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Manchester United legends, N’Golo Kante, and an Arsenal Invincible – the biggest Premier League bargains ever

Spending in the Premier League has continued to astonish, disgust and amaze in equal measure in recent years.

This is all likely to change due to the financial devastation caused by the coronavirus.

 Coronavirus will most likely see Premier League clubs spend less in the transfer market
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Coronavirus will most likely see Premier League clubs spend less in the transfer marketCredit: Getty

The deadly disease has wreaked financial havoc on hundreds of clubs across the country and big-money fees that we have seen in the top flight in recent years will almost certainly be less frequent.

Now more than ever, clubs will be on the hunt for players who are available on the cheap when they look to bolster their squads.

There have been some incredible bargain buys in the past, and we at talkSPORT.com have trawled through the archives and compiled a list of the best value-for-money transfers in the Premier League over the last 20 years...



Kolo Toure (ASEC Mimosas to Arsenal, 2002) – £150,000

The Ivory Coast international became a mainstay in the Gunners defence and helped the club to several pieces of silverware before departing for Manchester City in a big-money move.

His greatest claim to fame has to be the fact he is an Invincible in both England and Scotland, after being part of teams – Arsenal and Celtic – that went an entire season unbeaten.

 Toure was an imperious presence at the back for Arsenal from 2002-2009
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Toure was an imperious presence at the back for Arsenal from 2002-2009

Tim Cahill (Millwall to Everton, 2004) – £1.5m

Before the Toffees spent money like it was going out of fashion, the club were known for their frugal ways.

The signing of Millwall midfielder Cahill in the summer of 2004 was seen as a shrewd piece of business – especially as he had just led the Championship side to the FA Cup final.

By the time he left for New York Red Bulls in 2012, his 56 goals in 226 league games had helped cement his status as a Goodison Park legend.

 Cahill scored 56 goals in 226 Premier League appearances for Everton
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Cahill scored 56 goals in 226 Premier League appearances for Everton

Ashley Cole (Arsenal to Chelsea, 2006) – £5m

After being left ‘trembling with anger’ at Arsenal’s apparently derisory offer of a £55,000-a-week contract, it seemed inevitable Cole would leave the Gunners in 2006.

Shortly before the switch from Highbury to the Emirates, Arsene Wenger sanctioned a controversial move to Chelsea for the left-back.

Cole established himself as one of the best defenders in the world at Stamford Bridge and clinched the Champions League in 2012, scoring a penalty in the shootout win.

 Ashley Cole won everything at Chelsea - including the Champions League in 2012
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Ashley Cole won everything at Chelsea - including the Champions League in 2012Credit: Getty

Nemanja Vidic (Spartak Moscow to Manchester United, 2005) - £7m

If there was ever proof that brilliant players can be bought in January - this is it.

Vidic made his name as one of the Premier League’s greatest ever defenders in his eight year stint at Old Trafford.

Forming an incredible partnership with Rio Ferdinand at the back, the Serbian won five Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008.

He arrived in the same window as another player who would also become a pillar of Alex Ferguson’s last great United side...

 Nemanja Vidic captained Manchester United for three years and won five Premier league titles at Old Trafford
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Nemanja Vidic captained Manchester United for three years and won five Premier league titles at Old TraffordCredit: Getty Images

Patrice Evra (Monaco to Manchester United, 2006) - £5.5m

Seamus Coleman (Sligo Rovers to Everton, 2009) – £60,000

One of the most remarkable transfers in Premier League history - and Sligo Rovers must be kicking themselves now.

The Irish side could not have foreseen in 2009 just how incredible the right-back would become of course, but the size of the fee really is incredible.

Although he is yet to show the same sort of marauding form he did before a horrible leg break in 2017, Coleman is still a fantastic defender.

 Seamus Coleman is a fans' favourite at Goodison Park
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Seamus Coleman is a fans' favourite at Goodison ParkCredit: Getty

Vincent Kompany (Hamburg to Manchester City, 2008) – £6m

One of the last signings before Abu Dhabi money took hold of the Citizens in 2008.

