Hit or Miss? The Truth About Every €100m+ Football Transfer
Spending over €100 million on a single player used to be unthinkable — now, it’s a headline we see almost every summer. But are these blockbuster deals actually worth the price? From record-breaking flops to generational game-changers, the €100m club is filled with drama, pressure, and mixed results.
With Florian Wirtz set to become the latest member after his €136m move to Liverpool, it’s the perfect time to look back and judge: which of these mega transfers delivered greatness… and which fell flat? Here's every €100m+ transfer in football history — rated Hit, Miss, or Jury Still Out.
Gareth Bale – €101m – HIT
Though his time at Real Madrid ended in controversy, Gareth Bale won five Champions League titles and scored in two finals. His stunning overhead kick in 2018 alone justifies the fee. Injuries and off-pitch issues may have tarnished his legacy, but the trophies speak for themselves.
Paul Pogba – €105m – MISS
Pogba returned to Manchester United as a superstar, but injuries, inconsistency, and a lack of discipline defined his second spell. Aside from a few flashes of brilliance, the move never truly delivered. By the end, both player and club looked ready to part ways.
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Neymar – €222m – MISS
The most expensive transfer ever brought glamour to PSG, but not the Champions League title or Ballon d'Or Neymar dreamed of. Despite strong numbers, injuries and off-field distractions held him back. In the end, expectations far exceeded the reality.
Ousmane Dembélé – €135m – MISS
Barcelona signed Dembélé to replace Neymar, but poor attitude, fitness issues, and inconsistency defined his time at the club. While he has since found form at PSG, his time at Camp Nou was widely viewed as disappointing. A gamble that didn’t pay off.
Kylian Mbappé – €180m – HIT
Mbappé lit up Ligue 1 and the Champions League with PSG, becoming their all-time top scorer. His off-field drama may have frustrated fans, but his numbers are undeniable. Even without a UCL title in Paris, he delivered on the pitch year after year.
Philippe Coutinho – €135m – MISS
A superstar at Liverpool, Coutinho never came close to replicating that form at Barcelona. His loan to Bayern was a rare highlight, ironically helping knock Barça out of the Champions League. A massive fee for a move that quickly collapsed.
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Cristiano Ronaldo – €117m – HIT
Juventus never got their coveted Champions League, but Ronaldo delivered goals, titles, and global attention. Averaging nearly a goal a game in Serie A, he was a consistent performer. Commercially and competitively, the move made solid sense.
Eden Hazard – €115m – MISS
Hazard arrived at Real Madrid out of shape and never found his rhythm. Injuries limited him to just 76 appearances in four years, with little output. He quietly retired at 32 — a sad end for a once-dazzling talent.
Antoine Griezmann – €120m – MISS
Griezmann’s long-awaited move to Barcelona never lived up to the hype. He was solid but not spectacular, and never justified the fee. Eventually loaned and sold back to Atlético Madrid, his Barça stint was largely forgettable.
João Félix – €127m – MISS
A poor tactical fit for Diego Simeone’s system, Félix never settled at Atlético Madrid. Multiple loan spells followed, including underwhelming stints at Chelsea and Barcelona. At this point, the project feels like a complete misfire.
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Romelu Lukaku – €113m – MISS
Lukaku returned to Chelsea with high expectations, but struggled with form, injuries, and PR missteps. After criticizing the club publicly, his days were numbered. He’s since moved on, but Chelsea never recouped value from the deal.
Jack Grealish – €117.5m – MISS
Despite winning the treble with Manchester City, Grealish has failed to become a regular starter. His creativity has faded under Pep Guardiola’s system, and he’s now fallen out of favor. At 29, his prime years seem wasted.
Enzo Fernández – €125m – JURY STILL OUT
Chelsea paid big for the World Cup-winning midfielder, and it took time for him to adapt. But under Maresca, he has shown real promise with 22 goal involvements last season. Still, he’ll need to maintain consistency to justify the investment.
Jude Bellingham – €103m – HIT
Bellingham made an instant impact at Real Madrid, scoring 23 goals in his debut season and helping the club win a La Liga–Champions League double. Even after moving to a deeper role, he remained their most reliable performer. A born Galáctico.
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Declan Rice – €123m – HIT
Rice has transformed Arsenal’s midfield under Mikel Arteta, combining defensive grit with attacking flair. His iconic free kicks against Real Madrid sealed his cult status. While silverware is still missing, his influence is undeniable.
Harry Kane – €100m – HIT
Kane finally broke his trophy curse in his second season at Bayern, after scoring prolifically in both years. As Bundesliga top scorer twice and a new team leader, he’s proving to be Robert Lewandowski’s true successor.
Moisés Caicedo – €135m – HIT
After a shaky start at Chelsea, Caicedo flourished under Enzo Maresca. With elite stats in passing and ball-winning, he became the club’s Player of the Year. His redemption arc is complete — and now the fee looks justified.
Florian Wirtz – €136m – TBD
Set to become Liverpool’s record signing, Wirtz joins with massive expectations after starring for Bayer Leverkusen. With other giants chasing him, he chose Anfield — but time will tell if he thrives under the Premier League spotlight. The pressure will be immense.
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