With the spending power among the elite clubs now greater than ever, there is likely to be a host of eye-watering deals in the coming weeks
Florian Wirtz became only the 17th player in history to command a transfer fee of €100m (£84m/$113m) or more when he joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in a British record €136m (£116m/$156m) deal earlier this month. However, there will likely be at least one more entrant in that exclusive club this summer.
Ever since Neymar's €222 million (£198m/$247m) move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, the fees exchanged between top European sides have skyrocketed to previously unimaginable levels, and there has been no sign of the bubble bursting anytime soon. In fact, inflated transfer fees have become commonplace, partly due to the rise of the Saudi Pro League, and also because there now appears to be a surplus of game-changing talents in the Pep Guardiola era of strict tactical systems.
The truly world-class performers, particularly those who operate at the top end of the pitch, are now valued more highly than ever before as all the top clubs scramble to make the marginal gains necessary to win major silverware. The question is: who will be the next €100m (£85m/$117m) superstar?
GOAL has ranked the top ten contenders below, starting with an English teenager who has already experienced the highs and lows of life in the Premier League…
Getty Images9Tyler Dibling (Southampton)
In the winter transfer window, Tottenham reportedly contacted Southampton over a potential deal for Tyler Dibling, and were told the midfielder would not be sold for anything less than £100m ($137m). How much truth there was in that claim only the two clubs will know, but the mere notion of Dibling being worth a nine-figure fee at this stage of his career is, quite frankly, ridiculous.
That's not to say that the 19-year-old isn't a brilliant prospect. Dibling was perhaps the only bright spark in Southampton's miserable 2024-25 campaign, which ended in relegation, standing out most in a draw with Brighton and home and away defeats to Manchester United – who have also been strongly linked with the England U21 international.
"I heard rumours of Manchester United being ready to submit a £21m ($29m) bid for Tyler Dibling," former Saints boss Russell Martin said in December. "I’m not sure they’d get his left foot for that." Martin uttered those words with a completely straight face, but Southampton have since lost that kind of bargaining power. Dibling offers could flood in when the summer window reopens, and the club would be wise to significantly drop their valuation if they want a much-needed financial boost in the Championship.
AdvertisementGetty Images8Vangelis Pavlidis (Benfica)
Chelsea and Newcastle have both reportedly shown an interest in signing Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis, who enjoyed a dream debut campaign at the Estadio da Luz. Signed for just €18m (£15m/$21m) from AZ Alkmaar, the Greece international scored 29 goals in 53 appearances across all competitions in 2024-25, with seven of those coming in the Champions League as Benfica enjoyed a run through to the round of 16.
Pavlidis is also impressing at the Club World Cup, and the 26-year-old's stock will go through the roof if he inspires Benfica to victory over Chelsea in the first knockout stage. The problem is, any suitors will have to trigger Pavlidis' €100m release clause to prise him away from the Portuguese club, who have made it clear they are not open to negotiating a cut-price deal.
There is no question that Pavlidis is a natural goalscorer and an impressive link-man, but he's yet to play in one of Europe's major leagues, and it remains to be seen if any of the elite clubs are willing to take such a big gamble on the Greek ace.
Getty Images7Rodrigo Mora (Porto)
Last season was a breakout one for Porto's Rodrigo Mora: the 18-year-old attacking midfielder who has been mooted as a potential target for PSG, Man Utd and Arsenal. Mora signed a new contract at the Estadio Do Dragao in May, which reportedly includes a €100m release clause, but unlike in the case of Pavlidis, that is unlikely to put off interested parties.
The Portuguese playmaker has already nailed down a starting role at Porto, and still has so much potential to unlock. "He sees the game like no one I’ve ever coached," former Porto U15s coach, Nuno Pimentel, told when assessing Mora's rapid development. "He’s always one step ahead. Then, he combines it all with a very high level of technical skill."
That much was evident in Porto's final nine league games, as Mora plundered seven goals, including a brace in a 2-1 victory over Familicao. The teenager is equally as capable of deciding games himself as he is of dictating them, and now may be the best time for Europe's big boys to swoop, because his value is only going to increase if he stays on his current trajectory.
Getty Images6Bradley Barcola (PSG)
According to , Arsenal are also interested in PSG winger Bradley Barcola, but face stiff competition from Chelsea and Bayern Munich. PSG are eager to tie Barcola down to fresh terms, but his head could be turned amid fierce competition for places in attack alongside Desire Doue and January signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Barcola played a key role in PSG's treble success last term with 40 goal involvements across all competitions, but found himself in and out of Luis Enrique's starting XI towards the end of the campaign. As such, it has been suggested that a bid in the region of €100m could persuade PSG to facilitate the 22-year-old's departure.
It won't be a surprise if such an offer does come in, because Barcola's versatility makes him a very unique asset. The France international can play anywhere across the frontline without any dip in end product, and it would be a huge waste of his abilities if he is reduced to just a backup player at the Parc des Princes next term.