Kompany was 22 when he joined Mark Hughes' side and one can only imagine how expensive the Belgian would be in his prime.

Fitness issues dogged Kompany in the tail-end of his City years, but he was a serial winner and a leader at the heart of the defence for Pep Guardiola.

A true Premier League great, for sure.

 Vincent Kompany is a Manchester City legend and one of the Premier League's greatest ever captains
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Vincent Kompany is a Manchester City legend and one of the Premier League's greatest ever captainsCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Pablo Zabaleta (Espanyol to Manchester City, 2008) - £6.45m

Gary Cahill (Bolton to Chelsea, 2012) - £7m

Hugo Lloris (Lyon to Tottenham, 2012) - £11.9m

The Frenchman has been one of the best goalkeepers in the top flight since his deadline day move from Lyon in 2012.

Although in recent seasons he has been prone to an error or two, he has been a fantastic acquisition for Spurs, having made 316 appearances in his eight years at the club.

The World Cup winner also ended Brad Friedel’s insane record of 310 consecutive Premier League games and still looks like he has a good few seasons left between the sticks in north London.

 Lloris has made over 300 appearances for Spurs for the best part of a decade
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Lloris has made over 300 appearances for Spurs for the best part of a decadeCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann looks back on miracle of Istanbul

Cesar Azpilicueta (Marseille to Chelsea, 2012) – £7m

Signed from from the French side in 2012, the defender was seen as a prospect for the future. However, his versatility and reliability saw him immediately become a regular in the team and the club lifted the Europa League at the end of the campaign.

A model of consistency, Azpilicueta has been superb for the Blues for eight years and has won two Premier League titles, as well as another Europa League trophy, an FA Cup, and a League Cup.

He is now the captain and a hero among the Stamford Bridge faithful, with supporters preferring to call him ‘Dave’ rather than his actual name.

 Cesar Azpilicueta, who is Chelsea's club captain, has been incredibly consistent for the Blues over the years
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Cesar Azpilicueta, who is Chelsea's club captain, has been incredibly consistent for the Blues over the years

Dele Alli (MK Dons to Tottenham Hotspur, 2015) – £5m

Say what you want about the midfielder, but he is extremely effective and always seems to grab important goals for his side.

The former MK Dons star was close to joining Liverpool six months before completing his move to Spurs but he is more than at home in north London now.

Still just 24, he has plenty of time to develop his game.

 Alli signed for Spurs from MK Dons and has been a key member of the first team
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Alli signed for Spurs from MK Dons and has been a key member of the first team

N’Golo Kante (Caen to Leicester City, 2015) – £5.6m

One of the nicest men in football, Kante’s rise from Ligue 2 to World Cup winner was nothing short of miraculous.

Signed by Claudio Ranieri to break up opposition attacks, the diminutive midfielder seemed to be absolutely everywhere for the Foxes as they claimed a spectacular Premier League title win in 2016.

His heroic performances were never likely to go under the radar, and a £32m move to Chelsea saw Leicester slip back into mid-table, while he had a similar effect at Chelsea and won his second consecutive title at Stamford Bridge.

He has since been a crucial figure for the Blues, winning the FA Cup and Europa League in the last two seasons, respectively.

 N'Golo Kante won back to back Premier League titles with Leicester and then Chelsea in 2015/16 and 2016.17 respectively
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N'Golo Kante won back to back Premier League titles with Leicester and then Chelsea in 2015/16 and 2016.17 respectively

Andrew Robertson (Hull City to Liverpool, 2017) – £8m

Even though he's one of the biggest spenders in the Premier League these days, Jurgen Klopp proved he can still pick out a bargain when he snapped up Robertson from Hull.

With the Tigers facing life in the Championship, the German moved quickly to bring the Scot to Merseyside.

And he has had an incredible effect on Merseyside, helping the Reds to a Champions League and Club World Cup triumph.

 Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson has emerged as one of the best full-backs in Europe since his switch from Hull in 2017
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Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson has emerged as one of the best full-backs in Europe since his switch from Hull in 2017Credit: Getty Images - Getty


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