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Paul Pogba, Cristiano Ronaldo Gareth Bale: Most expensive XI ever

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08:  (MINIMUM FEES APPLY - MINIMUM PRINT/BROADCAST FEE OF 150 GBP, ONLINE FEE OF 75 GBP, OR LOCAL EQUIVALENT) (EXCLUSIVE COVER

Paul Pogba has finally completed his world record £89m transfer from Juventus to Manchester United.

The France international has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford, becoming Jose Mourinho's fourth major signing of the summer.

The £89m fee puts him ahead of Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, and it could rise even higher with add-ons.

Let's take a look at where Pogba fits into our most expensive XI...

transfer

We start in goal with Juventus and Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon, who moved from Parma to Juventus for £32.6m in 2001 and remains the most expensive goalkeeper 15 years later.

His defence is marshalled by David Luiz, who left Chelsea for Paris Saint-Germain in a £40m deal, and John Stones, who just sealed his £47.5m move from Everton to Manchester City.

<<enter caption here>> at JJB Stadium on July 16, 2016 in Wigan, England.
Image: Luke Shaw came through the Southampton academy before moving to Man Utd
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The full-back positions are occupied by Lilian Thuram and Luke Shaw. Former France international Thuram left Parma for Juve alongside team-mate Buffon, while Shaw became the most expensive left-back ever when he moved from Southampton to Man Utd two years ago.

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In midfield, Pogba is joined by James Rodriguez, who made a £63m move from Monaco to Real Madrid having starred at the 2014 World Cup with Colombia

James Rodriguez of Real Madrid celebrates scoring the opening goal
Image: James Rodriguez starred at the 2014 World Cup before moving to Real Madrid

Our 4-2-3-1 formation comes into its own up front, allowing us to play three forwards behind a main striker.

Gareth Bale celebrates scoring against Man City
Image: Gareth Bale also came through the Southampton academy, before moving on to Tottenham and then Real Madrid
Is Bale the real star?
Is Bale the real star?

Gareth Bale can become Real Madrid's most important player now

Gareth Bale is guaranteed a spot having become the most expensive player in football history when he moved from Tottenham to Real for £85.3m in 2013, eclipsing Cristiano Ronaldo's previous world-record mark.

The Portugal international moved from Man Utd to Real for £80m, while Neymar is the third attacker thanks to his £73.7m move from Santos to Barcelona in 2013.

Barcelona forward Neymar celebrates
Image: Neymar has formed a potent partnership at Barcelona with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi

Until recently, the central striker position would have been occupied by Luis Suarez of Barcelona, but Gonzalo Higuain's record-breaking move earned the former Napoli man the leading place.

His £75.3m transfer to Juve is more than £10m more than Barca paid Liverpool for Suarez two summers ago.

Gonzalo Higuain of Napoli celebrates after scoring his team's second goal goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Genoa
Image: Gonzalo Higuain eclipses Luis Suarez as the most expensive striker

Top 10 most expensive transfers

  1. Paul Pogba
    Juventus to Manchester United - £89m
  2. Gareth Bale
    Tottenham to Real Madrid - £85.3m
  3. Cristiano Ronaldo 
    Man Utd to Real Madrid - £80m
  4. Gonzalo Higuain 
    Napoli to Juventus - £75.3m
  5. Neymar
    Santos to Barcelona - £73.7m
  6. Luis Suarez 
    Liverpool to Barcelona - £65m
  7. James Rodriguez 
    Monaco to Real Madrid - £63m
  8. Angel Di Maria 
    Real Madrid to Man Utd - £59.7m
  9. Kaka
    AC Milan to Real Madrid - £59m
  10. Edinson Cavani 
    Napoli to PSG - £55m

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