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Barcelona’s 10 most expensive signings & how they fared: Neymar, Suarez…

Ben Stewart •

Barcelona have been one of the biggest spending sides in Europe over the last decade and it’s fair to say that some of their big-money deals have fared better than others.

The Catalan Club have often been scrutinised for their heavy spending in the transfer window, although they have still managed to secure some good deals in recent times.

We’ve gone back through their 10 most expensive signings and have assessed how they have fared. Note: all of the transfer figures have been gathered from Transfermarkt.

10. Ferran Torres (€55million)

Manchester City managed to flip a quick profit on the Spanish forward who has had a fairly inconsistent start to his Barcelona career. The majority of his appearances have come from the bench this season as he has struggled to nail down a spot.

The 22-year-old has shown glimpses of talent though and could yet come good for Barcelona in the future. Having scored 12 goals in 54 appearances so far, Torres has been fairly hit-and-miss.

9. Raphinha (€58million)

The Brazilian winger has started his Barcelona career well with seven goals and nine assists to his name already. Raphinha gives Barcelona a different dynamic on the right-hand side and he’s had a terrific start to 2023.

8. Miralem Pjanic (€60million)

This deal still seems as strange today as it did back in 2020. Pjanic joined the club in a deal which involved Arthur Melo heading in the opposite direction to Juventus for around €65million.

The midfielder was past the peak of his powers by the time he arrived at Camp Nou and he ultimately only spent one season with the club. This move seemed destined to fail from the start.

7. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (€69million)

His goal return of 22 in 46 was respectable, but we never saw the best of Ibrahimovic in a Barcelona shirt. If only he and Pep Guardiola had got along.

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho with Barcelona's Pep Guardiola and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Camp Nou, Barcelona, 28 April 2010.

READ: Seven players who fell out with Pep Guardiola: Eto’o, Zlatan, Toure…

6. Luis Suarez (€81million)

This one was a resounding success. The signing of Suarez was surrounded in controversy as he missed the first few months of the season through suspension after biting Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup.

Suarez immediately turned things on as soon as he got on the pitch for Barcelona and the rest is history. Scoring 198 goals across his six-year stint with the club, he is Barcelona’s third top goalscorer of all time.

He formed a formidable partnership with Lionel Messi and Neymar and went on to win a total of 13 trophies with the club. Suarez was truly one of a kind.

5. Frenkie de Jong (€86million)

Despite the reoccurring links away from the club, De Jong has proven to be a good signing for Barcelona. The former Ajax midfielder is comfortable in a range of different roles and he continues to be a regular first-teamer.

Several Premier League clubs still have their eyes on the Dutch midfielder, but he seems to be settled into life at Barcelona right now.

4. Neymar (€88million)

Neymar’s four seasons at Camp Nou were unforgettable. Arguably the third most talented player of his generation, Neymar regularly made the impossible look entirely effortless.

His role in Barcelona’s 2014-15 Champions League winning campaign should not go under the radar and it’s a shame he didn’t stick around for longer.

3. Antoine Griezmann (€120million)

This one had the feeling of right player, wrong time. Griezmann had all of the attributes to be a great player for Barcelona, but he joined the club at a time when things had turned sour and their decline was obvious to see.

Both Ernesto Valverde and Ronald Koeman struggled to get the best out of the Frenchman. Griezmann left the club in the summer having only won one trophy during his spell with the Catalan club.

2. Philippe Coutinho (€135million)

It’s utterly insane that Coutinho’s best moment during his time as a Barcelona player came while he was out on loan with Bayern Munich when he scored against his parent club.

The Brazilian playmaker did show glimpses of his talent while in Spain, but Coutinho ultimately struggled to live up to his extortionate £120million price tag.

1. Ousmane Dembele (€120million)

Dembele’s early days at Barcelona were plagued with injuries, but he is now looking sharper than ever. With eight goals and seven assists to his name this season, he has been one of Barcelona’s brightest outlets.

Ousmane Dembele (FC Barcelona) celebrates after scoring during the Kings Cup football match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad

READ: 9 stats which show Ousmane Dembele’s remarkable Barcelona turnaround

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TRY A QUIZ: Can you name the 23 players Barcelona have signed from the PL?

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