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Neymar, Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku are among the 9 star players who failed to live up to the billing after clubs invested millions in their transfers.
Football is undeniably one of the most expensive sport in the world and most clubs has often invested heavily in star players with the hope of achieving instant success.
However, some transfers did not turn out as expected and ended up yielding different results. Such could be brought about by injuries, tactical mismatches, and off-field issues.
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In this article, Pulse Sports Kenya looks at some of the most expensive football transfers that failed to work out from Neymar to Paul Pogba among other top football players.
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1) Neymar
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Neymar’s move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 remains one of the most expensive transfers, which cost about €222 million. The Brazilian forward was expected to elevate PSG's status in European football and lead them to Champions League glory.
However, injury struggles became the order of the day for Neymar who failed to show up for crucial matches, especially in the Champions League knockout stages. PSG would eventually fail to secure the coveted Champions League title during Neymar's stint.
At the time, Neymar also made headlines for other reasons beyond his football career including transfer speculations, disciplinary issues, and lifestyle choices that might have distracted him from performing.
While Neymar showcased his talent in Ligue 1, the primary objective of European dominance remained unfulfilled.
2) Philippe Coutinho
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Philippe Coutinho moved from Liverpool to Barcelona in 2018 for €160 million and his move was expected to be a game-changer. He went there to succeed Andrés Iniesta but things did not go as planned.
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Coutinho endured a hard time trying to adapt to Barcelona's playing style and was unable to replicate his Premier League form.
Following his underwhelming performances, he was loaned to Bayern Munich, where he notably scored twice against Barcelona and was eventually sold to Aston Villa for a significantly reduced fee. Coutinho's transfer became emblematic of Barcelona's misadventures in the transfer market.
3) Eden Hazard
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Eden Hazard transferred from Chelsea to Real Madrid for €100 million in 2019 and it was anticipated that he would fill the void that had been left by one of the greatest footballers of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, his stint at Real Madrid was not as successful since he struggled with his fitness due to injuries. The huge setback diluted his influence on the pitch.
Eden Hazard struggled to make a significant impact and only scored a handful of goals and failed to live up to his hefty transfer fee. There is no doubt that Hazard’s transfer is often cited as one of Real Madrid's most disappointing.
4) Ousmane Dembélé
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In 2017, Barcelona signed Ousmane Dembélé from Borussia Dortmund for €105 million intending to replace Neymar. Just like other players, Dembélé struggled with injuries and limited his playing time.
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He found it difficult to maintain his form and often frustrated fans with his performance. Despite his few moments of brilliance, Dembélé did not tap into his full potential.
5) Antoine Griezmann
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Antoine Griezmann moved from Atlético Madrid and signed with Barcelona in 2019 for €120 million. He was expected to work with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez.
However, Griezmann often found himself deployed in roles that didn't suit his strengths and led to his underwhelming performances. His stint at Barcelona is often viewed as a misstep, both financially and strategically.
6) João Félix
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Atlético Madrid invested €126 million in João Félix in 2019 but he massively struggled to adapt to their tactical setup.
He struggled to showcase his creative abilities within a rigid system and his subsequent loan spells were also a clear indication that he had not met the club’s expectations.
Félix's transfer serves as warning to clubs about the risks of placing immense pressure on young talents with the hefty price tags.
7) Romelu Lukaku
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Chelsea made history in 2021 after signing Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan for £97.5 million. The Blues had the expectation that he would be their dominant goal-scorer.
However, it quickly turned into a disastrous signing as he clashed with Chelsea’s then coach, Thomas Tuchel. There was a public interview where Lukaku also publicly expressed his desire to return to Inter Milan.
Romelu Lukaku was then loaned out in less than a year, first to Inter Milan then to Roma. Chelsea wasted nearly £100 million on a player who never settled with his public fallout with the club made things even worse.
8) Nicolas Pépé
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Arsenal paid £72 million on Nicolas Pépé, making him their record signing, with expectations of him becoming one of the Premier League’s best wingers.
He would later struggle with consistency and when Bukayo Saka came, he completely took his place after outperforming him. He would be sold for free in 2023.
9) Paul Pogba
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Paul Pogba’s mover from Juventus to Manchester United for £89 million in 2016 broke the world record for the Red Devils.
Manchester United had expectations that he would be a deadly midfielder but his return was full of drama. Paul Pogba would showcase some aspects of his brilliance but he never fully dominated.
Injury woes also played a role in his struggles at the club and he left Manchester United for free and returned to Juventus in 2022.
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