THE LOWDOWN — THE FULL HISTORY
THEN AND NOW
In 2011, £38m bought Sergio Agüero for Manchester City and it was the move of the summer. In 2017, about £200m bought Neymar, still the world record nine years on.
THE SUMMER OF 2026
Chelsea paid £117m for Morgan Rogers, 23, from Aston Villa, the most expensive British player so far. He broke Elliot Anderson's £116m record, set weeks earlier. Tottenham spent £185m on two players, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes. Real Madrid agreed a fee of about £117m including add-ons for Yan Diomande, 19, from RB Leipzig, a deal still at the agreed and medical stage.
PRICED OUT
Atlético rejected a £129m Real Madrid bid for Julián Álvarez. Bayern say Michael Olise is not for sale at any price.
THE TURN
The marquee price has roughly tripled in fifteen years. £30m is the new £100m, and potential now costs more than proof. Figures are as of the open July 2026 window.
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THE TERRACES — DISCUSSION
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