Football's most expensive XI of all time

Centre-Backs: John Stones (£47.5m) and David Luiz (£40m)

John Stones is now the most expensive defender of all time

After Chelsea chased him with three unsuccessful bids last season ranging from £20m to £30m, it was Manchester City who finally prised John Stones away from Everton with a massive £47.5m bid. Jose Mourinho had tried all summer in 2015 and ultimately failed to get his man prior to a disastrous season. Pep Guardiola, however, got his man.

The 22-year-old English defender has been a target for numerous clubs in England and abroad and the transfer fee makes him the most expensive defender of all time. A strong defender who is comfortable with the ball at his feet, he seems to be a perfect fit for Guardiola’s style of play of working the ball out from the back.

David Luiz was the most expensive centre-back when he moved to PSG

His centre-back partner is David Luiz. The Brazilian was the most expensive defender at the time when cash-rich Paris Saint-Germain paid big money to build a squad capable of not just competing for trophies but winning them as well.

Chelsea let him go for £40m in 2014 and Luiz teamed up with his Brazil teammate and Thiago Silva (who had joined PSG for £36m in 2012). The signing has been a successful one for PSG and Luiz who has won eight trophies since, including two league titles and two French Cups.