Football: Top 10 most profitable transfers

3. Hernan Crespo (Parma to Lazio, 2000)

Bought for: £2m Sold for: £51m Profit: £49m

Hernan Crespo of Lazio in action during the Serie A match between Piacenza and Lazio, in 2000 (Getty Images)

Probably the pioneering big money move in football, Lazio paid £35m plus Matias Almeyda and Sergio Conceicao (who were worth £16m put together) for Argentine striker Hernan Crespo. The striker rewarded the Roman side with 48 goals over 2 seasons before he moved on to Inter Milan. 13 years on, it is still the third most profitable transfer ever conducted.