Top 10 transfers

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At-a-glance guide to the biggest deals in British transfer history

Andy Carroll's move to Liverpool from Newcastle has smashed the record fee for a British player. Here we take an at-a-glance guide to the biggest deals in Premier League history.

Andy Carroll - Newcastle to Liverpool: £35m

Liverpool raised several eyebrows as they broke the British transfer record to bring in the relatively unproven Andy Carroll, in what some described as a panic move with Fernando Torres still in the process of pushing through a move to Chelsea. However, Carroll, at 22, has all the tools he needs to be an Anfield star for years to come, so Liverpool may yet get a great return on their investment.

Rio Ferdinand - Leeds to Man Utd: £31.1m

Remains the most expensive English defender following Sir Alex Ferguson's swoop on rivals Leeds for the England international centre-half in 2002. It has been a good move for both club and player although Ferdinand has been cursed by injury in the last few seasons.

Wayne Rooney - Everton to Man Utd: £25.6m

At a time when United had cash to splash, Sir Alex Ferguson made another shrewd move into the market to land the golden boy of English soccer in August 2004. It has paid off handsomely with striker Rooney now regarded as England's top player, although he suffered a dreadful World Cup showing this summer and has been off-colour for much of the season, which was also marked by a transfer request before he signed a new contract.

David Beckham - Man Utd to Real Madrid: £25m

Sir Alex Ferguson cashed in on United's favourite son in July 2003 to the tune of £25m. A clever sale by Sir Alex as midfielder Beckham never reached the same dizzy heights he had scaled during his time at Old Trafford.

Darren Bent - Sunderland to Villa: £24m

Villa, fighting relegation at the time, made the surprise swoop for Bent, who gave up the chance of playing for a place in Europe with the Black Cats to move to the Midlands. The England striker has a prolific record in the Premier League, and Villa hope he can fire them up the table. The initial fee was £18million but will rise to £24million with add-ons.

Joleon Lescott - Everton to Man City: £22m

Surely a transfer that proves there is too much money floating about in the pockets of foreign investors. Defender Lescott's move has hardly been a success and yet he is among the top English transfers of all time.

Shaun Wright-Phillips Man City to Chelsea: £21m

Chelsea hardly covered themselves in glory when they paid £21m for flying England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips. His time at Stamford Bridge was disappointing and he inevitably he rejoined City in August 2008 for less than half the price Chelsea paid.

Michael Carrick: Spurs to Man Utd: £18.6m

A surprise move by Sir Alex Ferguson but one that has paid off for United. Midfielder Carrick won the title in his first three seasons with the club and quickly became the lynchpin of the midfield. Money well spent.

James Milner - Villa to Man City: £18m plus Stephen Ireland

England midfielder Milner has been solid if not spectacular since moving to Eastlands, but his workrate in midfield is highly valued by Roberto Mancini.

Rio Ferdinand - West Ham to Leeds: £18m

Ferdinand makes the list for a second time but he was much more of a rookie defender when Leeds shelled out £18 million for him in November 2000. His progress at Elland Road eventually prompted Ferguson to make him England's most expensive player.

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