Australia's Nicholas Timmings competes in the men's Skeleton World Cup in Altenberg, eastern Germany, on December 3, 2021. (Photo by Tobias Schwarz/AFP Photo)

Second placed Kalex Moto2 Tito Rabat (rear R) of Spain and third placed Kalex Moto2 Alex Rins of Spain spray with champagne during the award ceremony for the Czech Grand Prix in Brno, Czech Republic, August 16, 2015. (Photo by David W. Cerny/Reuters)

An Ivorian supporter celebrates after winning at the end of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 final football match between Ivory Coast and Nigeria at Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan on February 11, 2024. (Photo by Sia Kambou/AFP Photo)

A robot dog is seen before the Gujarat Titans versus Delhi Capitals match in the Indian Premier League in Ahmedabad, India on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Amit Dave/Reuters)

A runner in fancy dress attempts a record in the TCS London Marathon on Sunday, April 27, 2025. (Photo by John Sibley/Action Images via Reuters)

January 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders take a picture in the confetti after the game against the Green Bay Packers in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Atlanta defeated Green Bay 44-21. (Photo by Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports)

Football transfers are not cheap. To have a player strengthen their ranks, teams are willing to pay big money. The football transfer considered to be the most expensive in the sport's history was that of Gareth Bale leaving Tottenham to play at Real Madrid. The Spanish club paid not less than £86 million (about $133 million at today's exchange rates) to have the player among its own. But recent news suggest that this record might be broken this year. According to reports in the media, UK Premier League team Manchester United is willing to almost double that amount.

2016 Rio Olympics, Weightlifting, Final, Women's 69kg, Riocentro, Pavilion 2, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 10, 2016. Leidy Solis (COL) of Colombia competes. (Photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)