Neymar, Suarez and Ronaldinho: Barcelona's most expensive transfers

Ashraf Abdin 21:19 11/07/2015
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  • Barcelona top 10: Neymar, Marc Overmars & Zlatan Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

    Barcelona have completed their second signing of the summer in Arda Turan from Atletico Madrid, with the Turkish player not joining the Spanish giants until January 2016 because of the transfer ban imposed by FIFA.

    Barcelona consider themselves to be ‘more than a club’, and it is with this reputation that they have managed to sign some of the biggest stars in world football. Some of them have proven their worth while others failed to meet expectations.

    Here, Sport360 examines 10 of the biggest transfers in Barcelona's history.

    Neymar: €99.1m (Dhs406.1m) – From Santos, 2013

    Neymar.

    Ex-president Sandro Rosell declared that the transfer fee paid to Santos amounted to €57.1m before interim Josep Maria Bartomeu was forced to reveal the actual value of the fee, a whopping €81m. A Spanish court has since revealed documents that prove that the value of the fee is actually more like €99.1m (Dhs406.1m) and the whole incident left Barca in hot water over how they struck the deal through mediators and Neymar's father.

    Luis Suarez: €81m (Dhs331.9m) – From Liverpool, 2014

    Luis Suarez.

    The Uruguay star is the second most expensive player in Barcelona’s history after the club splashed the cash to bring in Europe's most prolific striker at the time. Sources have suggested that the deal exceeded €85m but it seems Suarez was worth the money having helped the club to Copa del Rey, La Liga and Champions League glory in his first season at the Nou Camp.

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic: €70m (Dhs286.9m) – From Inter Milan, 2009

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

    Ibrahimovic’s transfer to Barclona raised eyebrows at the time as Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o headed in the opposite direction on top of the mega fee. After a single season where he struggled to establish a place in the first-team, Ibrahimovic departed to AC Milan for a fee of €24m. Meanwhile, Eto’o won the Champions League as part of a treble with Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan.

    David Villa: €40m (Dhs163.9m) – From Valencia, 2010

    David Villa.

    Villa signed a 4-year contract at Barcelona from Valencia and went on to become an integral member of the Catalan side that were heralded as one of the greatest of all-time. Villa won numerous titles during his stay, most notably La Liga and the 2011 Champions League, scoring in the final of the latter against Manchester United.

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    Marc Overmars: €39.6m (Dhs162.3m) – From Arsenal, 2000

    Marc Overmars.

    Barcelona went all out to prise Dutch winger Overmars away from Arsenal, with whom he had won the Double in 1997-98. Despite being one of the Gunners’ star players, Overmars’ stint with Barcelona was not as successful, failing to win a single trophy with the club.

    Cesc Fabregas: €34m (Dhs139.3m) – From Arsenal, 2011

    Cesc Fabregas.

    Fabregas moved back home after spending eight years in North London and returned to Spain as one of the best midfielders in the world. Fabregas spent three years at Barcelona after winning six titles before moving to Chelsea in 2014 for a fee of €36m.

    Arda Turan: €34m (Dhs139.3m) – From Atletico, 2015

    Arda Turan.

    Barcelona this week announced the signing of Turan from Atletico Madrid for a fee of €34m, plus 7m in add-ons depending on the player’s performances. His relative status compared to some of the other names on the list and that he is 28-years-old, Turan's fee is steep but his performances in La Liga make him an attractive player to have around the Camp Nou squad.

    Dani Alves: €29.5m (Dhs120.9m) – From Sevilla, 2008

    Dani Alves.

    Alves is considered one of the most important Barcelona signings of the past decade and has played a vital role in their three Champions League triumphs since his arrival. The Brazilian’s presence is felt whenever he takes to the pitch, making the 35m including add-ons that Barca paid well worthwhile. He almost left on a free transfer earlier this summer but decided to stay on, signing a new deal.

    Ronaldinho: €27m (Dhs110.6m) – From PSG, 2003

    Rondaldinho.

    The Brazilian was in huge demand at PSG, with Real Madrid and Manchester United keen on his services but it was Barcelona who eventually managed to snare him. Ronaldinho was twice named World Player of the Year while at Barca and won the 2005 Champions League during his enigmatic spell in Spain.

    Alexis Sanchez: 26m (Dhs106.6m) – From Udinese, 2011

    Alexis Sanchez.

    Many an eyebrow was raised when fans heard of the Chilean’s price but Barcelona managed to get the deal through, paying €37m in total with add-ons. The Catalan club managed to profit from his transfer to Arsenal three years later, receiving €42.5m from the Gunners.

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