Every time the British transfer record has been broken in the Premier League era

The British record for transfer spend has ballooned over the Premier League era, with the most recent record-setting move coming in at nearly 32 times the amount set just before the inaugural 1992/93 campaign kicked off.

Those who still decry talk of the ‘Premier League era’ may be dismayed that we’re starting our list in 1992, but the alternative would mean talking through dozens and dozens of transfers dating back to 1893, so we’ve had to draw the line somewhere. Also, it’s been 32 years lads, let it go.

It’s also worth saying here that we’re only counting amounts spent by British clubs, not amounts received – so, for instance, Paul Gascoigne’s sale from Tottenham to Lazio in 1992 doesn’t make the list, despite being bigger and earlier than our first entry. There may also be some minor quibbles over exact amounts, particularly when it comes to decimal places and including add-ons, but we’ve gone with widely-reported figures.

Strangely, the Dutchman’s five years at the club coincided with a relative silverware dry spell: they won the Premier League just once in that time. That, plus increasing tensions with Ferguson and a training-ground bust-up with Cristiano Ronaldo, saw the young Portuguese preferred: Van Nistelrooy was sold to Real Madrid in 2006, leaving with a record of 150 goals in 219 appearances in all competitions.

Sensing an opportunity to succeed where they had failed with Steven Gerrard, Chelsea made a substantial offer for Torres’ services. Liverpool’s response was that their asking price was whatever Newcastle wanted for Andy Carroll, plus £15m. The Geordies obliged us all by playing a game of chicken with the two clubs that eventually saw Carroll move to Anfield for £35m, with Torres going to Stamford Bridge for £50m.