Top 5 footballers that might break £100m transfer record jinx

This summer will surely see the historic transfer milestone of the first £100million footballer.

We’ve been edging closer year on year with the world’s current most expensive player Paul Pogba switching from Juventus to Manchester United for £89m last summer.

We now find ourselves in the midst of a transfer window where Liverpool were prepared to spend £60m on Virgil van Dijk and many of the world’s best players are being strongly linked with moves.

Jose Mourinho sends Jorge Mendes to Spain to seal Man Utd deal for Barcelona midfielder

So who will be the player who lays claim to becoming the first £100m player?

There is no doubt some players would easily command such a fee – Lionel Messi and Neymar for example – but it also needs to be a player who has a realistic chance of moving. With that in mind we’ve taken a look at the leading contenders and assessed their chances….

ROMELU LUKAKU

The Everton striker has been banging in the Premier League goals on a consistent basis for a few years now – combine that with his desire to move to a bigger club, his young age and competition for his signature (Chelsea and Manchester United are very keen) and you have the perfect storm. Everton have made clear they will only sell at the nine-figure sum.

Romelu Lukaku's Premier League season

Games played37Goals scored25Assists6

CRISTIANO RONALDO

Until last week there seemed absolutely no chance of Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid – but that’s what tax evasion allegations can do for you. The four-time Ballon d’Or holder reportedly wants to leave the Bernabeu with PSG, Manchester United and Chelsea ready to welcome him with open arms. Despite his 32-years of age Ronaldo will easily command in excess of £100m – he’s probably worth that in shirt sales alone. It’s just whether he actually decides to go or this is all posturing to get a better contract at the Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo's La Liga Season

Games played29Goals scored25Assists6

EDEN HAZARD

A possible arrival at Real Madrid this summer is Chelsea talisman Hazard. The Belgian is reportedly a target for the Champions League holders but they would need to make a huge offer to make it happen. Having ripped Premier League defences apart for a number of years Hazard perfectly fits the profile of a Real Madrid signing.

KYLIAN MBAPPE

Monaco’s teenage sensation has every club in Europe chasing his signature and quite understandably. After bursting onto the scene he couldn’t stop scoring goals which helped Monaco to the Ligue 1 title and semi-final stage of the Champions League. Comparisons with Thierry Henry seem justified. The question is whether he chooses to leave Monaco this summer or develop a little more on the south coast of France. He’s probably too young and too much of a risk to command £100m – but such is the excitement and interest in him it’s possible he could achieve that figure.

Kylian Mbappe's Ligue 1 stats 2016/17

Games played29Goals15Assists8

PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG

The Borussia Dortmund striker has been incredibly consistent over the last few years. He scored 31 goals in 32 appearances this last season and 25 in 31 the year before that – an impressive return from the Gabon international. He’s understood to be ready for a new challenge which gives him a decent chance of making a move this summer. Whether he can quite command £100m will depend on whether there is a fight for him.