Guéhi goes third 

Brahim Diaz sixth: Biggest transfer fees for stars with contracts expiring

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The football landscape is constantly changing and an increasingly trend in the modern game is players running down their contracts. It empowers the players in contract negotiations with clubs over new deals and it can also allow them to receive massive sign-on fees, if they decide to explore new opportunities. In recent years, Kylian Mbappé is the most famous example of a superstar running down his contract.

The French international departed PSG on a free transfer to join Real Madrid in one of the most protracted deals in history. Additionally, clubs often target players who’ve entered the last 12 months of their contract with the aim of securing a bargain fee. Manchester City have capitalised on Marc Guéhi’s Crystal Palace contract expiring at the end of the season by signing the England international for just an initial €23m – more than €30m below his market value. With Guehi’s transfer in mind, Transfermarkt has analysed the highest fees paid in history for players with less than six months left on their contracts.

Highest fees paid for players in last six months of contract

Man City’s acquisition of Guéhi for an initial €23m currently ranks as the third highest fee for a player in the last six months in his contract. If the total add-ons of €11.6m are met then Guéhi will become the most expensive player, eclipsing the current record holder Alexis Sánchez. Manchester United famously paid Arsenal €34m to sign the Chilean in 2018 but it proved to be a disastrous move. Sanchez scored just five goals in 45 appearances for United and he’s widely regarded as one of their worst ever signings.

As the graphic above illustrates, Christian Eriksen ranks second after Inter Milan paid Tottenham €27m to sign him in 2020. Unsurprisingly, Premier League clubs dominate the top ten with seven signings made by English top-flight clubs, including Daniel Sturridge’s move from Chelsea to Liverpool. Brahim Díaz – currently in the news after missing a crucial penalty for Morocco in the AFCON final – also features from joining Real Madrid from Man City for €17m in 2019.