Scott Mctominay: Manchester United – Napoli, 2024 (€ 30.5 million)
Unwanted in Old Trafford, loved in Naples, is Scott McTominoy's impact on Napoli since the move on the Deadline Day last summer is downright remarkable.
The bustling midfielder set Serie A on fire from the start. He yielded his first goal of the campaign against Palermo in the Coppa Italia before he scored his first in the competition shortly thereafter.
But it was the importance of his goals that stood out. With Napoli in a title race next to Inter, he scored in the 23rd minute to earn his side a point for Christmas, a crucial draw for the final champions.
He confirmed himself in Napoli Folklore in April and scored five goals in three games, while he won his first league title as a player, while on the way he won the most valuable player prize in Series A.
He has also grown a specific love for the tomatoes of Italy – it is fair to say that both parties have won in this deal.
Rivaldo: Deportivo La Coruna – Barcelona, 1997 (€ 23.5 million)
Let's go back to 1997 for our next superstar. After he made a name for himself at Deportivo, Barca manager Bobby Robson had only one person in mind to replace Ronaldo, 'O Fenômeno', his countryman Rivaldo.
The Catalan side did not even negotiate with their Laliga rivals, in which he corresponded to his four billion Pesetas release clause – around 23.5 million euros in today's money – to take him to the Camp Nou.
He would lead his side to the Spanish Domestic Double in his first season, with skills, flair and especially of all goals.
A year later he would win the Ballon d'Or, and he spent a total of five years in Barcelona. He was the pioneer for future players of the club, who cleared the way for other South American stars such as Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi to shine in the colors of Barca.
Alessandro Nesta: Lazio – AC Milan, 2002 (€ 31 million)
One of the softest and silky defenders of the 21st century, Alessandro Nesta had already won the lot in Italy with Lazio before he came to AC Milan in 2002.
With a scudetto already under his belt, Lazio was forced to sell him to AC Milan because of serious financial problems, and he would shine at the Rossoneri.
Together with club icon Paulo Maldini and next to Cafu, Jaap Stam and Alessandro Costacurta, they would provide the basis for the team to flourish.
A Champions League crown would come in the first season because they saw Juventus in the final. He held a clean slate when the last aimless goal, before his side triumphed on penalties.
In the 2003/04 season, AC Milan conquered the Serie A-Kroon in a campaign that dominated them, seting a point record for a 34-game season with 82.
All in all, Nesta would spend a decade in Milan and make 224 performances and cement himself in the process as a club legend.
Wayne Rooney: Everton – Manchester United, 2004 (€ 37 million)
It was inevitable that Wayne Rooney would leave his Boyhood Club, Everton, for meadows as a teenager, after he had the scene on stage at the age of only 16 with a beautiful strike against Arsenal.
His move to Manchester United had a lot of hype around it, because he signed for a then Premier League record costs for players under the age of 20. But he delivered properly.
During his debut, in the Champions League against Fenerbahce, he scored a hat trick in a 6-2 victory, starting a relationship that would last 13 years. There were ups and downs, where Rooney wanted to leave the club in 2010, but he continued to stay after record and collected record.
He would surpass Bobby Charlton's goal record, while he won every trophy that is available for him, while he is with the Red Devils. His best years were perhaps besides Cristiano Ronaldo, where the couple destroyed the defense, culminating in a Champions League triumph in 2007.
And who can forget the absurd overhead shovel against bitter rivals Manchester City?
Claude Makelele: Real Madrid – Chelsea, 2003 (€ 20m)
You know that you are a very good player when you define a position again … Claude Makelele had made a name for himself at Real Madrid as a spicy defensive midfielder, who guarded the rear four with effortless ease. He was so good at his work that it became known as the 'Makelele Rol'.
His switch to a revival and cash-rich Chelsea in 2003 was greeted with a lot of fanfare, and he would become a crucial part of a side that would be top of their class in the coming years.
His first manager, Claudio Ranieri, described him as the battery of their team, but it would be under Jose Mourinho that he would show his full value by his side.
In the 2004/05 season, the blues won their very first Premier League title, with 95 points. But it was their defense that took all compliments. In that season they gave only 15 goals and only lost once when they called to the title.
At a moving moment that showed how much he meant by his side, Makelele was given the opportunity to take a penalty against Charlton Athletic in their last home game of the season.
He would miss the penalty, but was calm enough to stop the rebound home. It was the winner in a tight victory, but the parties showed how important he was.
Makelele would spend five years on Stamford Bridge before he moved to Paris Saint-Germain.