Take stock of those very cost-effective player transactions in the world football world

In the transfer market of world football, some transactions seem dull when they happen, but afterwards it is proven to be a magical operation of "turning stones into gold". These trades either rely on scouts’ abilities, coaches’ abilities, or purely historical luck, and eventually become classic cases that rewrite the fate of the club. The following are some of the most recognized "blood-making" player transactions:

1. Cantona → Manchester United (1992)

Transfer fee: 1.2 million pounds (at that time, the Leeds United sold record)

Background: Leeds United just won the championship but sold the "bad boy" due to financial pressure, and Ferguson took action against the crowd.

Why make a fortune:

Founder of the Red Devils: Cantona's leadership temperament and skills completely activate Manchester United, led the "92 class" to win the Premier League championship in 4 (4 championships in 5 years), and laid the foundation for the hegemony of the Ferguson era.

The cost-effectiveness is amazing: 1.2 million yuan is exchanged for the club's historical totem, and Manchester United still calls him the "King".

The opponent's pain: Leeds United only won 17th place the following year, opening the prelude to decline.

2. Kaka → AC Milan (2003)

Transfer fee: 8.5 million euros (installment payment, down payment is only 2.2 million yuan)

Background: The new star of São Paulo was selected by Milan's scouts, and Real Madrid missed due to non-EU quota restrictions.

Why make a fortune:

Mr. Golden Balls Cultivation: Kaka grew up to be the world's number one person in Milan. In 2007, he won the Golden Ball Award + World Footballer and led the team to win the Champions League + Club World Cup.

Commercial money printing machine: jersey sales are booming, and global influence promotes Milan's brand value.

Replacement profit: In 2009, it sold it to Real Madrid for 65 million euros, with a net profit of over 50 million.

3. Henry → Arsenal (1999)

Transfer fee: 11 million pounds (Juventus gave up in just half a year)

Background: Wenger transformed Henry, who failed to play as a winger, into a center, activates his killer instinct.

Why make a fortune:

The birth of the King of Highbury: Henry became the team's scorer king (228 goals), won the Premier League Golden Boot 2, led the team to 49 unbeaten games, and the best player of the season for 4 times.

Style Revolution: He defined Arsenal's gorgeous offensive aesthetics, with an influence far exceeding the stadium.

Cost recovery: After seven years of peak, his net worth was still 24 million euros when he transferred to Barcelona in 2007.

4. Robben → Bayern Munich (2009)

Transfer fee: 25 million euros (Real Madrid cleans the "Glass Man")

Background: Real Madrid frequently gave up Robben due to injuries, and Bayern took the risk of taking over.

Why make a fortune:

The core of the "Robery" dynasty: He formed the strongest wings in history with Ribery, led the team to win the Bundesliga in 2013 with the treble + 6, and won the Bundesliga in the Champions League final.

Injury Management Miracle: Only 30% of the games were missed in Bayern for 10 years, and almost all attendance in the key battles.

The King of Cost-Performance: 25 million was exchanged for the team history legend, and he was still the club ambassador after retirement.

5. Van Dijk → Liverpool (2018)

Transfer fee: 75 million pounds (breaking the defender's transfer record)

Background: Liverpool was ridiculed as "buying defender at a sky-high price", and Klopp insisted on selling it.

Why make a lot of money:

Quality of defense: Van Dijk lost 1.2 goals per game before joining, 0.6 goals after joining, 2019 Premier League Golden Boot + Champions League champion, and won the Silver Ball Award.

Leader Value: His command ability has fully upgraded teammates such as Alisson and Arnold.

Break doubts: 75 million has become a "bad price" in the inflation market, and Real Madrid now needs to buy him 150 million.

6. Kanter → Leicester City (2015)

Transfer fee: 9 million euros (Ligue 2 Caen)

Background: Ranieri is interested in his coverage ability, but no one expected that he would become the "new Marclayle".

Why make a fortune:

Blue Fox Miracle Engine: The core of the Premier League championship in 2016, steals king + best player of the season.

Price has soared: Chelsea spent 32 million pounds to grab the crowd one year later, and Leicester made a net profit of 23 million.

Football Law: "There is no hurdle that cannot be overcome, only Kante that cannot be overcome" has become a classic meme.

7. Messi → Barcelona (2000 Youth Training Contract)

Transfer Fee: Free (only paying hormone treatment fees)

Background: Rexac used a napkin contract to lock 13-year-old Messi and bear the cost of his growth hormone.

Why make a fortune:

No. 1 player in history: Barcelona won the best player in team history, 672 goals in 778 games, and won 10 La Liga + 4 Champions League + 7 Golden Ball Awards.

Business Value: The brand value of Barcelona in Messi Times has increased by 10 times, and jersey sales account for 15% of the world.

0 Cost Miracle: The greatest "scratch lottery" case in football history, no one.

8. Mane → Liverpool (2016)

Transfer fee: 34 million pounds (Southampton)

Background: Klopp convinced the management to grab the players at a premium, and Mane scored a double-digit goal in the Premier League in just one season.

Why make a fortune:

The core of the three Red Arrows: They form the most terrifying front line in Europe with Salah and Firmino, 2019 Champions League champion + 2020 Premier League champion.

Mr. Key: Scored many goals in the finals (such as the 2019 Community Shield's defeat of Chelsea).

Replacement profit: Although I left the team for free in 2022, my contribution in 6 years far exceeded the cost.

9. Pirlo → Juventus (2011)

Transfer Fee: Free (AC Milan determines that he is "old")

Background: Milan lets Pirlo away 32-year-old, and Juventus decisively signed.

Why make a fortune:

Bonestone of the revival of the old woman: Pirlo led the team to win four consecutive Serie A, reached the Champions League final in 2015, and won the best player in Serie A in three individuals.

Tactical Revolution: His organizational ability allows midfielders such as Pogba and Vidal to evolve in full.

Humiliation of the opponent: Milan lost his brain and fell into a dynasty of nine consecutive championships.

10. Shinji Kagawa → Dortmund (2010)

Transfer fee: 350,000 euros (Sakura, Osaka, Japan)

Background: Klopp bets that Japanese stars can adapt to the rhythm of the Bundesliga.

Why make a lot of money:

Two championship cores: 2011 and 2012 Bundesliga champion + double player of the season, 12 goals and 13 assists in the Bundesliga debut season.

Sky-high resale: In 2012, Manchester United spent 16 million pounds to buy, and Dortmund made a net profit of 50 times in two years!

Asian market key: His success opened up the Japanese commercial market for Dortmund, with annual revenue exceeding 10 million euros.

Common password for "blood-making" transactions:

The scout's eye-catching eyes (Milan digs Kaka, Dortmund signs Kagawa)

The coach turns stones into gold (Wenger transforms Henry, Klopp activates Mane)

Dare to take over "risk assets" (Bayern bet on Robben, Liverpool smashes Van Dijk)

Youth training lottery first prize (Barcelona signs Messi)

The sign-free veteran continues to his peak (Juventus picks up Pirlo)

These transactions prove that the most expensive thing in the world of football is not money, but the wisdom to discover value. As Arsenal legendary coach Chapman said: "If you think a player is worth buying, pay 10% more - because you will be glad you did it in five years."