Romelu Lukaku will become the most expensive footballer in history based on accumulated transfer fees when the Belgian striker completes a €115 million ($135m) return to Chelsea.
Lukaku, 28, overtakes Brazilian forward Neymar at the top of the list having already been in third following lucrative transfers to Everton, Manchester United, and Inter Milan.
Neymar, the most expensive player in history, led the list after just two transfers, the second of which smashed the world record when he moved to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona for €222m in 2017.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who once held the transfer fee record when he moved from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2009, completes the top three.
With a new player at the top of the standings, take a look through the photo gallery above to view the top 20 most expensive footballers based on their total transfer fees.
All figures have been sourced from transfermarkt.com.
10 most expensive players based on combined transfer fees
1. Romelu Lukaku - €327.56m
2. Neymar - €310.20m
3. Cristiano Ronaldo - €230m
4. Alvaro Morata - €189m
5. Angel Di Maria - €179.00m
6. Antoine Griezmann - €174m
7. Ousmane Dembele €170m
8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - €169.10m
9. Philippe Coutinho - €160.3m
10. Gonzalo Higuain -€159m
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
LAST-16 FIXTURES
Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
The five pillars of Islam
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 400hp
Torque: 500Nm
Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)
On sale: 2022
