Seven ‘low-fee’ talents who have become soccer stars

With all the money speculated on football these days, it’s increasingly becoming difficult to find a bargain.

Yet, they do exist. Ojo Olayiwola of FootballWeeks.com has highlighted seven players who have proven that it doesn’t always take a mouth-watering fee to secure the services of some of the world’s best talent.

DELE ALLI (MK Dons – Tottenahm Hotspur)

Transfer fee: £5m

There were rumours about the future prospect of Alli prior to his 2015 summer to Tottenham Hotspur from MK Dons for £5m, but in the end, Alli has already become a Premier League star.

The 21-year-old box-to-box midfielder is an integral part of Tottenham side which has taken Europe by storm, finishing second in the Premier League table last season. Alli has already established himself as one of the most exciting young talents on the globe. His two goals against reigning European Champions, Real Madrid, in the Champions League yet another example of the MK Dons youth graduate.

MAURO ICARDI (Sampdoria – Inter Milan)

Transfer fee: £5.8m

 Leading Inter Milan’s frontline, Mauro Icardi, was hijacked from Sampdoriaback in 2013 summer, but the Argentine striker has since become the main man at the San Siro.

A record of 82 Serie A goals in just 137 appearances for the Nerazzurri’s should be evidence of the Argentine international’s stature. Icardi’s never-say-die attitude on the pitch stands him out among his contemporaries.

RAPHAEL VARANE (Lens – Real Madrid)

Transfer fee: £9m

A transfer fee of just £9m seems like a peanut compared to what clubs spend on players but that was what Real Madrid paid for the services of Varane back in 2011. Today, he’s become one of the world’s best centre-backs. In the Los Blancos’ heart of defence, Varane is Sergio Ramos’ undisputed partner and the Frenchman deserves such an honour.

The former Lens man plays with a mix of extraordinary pace and a mature reading of the game to get the upper hand on most strikers. Varane has been tipped to become great for both Real Madrid and France national team for years to come.

PHILIPPE COUTINHO (Inter Milan – Liverpool)

Transfer fee: £8.5m

Barcelona were reportedly set to pay Liverpool around €125m for the services of Coutinho in the summer only for that to be outrightly rejected. That would have been some profit for the Merseyside, who hijacked Coutinho off Inter Milan’s rank for a fraction of that in 2013.

Now in his fourth year at the Anfield, the 25-year-old has come on rapidly and is now the main man for Jurgen Klopp’s team. Coutinho’s creative ability, matched with an eye for goal, makes the Brazilian an invaluable player and among the world’s best. That explains why Barcelona submitted three different bids for his signature.

MARCO VERRATTI (Pescara – Paris Saint-Germain)

Transfer fee: £10m

It has been widely analysed that Verratti is held in such high esteem in the French capital. Verratti would not be sold under any circumstances, with some even suggesting Barcelona’s interest in him caused Paris Saint-Germain’s move for Neymar Jr. in a world-record move.

Well, it depends on whatever one believes, the ex-Pescara star left his Italian homeland in 2012 to sign for PSG and he has become an integral part of the Les Parisians side that has dominated both the French football and European of late.

JOSHUA KIMMICH (Red Bull Leipzig – Bayern Munich)

Transfer fee: £6m

A lot can be said of Joshua Kimmich, Bayern’s natural successor to Philipp Lahm. The 22-year-old is already on his way to emulating his compatriot.

Signed by the Bundesliga champions from Red Bull Leipzig in January 2015, Kimmich was slotted into first-team affairs in Bavaria but is now the regular choice right back for both club and country.

ERIC DIER (Sporting CP – Tottenham Hotspur)

Transfer fee: £4m

It is no coincidence that Dele Alli and Dier are best friends off the pitch, with Alli providing security for his mate on the pitch and some superb performances in the middle of the flank.

Tottenham signed Dier from Sporting CP in 2014 and, though the 23-year-old’s initially been playing as a fullback, he has been brilliant for Spurs in recent years, playing in central midfield and centre back. His incredible rise to the top was capped with being selected as England’s captain in the Three Lions recent friendly game.