 2017) – £75 million

Then Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho made a statement with the signing of Everton striker Romelu Lukaku.

Beating Chelsea to his signature in the summer of 2017 was a big coup for the club and in his first season, he contributed to 36 goals in 51 appearances.

In the 2018/2019 season, his numbers and performances dwindled under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, being played out of position ultimately saw him depart to Italy.

Inter Milan under Antonio Conte transformed Lukaku’s game, notching up 80 goal contributions in 95 games. Winning his first league title in the process.

3. Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United in 2021) – £76 million

One of the most drawn-out transfer saga’s of recent history has seen Manchester United fill in the gap they have needed to fill for many years.

Capturing one of the world’s most talented young players will make them title challengers going forward.

Leaving Manchester City under Pep Guardiola for more game time saw him leave for German outfit Borussia Dortmund in 2017.

Notching up 121 goal contributions in 146 games, all in the space of 4 years is remarkable for a 21-year-old.

His arrival in England will be one to look out for, being touted as the next Man United number 7 will be a daunting task, but given his talent and age, he will go on to do big things.

2. Harry Maguire (Leicester City to Manchester United in 2019) – £80 million

 

The much-maligned English centre-back has come under criticism for his performances since his world-record fee for a defender in the summer of 2019.

Solidly performing for Leicester, saw United gain interest, finally agreeing to their wanted £80 million fees after months of talks.

A standout for England during their European Championship campaign, the United captain is now highly respected as a competent defender.

1. Paul Pogba (Juventus to Manchester United in 2016) – £90 million

The French midfielder left Man United under Sir Alex Ferguson as a youth team player, making his name in Serie A with Juventus made him one of the best midfielders in the world at the age of 23.

United pounced at the opportunity to re-sign the midfielder with a record £90 million in fees in the summer of 2016.

Never fully performing the best to his ability in a United shirt.

Pogba has been a figure of ridicule for many outside influences, with his dancing, ghosting of games and use of social media has made him a controversial figure.

His international performances have seen him win a World Cup in 2018 and he is now reported to be leaving Manchester United after rejecting to sign a new deal.

For more news and opinions on the Premier League take a read here.

 

McIlroy & Lowry Underwhelm As Lightning Strikes

Team Ireland golfers Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry kicked off their Olympic careers when they teed-off on Thursday morning but they underwhelmed in the first round while lightning struck during their 18 holes.

McIlroy sits joint-20th after his opening round which saw the Northern Irish golfer finish two-under-par.

Lowry ended the first day just one shot behind his Team Ireland teammate on -1.

McIlroy began his day at the Kasumigaseki Country Club with two birdies in his first four shots but a bogey on the sixth hole pegged him back a little.

The 32-year-old managed two birdies and a bogey on the back nine to finish on 69, an unremarkable score considering leader Sepp Straka got a 63.

His final shots were delayed after play was stopped due to lightning but the Holywood professional was able to get back onto the course and finish his day.

The 19-time PGA Tour winner put up some impressive numbers on his drives throughout the day.

Shane Lowry had a relatively uneventful day out on the course in Saitama, posting two birdies, one bogey and parring the other holes.

A steady, if unspectacular first day from the Offalyman has him seven shots off the pace.

The highlight of Lowry’s performance was a late birdie on hole 16 to bring himself under par again after going even with a bogey a couple of shots earlier.

The equal scores of 35 on both sides of the course ensured the 2019 Champion Golfer of the Year ended his first round with a chance to chase the pack.

However, the golfer was disappointed in his first round as an Olympian and understands that the margin of error has narrowed.

The pair will return to the course tomorrow night, or in the early hours of Friday morning, whichever you prefer.

Click here to see the pair’s tee times for Round 2 of the Olympic golf tournament.

