Euro 2016: The most expensive XI on show at the tournament

We take a look at the costliest players in each position at this year's finals in France

Monday 06 June 2016 12:22

The two most expensive players in the world will both be on show in France over the next month

(Getty Images)

Many a scout or coach will descend on France over the next five weeks seeking to uncover a cheap new talent, but the European Championship will also be the showcase for some of the most expensive players in the world.

Five of the 10 most expensive players of all time will be on show - Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, of Real Madrid, Manchester City pair Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne as well as the soon-to-be former PSG forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But which other high-end players will be under pressure to perform and make good on the high fees their clubs shelled out for them?

We have gone through every country's squad and come up with the most expensive starting XI on show in France - with a bit of poetic license over the formation.

Euro 2016: Most expensive XI

Show all 11

1/11Euro 2016: Most expensive XI

Italy
Parma - Juventus
Price: £33 million
Year: 2001
Verdict: The keeper is a legendary figure in the game and with his stay at Juventus having reached 15 years, he has won nearly everything there is. Has proved to be a bargain.

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France
Porto – Manchester City
Price: £40 million
Year: 2014
Verdict: Form has been sporadic and nowhere near the level £40m should be expected to bring to a club. Has often looked lost and confused and is nowhere near a (fit) Vincent Kompany. When you realise he cost eight times what City paid for the Belgian, it’s only fair to label him a disappointment.

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Portugal
Porto – Real Madrid
Price: £25 million
Year: 2007
Verdict: His price tag sums up the medical bills for players he has injured in his time in Madrid. Add in his latest Oscar-deserving performance in last month's Champions League final and it's clear to see why he is not everyone’s cup of tea.

2016 Getty Images

Belgium
Arsenal – Barcelona
Price: £15 million
Year: 2014
Verdict: Seemingly always injured, Arsenal must have thought they were dreaming when Barca came in with a £15m offer. Having only managed 18 games in two years, it really has proved an amazing deal for Arsenal.

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Croatia
Tottenham – Real Madrid
Price: £33 million
Year: 2012
Verdict: Real's first Spurs swoop has paid off fantastically well - eventually. Despite being voted by Marca readers as the worst signing of the season, Modric has grown to become part of the furniture at the Bernabeu, and has just won his second Champions League title. A snip.

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Belgium
Wolfsburg – Manchester City
Price: £55 million
Year: 2015
Verdict: Sold by Chelsea because Jose Mourinho hates players who need time to progress, he came to haunt the Blues with a fine season at City. Fueled by vengeance, de Bruyne has become, arguably, Belgium’s best player.

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Germany
Real Madrid – Arsenal
Price: £42.5 million
Year: 2013
Verdict: Let go by Real after their purchase of Bale, Özil is Arsenal’s most expensive player. After a rocky start, he’s now also become their best. Worth the cash.

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Wales
Tottenham – Real Madrid
Price: £86 million
Year: 2013
Verdict: The world’s most expensive player, even though Cristiano Ronaldo will tell you otherwise. Has struggled at times to reproduce the form of his last year at White Hart Lane but has performed on the big occasion - helping win two Champions League titles and a Spanish Cup.

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England
Liverpool – Manchester City
Price: £49 million
Year: 2015
Verdict: The most expensive English player ever, but has been incredibly disappointing and can consider himself lucky to find himself in England's Euro squad. So far it appears Liverpool scored massively from this deal.

2016 Manchester United FC

France
Monaco – Manchester United
Price: £61.5 million
Year: 2015
Verdict: While his debut goal against Liverpool resembled Thierry Henry in his prime, his transfer fee resembled about four Henry’s. Incredibly talented - if a little sullen - Martial has become one of United’s go-to men, and will benefit from the support - and competition - of Marcus Rashford.. So far, so good.

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Portugal
Manchester United – Real Madrid
Price: £80 million
Year: 2009
Verdict: Brought in for a small fortune, the preening Portugueezer has ridiculed his mammoth fee. Has become one of the club's greatest ever players, regularly topping fifty goals a season. Still worth his weight in gold.

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What do you think - have they all proved value for money? Were any of them too cheap or did their clubs pay over the odds?

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