Tuesday 21 February 2017 00:08, UK
After Jose Mourinho declared Paul Pogba's world-record transfer fee will soon look like a bargain for Manchester United, we take a look at the group of players who could surpass the £89m paid for the Frenchman...
"I am pretty sure that next summer some players with only half his quality probably will cost the same money or more, so I am waiting for that moment to release him from the scrutiny," Mourinho said in response to Pogba's critics.
"The next summer can bring a few surprises at this level and probably Paul will lose his status as the world's most-expensive player, which is probably a good thing."
But is Mourinho right? We've selected 13 players and ask you to decide who poses the greatest threat to Pogba's world-record transfer fee. Use the 'upvote' and 'downvote' buttons to have your say...
Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
He smashed the transfer record to bring Pogba to Old Trafford in 2016 but could Mourinho do it all again to lure Griezmann away from the Vicente Calderon? The Atletico Madrid forward is understood to head United's summer transfer wishlist, and his reported £85m release clause means the Frenchman could come mightily close to surpassing his close friend and compatriot Pogba.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund)
Aubameyang hasn't shied away from speculation linking him with the Dortmund exit-door, frequently stating he dreams of playing for Spanish giants Real Madrid one day. "Yes, yes. That's true but, you know, there is not only Real Madrid in this world," the Gabon international, who also left the door open to other options, revealed to Fussball Bild. Whether a move to the Bernabeu or elsewhere materialises, it would take a sizeable sum to convince Dortmund to part with a forward who has scored 103 goals in four seasons at the Westfalenstadion.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
It's a rumour which seems to do the rounds every year - Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola reuniting at Manchester City, what a mouth-watering prospect that would be. It's usually taken with a pinch of salt but Barca's alarming slump and growing unrest at the Nou Camp has seen speculation gather pace, with City making the Argentine their No 1 summer transfer target, according to the Daily Mirror. With City more than capable of matching the mooted £100m required to sign Messi, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner could well have another record to add to his haul.
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Captain and all-time leading goalscorer for both England and Manchester United, Rooney's footballing pedigree is unquestionable. However, his steady decline at Old Trafford this term has seen talk of a move intensify. Constantly linked with China, there is no question Rooney's wages would reach unprecedented levels - whether United are able to pocket a world-record fee for the 31-year-old, however, remains to be seen.
Neymar (Barcelona)
One third of Barcelona's feared MSN attacking trio, Neymar has enjoyed unrivalled success during his trophy-laden three-and-a-half-year stint at the Nou Camp. However, the individual accolades haven't come quite so freely for the Brazilian, who stands behind team-mate Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the pantheon of footballing greats. It's been suggested Neymar must step out of Messi's shadow to emulate the Argentine. With big-spenders PSG perennially linked, could a record transfer to the French capital provide him with such a platform?
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Whether it's a strategic move to Paris Saint-Germain or an emotional return to Manchester United, four-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo would surely demand a gargantuan fee were he to leave the Bernabeu. Having been dethroned as the world's most-expensive player when Gareth Bale move to Madrid in 2013, it's certainly an accolade the Portuguese would be keen to regain.
Paulo Dybala (Juventus)
The Argentine's dynamic performances for Serie A champions Juventus have attracted suitors across Europe, with El Clasico rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid reportedly leading the charge. With the 23-year-old expected to extend his stay in Turin for the time being though, perhaps a big-money move could materialise after a few more sensational seasons with the Bianconeri.
Dele Alli (Tottenham)
Dele Alli's stock has continued to rise following his breath-taking emergence as one of English football's most talented prospects. The Spurs midfielder has overcome each challenge of his fledgling career with ease, and it's that seamless adaptation to new challenges which has Europe's top clubs interested. With the great negotiator Daniel Levy involved in any deal that would see Alli leave White Hart Lane, there's no doubt he'll threaten Pogba's record if he continues on the same trajectory.
Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)
Bayern Munich are understood to have rejected an £85m bid from Manchester United for the Germany international last summer, a transfer which would have matched the fee Spurs received from Real Madrid for Bale. Fast forward half a season and the chances of United reviving their interest in Muller - a striker who has found the net on just one occasion in the Bundesliga this season - look in doubt.
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Having been the driving force behind Chelsea's Premier League title-winning campaign in 2014/15, and having playing a huge part in their assault on the championship this season, there are few, if any, Blues supporters who would like to see Eden Hazard leave Stamford Bridge. But Real Madrid, who have made four of the top 10 record-breaking transfers, could be tempted to splash out.
Diego Costa (Chelsea)
Is he staying or is he going? Diego Costa's future threatened to derail the Blues' Premier League title charge but he has refocused to get them back on track. With a reported £30m-a-season contract on the table for the Spaniard it goes without saying a move to China is appealing to the player, but it could appeal to Chelsea, too, especially if they receive an equally staggering fee.
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)
Pep Guardiola's goalkeeping problems have seen the former Bayern boss linked with Neuer, despite the German confirming there had been no contact with the Manchester City head coach. The current record transfer fee for a goalkeeper - £33m Juventus paid for Gianluigi Buffon - has stood for the best part of 16 years, but given the current climate that could be smashed if City really want their man. Whether that's enough for Neuer to challenge the overall record isn't as clear.
Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
Viewed as the long-term successor to Cristiano Ronaldo, Bale has constantly reiterated his intention to remain at Real Madrid for the foreseeable future. On first glance the Welshman's unwillingness to leave, and Real's reluctance to sell, makes a world-record transfer look unlikely but it's that unwillingness which also makes Bale a contender. He's already moved for a world record, who's to say he wouldn't demand a similar fee if he were to leave the Bernabeu?
Select the 'upvote' button for the players you think can challenge Pogba's record and the 'downvote' option for those who don't.