Breaking News: Irish Sailing pair on the brink of disqualification

It has been found that Team Ireland’s men’s 49er race team used an illegal harness in their last two races this morning. This could lead to disqualification from those races, effectively ending their Olympics

At 04:05, the men’s pair of Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove got good results, finishing second and sixth in race five and six. At the halfway stage they are ranked at seventh in the competition and looking good to make the medal race.

During the post race checks, it was uncovered that the harnesses used by the pair were 90g, about the weight of six digestive biscuits, overweight. The official regulations state that harnesses must weigh no more than two kilograms.

Ninety grams may not seem like a lot but Olympic sailing is held to very high standard with their specification, in the interest of fairness. Extra weight would give the sailors extra leverage with their turns, giving them an advantage.

This rule break could lead to their Irish teams last two races been disqualified. They will still be able to compete but missing two races will make it virtually impossible to make the medal race.

The Irish team will attempt to appeal the decision but it is looking unlikely that it verdict will side in their favour.

How could something like this happen?

It is said that this harness is not a new piece of equipment and that the team have used it before.

The weighing process consists of the harness being dunked in water and being left hanging on a weighing scales for a minute as the water drips off.

Team Ireland will conduct into this problem as they await the verdict of their appeal.

This looks to be a big hammer blow for the Irish pair as the Olympic sailing committee is normally very strict and concise surrounding their rules.

A decision will be made by the end of this evening with race seven and eight taking place at 04:05 tomorrow morning.

Olympic Sailing: Murphy wins Race 7 on the comeback trail

Irish sailor Annalise Murphy firmly puts last weekends poor results behind her as she wins race seven and comes second in race eight

Laser Radial Women Race 7/8

The 31-year-old has continuously improved as the Tokyo Games have progressed. She came into today’s races ranked 20th after finishing tenth and ninth in her last two races on Tuesday morning.

She showed her real class in Fujisawa in the early hours of today in tough conditions. The 44 sailors had to compete with 13 knots of wind in 28 degree heat but Murphy was unaffected.

In Race seven she earned a well-needed victory over Denmark’s Anne-Marie Rindom and Italy’s Silvia Zennaro. This boosted the Dublin women into rank 18 overall in the competition.

This result boosted her going into race eight less than an hour later. In this race she finished second behind the Danish sailor but it is still a very impressive result.

Now she is ranked at 14th overall in this competition with two races left before the medal race. This will be a nail-biting finish for Murphy as only the top 10 will qualify for the final race so another world-class performance will be needed on the final race day.

Murphy’s final two races will go ahead tomorrow morning at 04:05, 30th July.

49er Men Race 5/6

This was an amazing day of sailing for Ireland as Robert Dickinson and Sean Waddilove tried to out due Murphy in the men’s 49er event.

Yesterday morning, the pair completed race two, three, four and finished 12th, 11th and 12th. Today they stepped up their game massively.

In race five, Dickinson and Waddilove finished second behind the dominant Danish team. Slightly later on in race six, the lads finished sixth in an event won by the Brazilian team.

The Irish pair are now ranked seventh overall in a very tight event where a favourite for gold in still very uncertain.

Their next races will be tomorrow morning at 04:05 as they have a triple header of Race seven, eight and nine. The team still have to compete in six more races over the next two days before a winner will be announced.

Olympic Judo: Fletcher knocked out in Tokyo

Team Ireland’s Benjamin Fletcher took to the mat early this morning in a knockout judo match at Nippon Budokan

Fletcher faced Uzbekistan’s Mukhammadkarim Khurramov in the elimination round of 32 game. This comes after his sister Megan narrowly lost to an Austrian judoka yesterday in the women’s division.

To see a report on that close women’s judo match click the article below.

Olympic Judo: Heartbreak for Fletcher against Austria

Ireland’s 29-year-old broke his leg in two places in February but has managed to recover so he could compete at this Games. He previously came 17th in Rio 2016 competing for Team GB but has fought for Ireland since 2017.

