Guéhi ranks third
The football landscape is in a state of constant evolution, with a notable trend emerging where players allow their contracts to run down. This strategy empowers players during contract negotiations and can lead to significant signing bonuses if they opt for new opportunities. Kylian Mbappé serves as a prominent example of a superstar taking this route.
The French international made headlines by leaving PSG on a free transfer to join Real Madrid, marking one of the most drawn-out deals in history. Furthermore, clubs often target players who are entering the final year of their contracts, hoping to secure them for a bargain price. Manchester City capitalized on Marc Guéhi’s contract situation at Crystal Palace, signing the England international for an initial €23 million—over €30 million below his market value. Considering Guéhi’s transfer, Transfermarkt has examined the highest transfer fees recorded for players in the last six months of their contracts.
Man City’s purchase of Guéhi for an initial €23 million currently stands as the third highest fee for a player nearing the end of their contract. Should the total add-ons of €11.6 million be achieved, Guéhi will ascend to the status of the most expensive player in this category, surpassing the record previously held by Alexis Sánchez. Manchester United infamously paid Arsenal €34 million for the Chilean in 2018, which turned out to be a disastrous decision, as Sánchez scored only five goals in 45 appearances and is often labeled as one of the club’s worst signings.
The graphic above shows that Christian Eriksen ranks second, with Inter Milan having paid Tottenham €27 million for his services in 2020. Unsurprisingly, Premier League teams dominate the top ten list, with seven players acquired by English clubs, including Daniel Sturridge’s transfer from Chelsea to Liverpool. Additionally, Brahim Díaz, who recently made headlines for missing a decisive penalty for Morocco in the AFCON final, also features on this list after moving from Man City to Real Madrid for €17 million in 2019.
