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With Elliot Anderson close to completing his move to Manchester City, he is poised to become only the 13th player in football history to command a transfer fee exceeding £100 million.

Anderson is set to join the Premier League champions from Nottingham Forest, placing him among the most expensive players ever.

However, as football history shows, huge transfer fees do not always equate to great success. Here’s a detailed look at the 12 players who cost £100 million or more (excluding add-ons) and how their big-money moves turned out:

Eden Hazard thrived at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea fans adored his flair and creativity. But his move to Real Madrid never truly clicked. The Spanish giants’ serious, results-driven environment did not suit his mercurial personality, and his time in La Liga ended in disappointment.

Atletico Madrid, often viewed as the more financially conservative club compared to Barcelona and Real Madrid, made a rare high-spending move when they signed Joao Felix from Porto for £113 million in the summer of 2019. The 19-year-old was seen as the heir to Antoine Griezmann, but he never reached the same heights. Scoring just 34 goals in 131 appearances before moving on to clubs like Chelsea and Barcelona, Felix now finds himself in Saudi Arabia at 26 — a career that promised much more.

During his time at Anfield, Philippe Coutinho was one of the best attacking midfielders in the world. So when Barcelona came calling, few were surprised. After failing to sign him the previous summer, Barcelona finally secured his signature in January 2018 for £105 million. A thigh injury delayed his debut, and though he ended his first season with a La Liga title, he managed just seven goals in 18 league games. The following season was even less productive, with only five goals in 34 games. Loaned out to Bayern Munich in 2019, he famously scored against his parent club as Bayern lifted the Champions League. Returning briefly to Barcelona under Ronald Koeman, Coutinho moved to Aston Villa in January 2022 — initially on loan, then permanently for £17 million, an £88 million loss for Barcelona.

When Antoine Griezmann joined Barcelona, the biggest obstacle to success was Lionel Messi. Having starred at Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid, Griezmann was among the best attackers in the world but angered Barcelona fans with his TV special ‘The Decision’, where he initially announced he would stay at Atletico. A year later, he made the move — only to find himself competing with Messi for the same on-field spaces. While his time at Barcelona wasn’t catastrophic, he eventually returned to Atletico in 2021, humbled.

Florian Wirtz’s Liverpool career is still difficult to judge. His first season at Anfield was disrupted by inconsistent form and unsettled conditions. For a player of his talent and price tag, however, sporadic performances aren’t enough. He showed flashes of quality during the winter months but struggled overall, leaving doubts about his ability to adapt to the Premier League.

Alexander Isak ranks slightly higher due to his proven Premier League experience, though injuries marred his first campaign with Liverpool. Scoring only three league goals before being sidelined before Christmas was a poor return. He must improve significantly, as his overall contribution isn’t enough to compensate for a low strike rate.

Jack Grealish’s Manchester City career has so far struggled to justify his massive fee since his move in 2021. At Aston Villa, he was one of the league’s most creative players, but at City, the freedom he once enjoyed was curtailed. Pep Guardiola demanded more tactical discipline, and though Grealish played an important role in City’s treble-winning season, his individual impact has often been limited.

Enzo Fernandez remains a player under evaluation. The World Cup winner arrived from Benfica for a huge fee but hasn’t yet lived up to expectations. Nevertheless, he has become an important creative presence for Chelsea, scoring key goals and showing glimpses of his potential. Still, fans believe there’s more to come, given the investment the club made in him.

Neymar’s transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 changed football economics forever. His £200 million release clause, previously thought untouchable, was activated by PSG — shocking the football world. Seeking to step out of Messi’s shadow, Neymar moved to Paris and helped redefine transfer market standards. His spell brought five league titles and 118 goals in 173 appearances, but he was signed for one clear purpose: to win the Champions League. Despite reaching the final in 2020, he left PSG before that dream was realised.

Moises Caicedo’s Chelsea career began disastrously, with a late penalty conceded on debut. Yet, he quickly established himself as one of the team’s most vital players. Having turned down Liverpool for a £100 million move to Stamford Bridge, he featured in every league game last season. His adaptability has impressed manager Enzo Maresca, even filling in at right back. At just 23, Caicedo looks set for a bright future.

For PSG, letting France’s brightest star leave was unthinkable. Kylian Mbappe burst onto the scene with Monaco, prompting PSG to spend £165.7 million to sign him as a teenager. Over the years, he developed into one of the world’s elite players, scoring 256 goals in 308 appearances, winning seven league titles, and being named Ligue 1 Player of the Season five times. Yet, like Neymar, he couldn’t deliver the Champions League trophy. Despite earning £1 million per week under his 2022 contract extension, he eventually left for Real Madrid. Ironically, PSG won the Champions League in the season after his departure.

Declan Rice’s £105 million transfer to Arsenal might sound excessive, but he has proven every rupee’s worth. Since arriving at the Emirates, Rice has established himself as one of the world’s finest midfielders, leading Arsenal to the 2026 Premier League title. His two stunning free-kicks against Real Madrid remain unforgettable moments. Meanwhile, his former club West Ham failed to reinvest wisely and have since been relegated to the Championship.