Fletcher started the fight waiting for a time to strike, trying to read his opponent. After a minute and twenty seconds, he received a Shido penalty for non combativity.

This caused the Irish man to lower his guard and allow the Uzbekistani judoka to get a Waza-Ari just before two minutes.

Later the fight became cagey as Fletcher knew he needed a score to give him a chance. Khurramov was frustrating his Irish opponent and got a Shido penalty for a false-attack.

Time ticked away and the Uzbekistani judoka was named winner by Waza-Ari Sode-tsurikomi-goshi.

That result spells the end of Fletcher’s chances of a sought-after gold in Tokyo, joining his sister Megan in what will be a disappointing game for him. Still only at the age of 29, he has ability to reach another Olympics in Paris in three years time.

From London – Tokyo: Every Team Ireland Medal Between Last Two Golds

Team Ireland has won gold at the Olympics for the first time in nine years with Skibbereen’s Fintan McCarty and Paul O’Donovan win in the Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls event on Thursday morning.

The duo ended the drought with a consistent row to put themselves in the centre of the podium following a strong second half of the race.

Undisputed lightweight boxing champion Katie Taylor was the last Irish gold medal winner, beating Russia’s Sofya Ochigava to become the first-ever female Olympic champion at her weight class.

Since Taylor’s victory, Team Ireland had won eight medals – three silver and five bronze – but had failed to win gold until Thursday morning.

Let’s take a look at the medalists who made the country proud between the  Summer Olympics golds.

John Joe Nevin – London 2012 Silver, Boxing

John Joe Nevin won silver in the Men’s Bantamweight event in London after a 14-11 loss to now-professional Team GB fighter Luke Campbell.

The Mullingar-born two-time Olympian reached the final after beating the reigning bantamweight world champion at the time, Lázaro Álvarez of Cuba in impressive fashion.

Nevin has turned professional since earning silver at the Olympic Games and currently holds a record of 14-0.

However, he has not fought since 2019.

Paddy Barnes – London 2012 Bronze, Boxing

Belfast boxer Paddy Barnes earned his second consecutive Bronze medal at the Olympics after reaching the semi-finals of the Men’s Light Flyweight event in London 2012.

Old foe Zou Shiming defeated the Team Ireland boxer at the semi-final stage for the second time in a row after a countback saw the Irishman lose by a point (45-44).

Shiming went on to win gold once again while Barnes settled for bronze after two strong wins in the previous stages.

Barnes competed in Rio 2016 but was beaten in the Round of 16 and has had a professional career since, retiring in November after three losses in his last four fights.

Michael Conlon – London 2012 Bronze, Men’s Flyweight

Michael Conlon is the third and final boxer on this list and the fourth Irish boxer to come home with a medal in 2012.

Conlon was beaten by the eventual champion, Robeisy Ramirez of Cuba, after a close win against Frenchman Nordine Oubaali guaranteed the then 24-year-old a medal.

The bantamweight was controversially knocked out at the quarter-final stage at Rio 2016 but has since gone on to greater things, currently holding a 15-0 record in professional boxing.

The fighter is scheduled to fight T.J. Doheny at Falls Park, Belfast on Friday, August 6th.

Cian O’Connor – London 2012 Bronze, Equestrian

Cian O’Connor took home the bronze medal in London 2012 for the Individual Showjumping event.

The equestrian won the medal with his horse Blue Loyd 12 and the pair reached a silver medal jump-off after they were tied with Dutch showjumper Gerco Schroeder and his horse London.

The Irish duo racked up a four-second penalty while their opposition went flawless and O’Connor settled for bronze.

Rob Heffernan – London 2012 Bronze, Athletics

Rob Heffernan won bronze for his performance in the Men’s 50km Walk in 2012.

The Corkonian had crossed the line in fourth but was retrospectively awarded the bronze medal for the event.

The initial race winner, Russian Sergey Kirdyapkin, was disqualified almost four years after the race took place due to doping violations.

