Lukas Podolski of Koeln is challenged by Philipp Wollscheid of Nuernberg during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Koeln and 1. FC Nuernberg at RheinEnergieStadion on April 3, 2011 in Cologne, Germany.

A series of Japanese good luck charms, called “Daruma”, are lined up ahead of the major national elections November 9, 2003 in Takasaki, Japan. The Daruma is said to bring exceptional good luck in all walks of life, but is used especially during election time by all candidates. People think that if they face a difficult situation, as symbolized by the doll that returns to its original position when knocked over, they will always bounce back. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)

A surfer in action during sunrise at Tynemouth on the north east coat of England on September 18, 2019. (Photo by Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images)

Spanish MotoGP rider Joan Mir (R) of Team Suzuki Ecstar and other MotoGP racers ride mini electric motorcycles at a fan event at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, Japan, 17 October 2019. The event was held ahead of the MotoGP race of Japan's Motorcycling Grand Prix scheduled for 20 October 2019. (Photo by Toru Hanai/EPA/EFE)

Ballroom dancers Andrei Toader and Mia Linnik-Holden compete in the “North of England Amateur Ballroom Dancing” competition at the 49th British National Dance Championships, in the Empress Ballroom of Blackpool's Winter Gardens, in Blackpool, north-west England, on November 21, 2024. The four-day British National Dance Championships have been taking place since 1975 with dancers competing in Ballroom and Latin dancing disciplines. (Photo by Oli Scarff/AFP Photo)

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.

Portugal's Diana Gomes in action during the UEFA Women's Euro England 2022 group C match between Netherlands and Portugal at Leigh Sports Village on July 13, 2022 in Leigh, United Kingdom. (Photo by Carl Recine/Reuters)

A Cameroon fan waits for the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group G football match between Switzerland and Cameroon at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on November 24, 2022. (Photo by Hannah Mckay/Reuters)