6 Football Stars Who Were Acquired at Incredibly Cheap Prices Including Zidane, Kante

• Erling Haaland’s transfer to Manchester City for just 51 million euros is considered a big bargain considering how immensely talented the Norwegian striker is
• Peter Schmeichel, Nicolas Anelka and Zinedine Zidane are other players who were bought at modest prices and rose to become one of the greatest names in history
• Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante was relatively unknown in 2016 having been bought for 5 million euros by Leicester City. Six years later, he is one of the best midfielders to ever grace the game

Erling Haaland’s imminent move to Manchester City is set to be one of the highlights of the upcoming transfer window.

The fact that Pep Guardiola got his man for 51 million euros is bound to be one of the biggest coups ever.

Haaland is currently among the leading strikers in world football. He is expected to thrive under Guardiola who has been desperate to get a new striker after the exit of Sergio Aguero last summer. But aside from Haaland, what other transfers have been considered cheap but clever acquisitions?

Marcus Rashford emerges as a surprise target for Manchester United’s arch rivals Arsenal

Football

1. Azpilicueta to Chelsea

Chelsea bought Cesar Azpilicueta for 7 million euros in 2012. Azpilicueta has grown to become the Chelsea captain and a legend when he leaves. The Spanish defender has helped Chelsea to win four European titles and two Premier League titles among others.

2. N'golo Kante to Leicester City

Leicester City benefitted heavily after signing N’Golo Kante from Caen for just 5 million euros. Kante has established himself as one of the best midfielders that the game has ever seen. He was part of the historic Premier League triumph in 2016. Afterwards, he was traded to Chelsea where he won the Premier League again in his first season in London.

3. Peter Schmeichel to Manchester United

The Daily Star reports that Alex Ferguson labelled Peter Schmeichel as the ‘bargain of the century.’ Manchester United acquired the legendary shot-stopper for just 505,000 euros from Brondby. He built his reputation at the Theatre of Dreams and retired as one of the best ever Premier League goalkeepers.

Ansu Fati given rapturous welcome by Barcelona fans at Camp Nou on his return from injury

Football

4. Frenkie de Jong to Ajax

Did you know that Frenkie De Jong was at one time bought for just 1 million euros?

Ajax signed the young De Jong in 2015 from Willem at that paltry fee hoping to develop him into a future star. And develop him they did. Ajax made a huge profit in 2019 when they sold the Netherland international to Barcelona for 65 million euros.

5. Nicolas Anelka to Arsenal

Nicolas Anelka was a very controversial but prolific striker during his days. Arsenal was the one club that hugely benefitted from both his talent and transfer fee. Anelka was roped in from Paris Saint Germain for just 500,000 euros. The Gunners, later on, sold him for 22 million euros to Real Madrid.

6. Zinedine Zidane to Juventus

Also making the list is Zinedine Zidane who Juventus bought for a fee of approximately three million euros from Bordeaux in 1996. Zidane won a total of six trophies in Italy before leaving for Real Madrid. It was during his stay in Turin that he won the Ballon d’Or in 1998.

Arsenal reignite interest in Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez as search for striker intensifies

Football

Wealthiest club owners

Earlier, Sports Brief had also reported on the wealthiest owners in club football. Chelsea’s new owner Todd Boehly is set to be the sixth-richest club owner.

The Public Investment Fund that owns Newcastle remains the wealthiest owner with a net worth of 320 billion pounds.

Paris Saint Germain’s Qatar Investment Authority and Sheikh Mansour of Manchester City complete the top three. A surprise inclusion in the top ten is Wolverhampton Wanderers owner Guo Guangchang who is worth 5.2 billion pounds.