The 10 biggest and most expensive football flops in history

 

Football clubs often spend big on star players, chasing instant success. Yet, not every high-profile signing delivers. Some of the priciest transfers in history have become infamous flops, marked by unmet expectations, lackluster performances, or sheer bad luck. These players arrived with huge price tags and even bigger hype but fell short due to injuries, poor form, or failure to adapt. Below is a list of the 10 biggest and costliest football transfer flops, based on exorbitant fees and underwhelming results.

1. Neymar Jr. (€222m, Barcelona to PSG, 2017)

Signed for a world-record €222 million to lead PSG to Champions League glory, Neymar failed to deliver the coveted title. His time at PSG was marred by injuries, off-field controversies, and inconsistent performances. His subsequent €90m move to Al-Hilal in 2023 was also a disappointment, as injuries limited him to minimal appearances.

Despite domestic success in Ligue 1, Neymar’s inability to shine in Europe and his injury-plagued stint in Saudi Arabia mark him as a high-profile flop relative to his astronomical fees.

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2. Philippe Coutinho (€135m, Liverpool to Barcelona, 2018)

Barcelona paid up to €135 million (including add-ons) to replace Neymar, but Coutinho struggled to adapt to La Liga. Injuries and poor form led to just 25 goals in 106 appearances, far below expectations. A loan to Bayern Munich and a permanent move to Aston Villa followed, with Barcelona taking a significant financial loss.

Coutinho’s transfer is one of the most expensive failures, as he never won over fans or justified his price tag at Camp Nou.

3. Ousmane Dembélé (€105m rising to €145m, Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona, 2017)

Signed as another Neymar replacement, Dembélé’s €105 million transfer (with add-ons) was plagued by injuries, missing 85 games between 2017 and 2021. Reports of disciplinary issues, like skipping training, further tarnished his reputation. Despite flashes of brilliance, his output was inconsistent for the price.

Barcelona’s financial struggles amplified the scrutiny on Dembélé’s signing, marking it as a prime example of reckless spending.

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4. Paul Pogba (€105m, Juventus to Manchester United, 2016)

Pogba’s return to Manchester United for a then-world-record €105 million promised midfield dominance, but his inconsistent performances and lack of fit in Jose Mourinho’s system disappointed fans. He showed flashes of brilliance but often failed to deliver consistently, eventually leaving on a free transfer in 2022.

Pogba’s transfer divided fans, with his high wages and off-field persona overshadowing his on-pitch contributions.

5. Eden Hazard (€100m, Chelsea to Real Madrid, 2019)

After a stellar career at Chelsea, Hazard’s €100 million move to Real Madrid was a disaster. Injuries and fitness issues limited him to 76 appearances and 7 goals over four seasons. His lack of impact and perceived lack of professionalism led to his contract termination in 2023.

Hazard’s decline from a world-class winger to a bench player at Madrid is one of football’s most dramatic transfer failures.

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6. Antoine Griezmann (€120m, Atlético Madrid to Barcelona, 2019)

Griezmann’s €120 million transfer yielded underwhelming results, with only 35 goals in 102 appearances. He failed to earn La Liga Player of the Month or Team of the Season honors, and his return to Atlético on loan in 2021 (with a €40m buy option) saw Barcelona lose €80 million.

Griezmann’s lack of impact at Barcelona highlighted their pattern of poor big-money signings post-Neymar.

7. João Félix (€126m, Benfica to Atlético Madrid, 2019)

Signed as a teenage prodigy for €126 million, Félix struggled to adapt to Diego Simeone’s defensive system, scoring inconsistently and failing to justify his price. Multiple loans, including to Chelsea and Barcelona, culminated in a permanent move to Chelsea in 2025, with Atlético recouping far less.

Félix’s stalled development and inability to shine at Atlético make him one of the most expensive teenage flops.

8. Romelu Lukaku (€97.5m, Inter Milan to Chelsea, 2021)

Chelsea’s €97.5 million signing of Lukaku aimed to restore their attack, but he managed just 8 Premier League goals in his first season back. Public discontent and a fallout with manager Thomas Tuchel led to a loan return to Inter, with subsequent moves to Roma and Napoli.

Lukaku’s second Chelsea stint was a costly misstep, with his transfer fee dwarfing his on-field contributions.

9. Kepa Arrizabalaga (€80m, Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea, 2018)

Chelsea paid €80 million to make Kepa the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, but his error-prone performances and loss of the starting spot to Edouard Mendy exposed his limitations. His refusal to be substituted in the 2019 Carabao Cup final and poor penalty shootout showing in 2022 cemented his flop status.

Kepa’s inconsistent form and high cost make him a cautionary tale for goalkeeper transfers.

10. Antony (€95m, Ajax to Manchester United, 2022)

Signed for €95 million to reunite with manager Erik ten Hag, Antony’s output of 11 goals in 83 Premier League appearances fell far short of expectations. His lack of end product and limited starting role in recent seasons have drawn heavy criticism.

Antony’s underwhelming performances have made him a symbol of Manchester United’s recent transfer market struggles.