'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
In light of Barcelona's €120 million capture of Antoine Griezmann, the club became the first football side to spend €1 billion on transfers in the last five years.
This goes in stark contrast with their previous ethos of promoting La Masia players, with the most glorious period in the club's history coming off the back of a core of academy players. Messi, Xavi, Valdez, Puyol, Iniesta and Pique who were ingrained in the Blaugrana system.
However, it is largely not the fault of the club, as times have changed and Barcelona had to evolve with the times or risk being left behind the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid and PSG.
Trending
Following Griezmann's arrival, this means that three of the 10 most expensive players in history are currently on the books of Barcelona and the club would hope they can inspire them to the lofty heights of yesteryear.
In this piece, we shall have a rundown of the five costliest footballers in the history of the Blaugrana.
#5 Frenkie de Jong: Ajax - Barcelona £75m (2019)
Having had his breakthrough season with Ajax during the 2018/2019 season wherein he played a starring role in the Dutch side's spectacular campaign, Frenkie de Jong was rewarded with a massive transfer to Barcelona worth €75m.
The 22-year-old is supremely gifted with the ball at his feet and is pristine with his ball distribution so he would not have much difficulty adapting to Barcelona's style of play.
It is expected that he would continue his brilliant trajectory at the Camp Nou and if he reaches the heights expected of him, the Dutch international could very well be a mainstay in the Barcelona midfield for the next decade.
#4 Luis Suarez: Liverpool - Barcelona £75m (2014)
Luis Suarez had firmly established his reputation as one of the world's premier forwards in the world prior to his £75m move to Barcelona but he took his displays to new heights in Catalunya.
Despite starting his debut season in Barcelona with a four-month ban and struggling to blend in upon his return, the Uruguayan ended his first campaign with 25 goals in all competitions which remains his joint-lowest till date in his five seasons at the club.
The very next campaign, the 32-year-old starred with 40 La Liga goals, winning the Spanish Golden Boot, making him the first and till date the only player to win the award apart from Ronaldo and Messi since 2009.
In total, his spell at Barcelona has seen him score 177 goals from 247 appearances to sit 5th on the all time list of Barcelona's scorers while he has also brought 13 major honours.
#3 Ousmane Dembele: Dortmund - Barcelona £97m (2017)
Following Neymar's world record transfer to PSG in the summer of 2017, Barcelona needed a player to replace the Brazilian and they turned their attention to a certain youngster by the name of Ousmane Dembele, completing his purchase for the sum of £97m.
The French international had starred for one season with Dortmund in the Bundesliga and earned a reputation of being one of the highest-rated young forwards in Europe which was what convinced the Barcelona hierarchy to splash such a huge sum on him.
However a devastating injury suffered early in his debut season ended his campaign before it even started, while fitness issues and disciplinary problems have continued to hamper his development in Spain.
These issues meant that he has not proved his worth to Barcelona after two seasons and despite starring on occasions, there are indications that be could be on his way out of the club.
#2 Antoine Griezmann: Atletico Madrid - Barcelona £108m (2019)
After nearly two years of intense courtship and rejections, Barcelona finally signed Antoine Griezmann when they activated his release clause for the sum of £108m (€120m).
The French international had starred at Atletico Madrid for five seasons, helping the side to a Europa and UEFA Super League trophy in 2018 while also achieving two Ballon d'Or top three finishes in the process.
The 28-year-old is not universally welcome at Nou Camp, with many fans of the opinion that his public rejection of the club last summer represents the ultimate humiliation but even his worst detractor would admit that the World Cup winner ranks high up there with the best in the business.
Griezmann would hope to settle in well at Barcelona and aid in their quest to reclaim the Champions League after their humiliating eliminations in recent years.
#1 Philippe Coutinho: Liverpool - Barcelona £146m (2018)
Philippe Coutinho was made the most expensive player in Barcelona's history as well as the third costliest of all time when Barcelona paid the sum of £146m to Liverpool in January 2018.
His transfer had been a long drawn one and many Barcelona fans must have heaved a sigh of relief upon his signing, as Coutinho was seen as the long-term successor to the legendary Andres Iniesta in the Blaugrana midfield.
However, despite impressing significantly during his first half-season, things went downhill over the course of the 2018/2019 season, as Coutinho struggled for form and consistency, scoring just five goals from 45 matches in all competitions for Barcelona.
Just 18 months on from his arrival, there are high indications that Coutinho could be on his way out of the club with Liverpool and PSG among the clubs reportedly interested.
