2017 Will be a year most remembered for some insane transfers with an exorbitant amount of money involved. Liverpool signed Virgil Van Dijk from Southampton for 75 million pounds - a world record fee for a defender. Though Brazilian footballer, Neymar switch from Barcelona to PSG for an earth-shattering fee of 198 million pounds, the changing football pattern has seen a paradigm shift in terms of the value of defenders. A defender in today’s world is no less expensive than a striker. Here we look the top 5 most expensive defenders deal in football history.

1. Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool) £ 75m

The Dutch defender was snapped up by Liverpool for an astonishing 75m pounds. This came as a Christmas shocker considering the fact that many teams were interested in the Van Dijk and background negotiations were in Progress with these clubs. For Jurgen Klopp, it is a massive recruitment as the defender has the Potential to be not Just the best in the league but also the world.

2. Kyle Walker (Manchester City) £ 54m 

The transfer saga of Kyle Walker was a never-ending affair with Spurs not keen to let go of such an iconic player. But Pep Guardiola desperate to bolster his defence had Walker identified as integral to his plans. Finally, an agreement was reached between Tottenham Hotspurs and Manchester City for 54m pounds. Walker has been in a tremendous form for City this season as Guardiola’s men break one record after another in EPL.

3. Benjamin Mendy (Manchester City) £ 52m 

The French defender joined Pep Guardiola’s Galácticos in a deal worth 52m pound. Starting the season brightly, Mendy was commanding in his position as left back. Unfortunately, his season came to a premature end in September, prompting Guardiola to call it a huge loss for the team. However, we are surely going to see the best of the French defender in years to come.

4. David Luiz (PSG) £ 50m

The temperamental Brazilian was brought in by French outfit PSG for staggering 50 m pounds, a fee somewhat inflated for an error-prone central defender. David Luiz had an unsettled time in France and after a brief spell was brought back by Chelsea again.

5. John Stones (Manchester City) £ 47.5m 

The golden boy of English football made his move from Everton to Manchester City for a staggering fee of 47.5 m pounds. Although he struggled in his first season for City often being targeted for his lack of reading of the game. This season he has been some sort of saving grace for the young Englishman. He still has a lot to learn in football but in terms of quality and personal, he has made great stories.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 04, 2018 06:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).