In the time since 2012, Heffernan had become a world champion with victory in Moscow in 2013.

The now 43-year-old competed in a fifth Olympic Games at Rio 2016 and finished three spots off the bronze medal in sixth.

Gary and Paul O’Donovan – Rio 2016 Silver, Rowing

One of Ireland’s latest gold medal winners, Paul O’Donovan, makes an appearance on this list alongside his brother Gary.

The pair took home silver in the same event that Paul and Fintan McCarthy won on Thursday morning in Tokyo.

The O’Donovan brothers won one World Championships after their Olympic silver in 2018.

Paul won a World Championship for the fourth year in a row alongside new partner Fintan McCarthy in 2019, having won two single sculls World Championships previously.

McCarthy and O’Donovan are now reigning Olympic champions, with Gary having been their reserve rower.

Annalise Murphy – Rio 2016 Silver, Sailing

Annalise Murphy won silver in the Women’s Laser Radial at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

The sailor won Ireland’s first Olympic medal in the sport since 1980 with her performance in the medal race.

The Dún Laoghaire club member came fourth in London 2012 and got the medal she had wanted for so long after four more years of hard work.

The 31-year-old is currently taking part in the same event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Aifric Keogh, Eimear Lambe, Fiona Murtagh and Emily Hegarty – Tokyo 2020 Bronze, Rowing

Aifric Keogh, Eimear Lambe, Fiona Murtagh and Emily Hegarty won the first medal for Team Ireland on Wednesday, July 28th with a bronze medal performance in the Women’s Coxless Fours final.

The quartet kicked off Ireland’s medal haul with their third-placed finish, rowing over the finish line after gold medal winners Australia and the Netherlands.

The four women had only been together as a crew for six months when they got their spot on the podium.

Their win doubled the number of Irish women that have won Olympic medals for the team – the number is now at 8.

Olympic Rowing: O’Donovan and McCarthy win historic gold

History was made at 01:50 as the men’s lightweight double scull pair of Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy won Ireland’s first Olympic gold medal in rowing

The famous Irish duo came into the finals as favourites after breaking the world record in the semi-final. The pressure did not effect them in the slightest as they lined up in Lane 3 at the Sea Forest Waterway.

They faced the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Belgium and Uruguay in this big race.

As the race started, Germany, known for their strong opening and Italy powered ahead. After 500m, Ireland were sitting in third almost a second and a half behind the leaders.

Before any Irish fans could start worrying, the Irish turned on their class, consistently speeding up and were only 0.66 seconds behind Germany at the halfway mark.

Germany attempted to hold their lead as the two boats jostled for top spot over a couple of hundred metres. Just before the 1500m, the Irish boys finally took the lead and they would not give it up.

Their stroke rate and strength kept increasing as they pushed through the last part of the race.

History was of officially made as O’Donovan and McCarthy crossed the finish line in a time of 6:06.43. They were followed a boat length behind by Germany and then Italy.

They took their victory with class, McCarthy clearly ecstatic and O’Donovan letting out a small smile. This seemed to be just another day at the office for the worlds best rowing partnership.

As they were presented their flowers and medals they were clearly overjoyed and Amhran na Bhfiann was heard for the first time in Tokyo 2020.

A rare Olympic gold for Team Ireland

This is now Ireland’s tenth ever gold medal at the Olympic Games and their first in rowing. This builds on Team Ireland’s medal tally after the women’s four rowing team won a bronze medal yesterday.

Commentator George Hamilton also had the pleasure of announcing his first Irish gold medal after working at 11 Olympic Games.

O’Donovan and McCarthy have a very impressive trophy cabinet with Paul already having an Olympic silver medal with his brother from five years ago but this will now be their main prize.

New Irish senior record and PB in 200m breaststroke for Mona McSharry

Mona McSharry returned to the pool for the 200m Breaststroke and set a new Irish Senior Record and a new Personal Best.

