Mo' Money, Mo' Problems?

Written by: Kevin McGarr, The Reserve Clause

The summer transfer window is full of so many rumors and blanketed by more speculation than one person should endure for one year, that it is borderline impossible to keep track of who's moving where.  Unless you have Sky Sports' “Transfer Centre” constantly refreshing on your computer, you're bound to miss a move that may or may not impact your club for the 2011-2012 season.  Let's cut all the bollocks and talk about the top 10 most expensive transfers in football.  Read on, son!

Mo' Money Doesn't Always Mean Mo' Problems

When money isn't a problem certainly you'd become an avid yacht collector and have a private army of 40 people.  So why not forget a sixth yacht or an eighth vacation home in the Maldives and just buy one player for the same price?  Wait, what do you mean you're not Roman Abramovich?  Are you telling me that you haven't amassed a personal wealth in the billions?  Well don't worry, I don't have the money either.  Here's a look at the 10 most expensive transfers in the history of football. 

10.  Gianluigi Buffon (Parma to Juventus) — €32.6m

Pelé called this man one of the greatest living footballers in the world.  I mean, I don't really need to elaborate after that, but I digress.  Buffon won the 2006 FIFA World Cup with Italy, has been named Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year eight times, made the UEFA Team of the Year three times, and was named to the FIFPro World XI twice. 

9.      David Villa (Valencia to Barcelona) — €34.2m

Has one the Spanish Player of the Year award, named to Euro 2008's Team of the Tournament, Euro 2008 Golden Boot winner, 2010 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team, 2010 FIFA World Cup champion, Euro 2008 champion.  258 goals in 505 appearances for his club, 47 goals in 75 appearances for Spain.

8.      Andy Carroll (Newcastle to Liverpool) — £35m

Was bought as a quick replacement after Fernando Torres was sold to Chelsea.  He scored 31 goals in 80 appearances for the Magpies.  Probably would like the lad better if it wasn't for his run-ins with the law.  He's been arrested three times, and gotten charges dropped a number of other times.  Good luck, Liverpool.

7.      Hernán Crespo (Parma to Lazio) — €35.5m

The first jersey I ever got was an Hernán Crespo jersey when he was still at Parma.  I still have it to this day. 273 goals in 604 appearances for a myriad of teams spanning Italy, Argentina, and England. 

6.      Luis Figo (Barcelona to Real Madrid) — €37m

Figo is a legend.  2000 European Footballer of the Year, 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year, and was named to the FIFA 100 (A list compiled by Pelé for the greatest living footballers). Figo won one Portuguese Cup, four La Liga titles, two Spanish Cups, three Spanish Super Cups, the Champions League, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, two UEFA Super Cups, one Intercontinental Cup, four Serie A titles, one Italian Cup, and three Italian Super Cups.  Need I say more?

5.      Zinedine Zidane (Juventus to Real Madrid) — €45.6m

For anyone who only watches the FIFA World Cup, Zizou is the guy who headed Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup.  But in reality, Zizou is a master with the ball.  1998 FIFA World Cup champion, Euro 2000 champion, 2006 World Cup Golden Ball winner.  Won a La Liga, two Serie A titles, an Intercontinental Cup, UEFA Super Cup.  He's a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, and won the Ballon d'Or in 1998.

4.      Fernando Torres (Liverpool to Chelsea) — £50m

Torres shocked Anfield when he was sold to Chelsea for a price that may have been more than     he's worth.  It took him over two months to find the back of the net in a Chelsea shirt, but he   won the 2010 FIFA World Cup. 

3.      Kaká (AC Milan to Real Madrid) — €56m

140 goals in 404 appearances, 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year, 2006-07 UEFA Club Footballer of the Year.  I could go on and on, but the list would never end.

2.      Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Internazionale to Barcelona) — €60.7m

The big Swede made the big jump to the Spanish giants, but only appeared in 29 matches over the course of two years.  He has since joined AC Milan after a loan spell last year.  He was named to the 2007 and 2009 UEFA Team of the Year. 

1.      Christiano Ronaldo (Manchester United to Real Madrid) — €80m

Five time UEFA Team of the Year, FIFA World Player of the Year in 2008, 2008 Ballon d'Or winner, Premier League Team of the Year four times, etc. You get it, he's good.  He's the player everybody loves to hate, and every girl drools over him.  He's scored 209 goals in 412 appearances and 26 goals in 80 appearances for Portugal.