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Elegant, creative and technically gifted, the attacking midfielder has often been the most eye-catching player during a football game.
In today's day and age, with emphasis on speed, managers prefer to play with pacy wingers capable of stretching the play. This has seen the languid no.10 being used less and less by top teams across Europe.
Some of the greatest players to have played the game have been attacking midfielders, but they are currently a dying breed. Even players who made their name as a no.10 are being utilized in central midfield or on the wings.
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With that being said, we look at the 5 most expensive attacking midfielders of all time.
#5 James Rodriguez (AS Monaco to Real Madrid) | €75 million
A successful 2014 FIFA World Cup saw James Rodriguez coveted by some of the biggest clubs in the world. He ultimately joined Real Madrid from AS Monaco for a fee of €75 million.
The Colombia international enjoyed a good start to his Real Madrid career, with his creativity and technical skills standing out. However, the arrival of Zinedine Zidane as manager saw Rodriguez's minutes dwindle, and the midfielder joined Bayern Munich on a two-year loan deal in 2017.
The 29-year old made 125 appearances in all competitions for Los Blancos, scoring 37 goals and providing 42 assists. He currently plays for Everton, where he has enjoyed a good first season in the Premier League.
#4 Kevin De Bruyne (Vfl Wolfsburg to Manchester City) | €76 million
One of the best players in world football right now, Kevin De Bruyne has proved to be worth every penny of the €76 million Manchester City paid to Wolfsburg for his services in 2015.
Eyebrows were raised when the transfer fee was revealed, with fingers pointed at De Bruyne's Chelsea stint which had not gone according to plan. The Belgium international, however, has responded in emphatic fashion with consistent world-class performances for Manchester City.
A highly creative player with excellent passing and crossing ability, De Bruyne is a key cog in Pep Guardiola's Manchester City. The 29-year old has made 260 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 66 goals and providing 106 assists. De Bruyne recently signed a new contract with Manchester City, extending his deal until 2025.
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#3 Zinedine Zidane (Juventus to Real Madrid) | €77.5 million
Young football fans might know Zinedine Zidane as a world-class manager, but his legacy as a player can only be matched by a select few.
An elegant attacking midfielder who is regarded by many as one of the greatest players to have played the game, Zidane made his name at Cannes and Bordeaux, joining Juventus in 1996 and establishing himself as one of the best players in the world.
However, it was his spell with Real Madrid and the French national team that garnered the most attention. Zidane joined Real Madrid in 2001 and helped the club win La Liga and the Champions League.
He even scored one of the best goals in the Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2001/02 final. He is currently in his second spell as manager of Los Blancos.
#2 Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea) | €80 million
Chelsea enjoyed a stunning summer transfer window last time around, and the cherry on the top of the cake was the acquisition of Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen for €80 million.
Regarded as one of the best young players in Europe, Havertz scored 18 goals in all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen last season, piquing the interest of some of the biggest clubs in the world. Chelsea managed to sign the 21-year old, and it was evident that the Blues were investing in Havertz's immense potential.
Havertz has endured a rather average first season at Chelsea. The Germany international has made 43 appearances in all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing nine assists.
There have been glimpses of his undeniable quality though, and Havertz has clearly improved since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel as manager. More will be expected from him next season.
#1 Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona) | €135 million
Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona from Liverpool for €135 million has to go down as one of the worst deals in recent history.
Coutinho had been in good form for Liverpool for some time and, on his insistence, Liverpool allowed him to join Barcelona in January 2018 for an eye-watering fee. The Brazil international was hailed as an ideal capture by the Catalan club, a player who would provide creativity and versatility in attack and in midfield.
That has not been the case. Barcelona started unraveling pretty soon after Coutinho's arrival, and the Brazilian has struggled to get going at the club. He has made 90 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona, scoring 23 goals and providing 14 assists.
However, the moment when the deal became embarrassing for Barcelona was when Coutinho, who was on loan at Bayern Munich during the 2019/20 season, scored twice against his parent club during Barcelona's infamous 8-2 thrashing by Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
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