The Sligo swimmer finished 2nd in her heat and 20th overall in a time of 2:25.08.

Entering this event ranked 28th (compared to 11th for the 100m), McSharry swam a super race but her time was not quite enough to see her progress to the semi-finals.

“It felt really good,” she said afterwards. “I didn’t burn up and sometimes, you can swim a good 200m and it burns and sometimes it doesn’t so I never really know what feels like a good time – so to turn around and see a 2:25.08 and a new PB is amazing.

“This isn’t an event I am focusing on at the moment, I definitely want to in the future but to be able to just put out times like that and put together a good race is really great. And if that’s the way that ends this competition then I’m really happy with that.”

Jonathan Caldwell hoping for second 2021 European Tour win

Male and female players will share the stage at the €1,500,000 HANDA World Invitational presented by Modest! Golf Management in County Antrim this week.

The event is tri-sanctioned by the European Tour, the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour.

The great and good of the men’s and women’s game will compete for the second mixed event on the 2021 Race to Dubai. The first was June’s Scandinavian Mixed hosted by Henrik and Annika.

The victor that week in Sweden, Jonathan Caldwell, happens to be the leading home hope this week. It was the 37-year-old’s maiden title in a roller-coaster career which saw him work in a golf superstore just to keep his European Tour dreams alive.

288 players in the field

Caldwell is sure to get a hero’s welcome when he tees it up at Massereene Golf Club on day one. The 288 players – 144 men and 144 women – will each play a round at Massereene and a round at Galgorm Castle Golf Club over the opening two days, in the separate men’s and women’s 72-hole strokeplay events.

A second round cut will reduce the field for each event to 60 and ties, and then to 35 and ties after the third round, before a male winner and a female winner are decided on Sunday.

Among those joining Caldwell in the men’s field for the second event of the UK Swing are four-time European Tour winner Andy Sullivan, the most recent winner on tour Nacho Elvira and John Catlin – who won the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Galgorm last September.

The women’s field – split evenly with LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour players – is also a strong one, boasting former Major winner Georgia Hall, World Number 14 Jeongeun Lee6 and local rising star Olivia Mehaffey, among others.

Caldwell looking forward to playing at home

Looking ahead to this week’s action on home soil, Jonathan Caldwell admitted:

“It’s going to be great. I’m looking forward to seeing some familiar faces, family and friends out there throughout the week. I’m hoping I can find some form and give them something to cheer about.

“I’m more familiar with Galgorm obviously, having played quite a few events over the years there. It’s certainly playing different this year than it has in years past, a little firmer, less rough. I can see the scoring being better than it was last year at the Irish Open with the rough being so thick and playing softer and longer.”

The action in the ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by Modest! Golf Management, the 24th of 42 Race to Dubai events, gets underway on Thursday.

Richie Moloney and Rocksy Music win $137,000 Grand Prix in US

Richie Moloney and Rocksy Music won the $137,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 3* at Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort at the weekend in a time of 38.574 seconds.

USA’s Brooke Kemper and Arpeggi took the runner-up spot with third going to Mexico’s Santiago Lambre and Easy Girl.

Thirty-four riders attempted the first round, with just six qualifying for the shortened second round of the competition.

Moloney and Rocksy Music, a 2008 Irish Sport Horse gelding, have competed together for the last five years.

“I’ve had him for five years, since he was an eight-year-old, actually!” he explained enthusiastically after his win. “He’s been jumping really well lately, so I’m really happy I got this win.”

The Irishman was fifth to go in the jump-off, and he was determined to win, planning his round accordingly after watching the first pair go. “I watched Brooke [Kemper] go, so I tried to get more or less the same numbers,” he elaborated. “I did one less [stride] to the last jump. She did eight, and I did seven. It was a little bit risky, but it paid off.”

Ireland’s Simon McCarthy, riding Gotcha, finished in fourth place.