THE transfer market has become so inflated that many fans struggle to comprehend the fees being paid for players.
With records for spending set to be broken again this summer, there is no sign of transfer fees shrinking in the near future.
Football Whispers have compiled a line-up of the greatest ever Premier League players and looked at what the legendary XI would be worth in the current transfer market.
GK – Peter Schmeichel
SIGNED from Brondby for just £500,000 in 1991, Schmeichel was widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world throughout his nine years at Old Trafford.
Later Premier League spells with Aston Villa and Manchester City may have come after his prime, but few would dispute the 1999 treble-winner’s status as one of the all-time greats in his position.
Schmeichel would challenge Gianluigi Buffon’s record as the most expensive goalkeeper in the world if he was on the market today.
Fee: £60million
RB – Gary Neville
ALTHOUGH a key member of United’s famous “Class of ‘92”, the older Neville sibling would himself admit that there were more talented peers breaking out of the Red Devils’ academy.
But the England international was a stalwart of the most successful era in the club’s history with eight Premier League titles to his name.
Fee: £40million
CB – John Terry
HAVING captained five Premier League-winning campaigns with Chelsea, it’s difficult to put a price on the kind of leadership Terry offers to his team.
At his best a consistent performer who was unparalleled in the air and a much better passer than he got credit for, the uncompromising centre-back had no obvious weaknesses.
A prime Terry would improve any team in Europe and his price tag would reflect that.
Fee: £60million
CB – Rio Ferdinand
AS a centre-back comfortable bringing the ball out from the back and making intelligent forward passes, Ferdinand was ahead of his time in the Premier League.
Man United paid £30million to sign him from Leeds United in 2002, a world record for a defender at the time.
The former West Ham United youngster would easily fetch double that figure in today’s market.
Fee: £60million
LB – Ashley Cole
DEPENDABLE full-backs are becoming increasingly rare in the modern game, with Manchester City seemingly struggling to find the right players to fulfil Pep Guardiola’s expectations in the position.
But full-backs don’t come any more dependable than Cole.
The former Chelsea and Arsenal star was equally effective in defence and attack, and was one of the world’s best in his position for a decade.
Fee: £55million
RM – Cristiano Ronaldo
SIGNED as a scrawny teenager for £12.24m, the talent was always there but it took a few years for Ronaldo to fulfil his potential at Old Trafford.
Once he did, however, he became an unstoppable force, plundering a phenomenal 42 goals in the 2007-08 season alone.
An £80m move to Real Madrid in 2009 set a new world record, but his achievements in Spain have since made that figure seem cheap.
A prime Ronaldo in the current transfer climate would shatter all records.
Fee: £150million
CM – Patrick Vieira
MUCH like Terry at Chelsea, former Arsenal captain Vieira was the kind of on-field leader who could drag his team through even the most trying of circumstances.
The linchpin of the Gunners’ great “Invincibles” side, the Frenchman was the total midfield package.
Arsene Wenger reportedly turned down a £30million bid from Man United for the World Cup winner in 2001; you’d have to come close to trebling that figure in today’s game.
Fee: £90million
CM – Paul Scholes
THE most technically gifted English player of his generation, the esteem Scholes is held in by the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Xavi tells you all you need to know about the man.
The metronome who set the pace for the Red Devils, the England star was also a goal threat thanks to his rocket of a right foot and ability to find space inside the box.
Fee: £90million
LM – Ryan Giggs
OVER almost a quarter of a century in the XI, Giggs underwent several evolutions to keep himself a relevant and vital influence at Old Trafford, finishing up as a central midfield conductor.
At his best, though, he was a fast and dynamic winger, capable of getting fans out of their seats by beating several players on a single mazy run.
Fee: £95million
CF – Alan Shearer
THE Premier League’s all-time highest goal-scorer with 260 goals, Shearer was the ultimate No9 during spells with Southampton, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.
His £15m move to the Magpies made him the world’s most expensive player in 1996.
The way he guarantees goals would make the former England captain a costly commodity today.
Fee: £100million
CF – Thierry Henry
HENRY was spectacular when in full flight.
With electric pace, excellent close control, razor-sharp vision and a cool head in front of goal, the Frenchman had it all.
As one of the very best players in the world during his peak, Henry would probably fetch a world-record fee if he was around today.
Fee: £110million
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