Transfer news: Five players who could break the all-time transfer record set by Neymar

Neymar's elimination astatine the hands of Norway successful the circular of 16 of the 2026 World Cup brought a poignant adjacent to a vocation that volition everlastingly transportation a consciousness of unfulfilled potential.

Yet immoderate the footballing verdict connected the Brazilian, 1 rubric remains his: the astir costly footballer successful the past of the sport. His £188m (€222m) determination from Barcelona to PSG successful 2017 has stood arsenic the satellite grounds transportation for 9 years. Here are the 5 players astir apt to yet surpass it.

Kylian Mbappe — excessively soon to permission Real Madrid, but the timepiece is ticking

Mbappe is surviving retired his puerility imagination astatine Real Madrid, and with the nine already making ambitious signings nether Jose Mourinho, a departure is not remotely connected the docket this summer.

Fabrizio Romano moved rapidly to disregard reports that Chelsea had approached his entourage, with Xabi Alonso reportedly keen connected a reunion astatine Stamford Bridge. Real Madrid person nary volition of selling.

That said, Mbappe's archetypal 2 seasons astatine the Bernabeu person not delivered the Champions League glory helium craves, and if that vexation persists, transportation speculation volition intensify sharply adjacent summer. His existent marketplace worth sits astatine astir £153m (€180m), meaning immoderate determination would necessitate a record-breaking fee.

Lamine Yamal — Barcelona person already said nary to £212m

At 18, Yamal is already the astir highly valued subordinate connected the planet, with estimates of astatine slightest £170m (€200m). Barcelona person protected their prized plus with a £850m (€1bn) merchandise clause — a fig designed to deter alternatively than bespeak marketplace reality.

The nine person claimed connected aggregate occasions that they rejected a £212m (€250m) connection from PSG successful the summertime of 2024, which would person breached the grounds astatine a stroke, though PSG person ever denied submitting immoderate specified bid.

For now, Yamal remains firmly astatine the Camp Nou. But the beingness of a nine-figure connection — if close — confirms conscionable however adjacent the grounds came to falling 2 years ago.

Erling Haaland — and the mysterious merchandise clause

Haaland is contracted to Manchester City until 2034, placing the Citizens successful a presumption of astir full control. Yet his begetter acceptable tongues wagging during the 2026 World Cup by remarking that 'everyone dreams of playing astatine Real Madrid'.

A determination to the Bernabeu has agelong been discussed successful shot circles, reportedly conditioned connected a imaginable Vinicius Junior departure and a merchandise clause whose presumption person ne'er been officially confirmed. There is thing imminent — but this is simply a dossier that volition not spell away.

Pedri — distant from the transportation circus for now

At 23, the Spain planetary is signed to Barcelona until 2030 and is not presently the taxable of superior transportation speculation.

His marketplace worth of astir £119m (€140m) makes him a precious squad plus alternatively than a header target. Should helium ever question Champions League glory astatine a higher level — a contention Barcelona person not won since 2015 — that representation could alteration significantly.

Michael Olise — the hottest dossier connected the list

The Bayern Munich winger has attracted the astir superior record-breaking speculation, with reports suggesting Real Madrid are considering a bid of astir £189m (€223m) that would borderline past Neymar's nine-year-old record. Bayern person responded with implicit clarity.

Speaking to BILD, Bayern president Herbert Hainer drew a steadfast line: 'Michael Olise is simply a Bayern subordinate and has a semipermanent contract. We are not a selling club. If Florentino Perez wants to nonstop america an connection — which has not happened truthful acold — helium tin prevention himself the trouble.'

Honorary president Uli Hoeness was arsenic blunt: 'Sell Michael Olise for £170m (€200m)? He volition not beryllium sold. We play this crippled for our fans. We person 430,000 members, we person millions of fans each implicit the world, and it does not assistance them overmuch if we person £170m successful the slope but play worse shot each Saturday.'

An unnamed Bayern enforcement told L'Equipe: 'Even for £170m (€200m), helium volition not leave.' 

Behind the defiant nationalist stance, Bayern are reportedly preparing a important declaration hold for Olise that would tally until 2031, including a important signing bonus designed to marque it financially unattractive for the subordinate to question a move.

A departure successful the summertime of 2027 cannot beryllium ruled retired wholly if the stand-off continues — but for now, Neymar's grounds appears harmless for astatine slightest different 12 months.