This discussion on valuation is something I just don't get. People seem to have a massively distorted view of the game thanks to Ronaldo. So, just for the sake of it, let's go slightly further back in the game. Before Ronaldo (let's forget the pesky Kaka fee), Zidane was the most expensive player in the world. He cost Real Madrid GBP 57 Mn at the age of 29. He only ever scored 10 or more league goals in a season once (for Bordeaux in 1992-93). His season-high for goals scored was 12 (across all competitions). Here's the context:
Age: 29
Resale value: 0
Real Madrid income (from Deloitte Money League) in 2000/01: 138 Mn Euros
That figure today stands at 577 Mn Euros
Before Zidane, the record-holder was Figo. He had a nearly identical scoring record to Zidane.
My point is that people have got this massively mistaken idea that clubs pay / should pay for players based on the goal-scoring prowess alone. Fact is, this view has been massively distorted by Ronaldo's (and Messi's) goal-scoring exploits. Take them aside and you'll realise that before these guys, a player who scored 20+ a season was a phenomenon. 25 in the league? That was considered a minor miracle.
When you look at Pogba, he's (at just 23) scoring as many as Zidane was scoring (for the same club) when Madrid made their move. As a % of revenues, the proposed fee is dwarfed by what Madrid paid for both Zidane and Figo.
Even for United (mentioned long time ago on this same thread), fee as % of revenue will not be the highest for Pogba (Rio and Veron will remain higher). Those above him in the table were not goalscorers either.
Hmm... just glad to have got that off my chest. Irritates me no end when rival fans start this rubbish... Maddens me when some of our lot do the same!
