Luis Figo made the controversial transfer back in 2000.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is reportedly eyeing a repeat of Luis Figo’s controversial transfer by targeting a Barcelona star.
Back in 2000, Figo shocked European football by ditching Barcelona for fierce rivals Madrid, in a deal worth a reported fee of €62 million.
At that time, Los Blancos matched the Portuguese’s release clause, which was also a world record transfer fee.
Barcelona fans were left fuming and accused Figo of betraying the club.
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Figo went on to play 245 times for Madrid, scoring 58 goals and winning two La Liga titles and one Champions League, among other trophies.
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Recently, it has been reported that Madrid are looking to repeat the Figo transfer.
As reported by Spanish news outlet ElDesmarque, journalist Siro Lopez claimed that Madrid are interested in signing Barcelona star Pedri.
It has been stated that it would be an ‘impossible signing’ but it is the ‘dream’ of President Perez.
Pedri has been linked with a shock move to Real Madrid. Image: Getty
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The journalist said: “The player that Real Madrid wants to incorporate for the 2027-28 season, according to information that has been sent to Juan Gato, is Pedri.
“You will agree with me that it would be a bomb, only at the height of what happened with Luis Figo in the 2000-01 season. It’s not just that you reinforce yourself, it’s that you take away an essential player from Barcelona.”
Pedri, 23, is one of the best players in world football and an important part of Hansi Flick’s plans.
Since joining Barcelona from Las Palmas, Pedri has made 227 appearances for the Catalan giants, scoring 28 times.
To make matters harder for Madrid, the Spaniard is contracted with Barcelona until 2030 and has a mammoth release clause that has reportedly been set at €1 billion.
Another journalist, Roberto Gomez, also confirmed the news. He said: “The player Florentino Pérez wants is Pedri. I’m just saying two words to you, Luis Figo.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Football, Luis Figo, Pedri
Marcus Chan
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Published 17:11 13 Jun 2025 GMT+1
Mindblowing Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo adjusted transfer fees shows just how much money Real Madrid have
The European giants have not been afraid to splash the cash in previous transfer windows.
The mind-blowing adjusted transfer fees of Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo highlight just how much money Real Madrid have spent over the years.
A new leaderboard reveals the most expensive transfers ever, Real Madrid dominating the list.
Action Network commissioned the creation of the Football Transfer Window Price Index, which uses a special interest rate to calculate the value of historic transfers in 2025.
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The 15-time Champions League winners have never been afraid to flex their financial muscle in the transfer market.
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In 2001, they signed Zinedine Zidane from Juventus for £46 million, a fee that the Football Transfer Window Price Index now equates to an astonishing £471 million.
The Frenchman scored one of the most iconic Champions League goals ever against Bayer Leverkusen and also won one La Liga title.
He later returned as manager and became the first person in history to win three consecutive Champions League titles.
A year before Zizou, Real Madrid made the hugely controversial signing of Luis Figo from arch-rivals at FC Barcelona for £37 million, now valued at £397 million.
Figo won the Ballon d’or in 2000 and was one of the first Galactico’s signed by Madrid in the 2000s.
Paris Saint-Germain Football / Contributor via Getty Images
Third on the list is more recent move of Neymar from Barcelona to PSG for £200 million, now worth £358 million.
Despite winning five Ligue 1 titles, he was plagued by injuries and he was unable to deliver the Champions League PSG craved.
Next is Hernan Crespo’s £35.5 million transfer from Parma to Lazio in 2000, now valued at £339 million. Crespo was the Serie A’s top scorer in his first season, but was sold to Inter at the end of his second campaign.
Manchester United’s £28.1 million deal for Juan Sebastian Veron in 2001 comes, adjusted to £313 million. Veron struggled to establish himself in United’s midfield and was sold to Chelsea two summers later.
ullstein bild / Contributor via Getty Images
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In sixth place is Rui Costa’s £26.7 million move from Fiorentina to Milan in 2000, now worth £308 million. He spent five years in Milan and played a key role as they won the Champions League in 2003.
Next is Gaizka Mendieta’s disastrous £28 million from Valencia to Lazio, valued at £298 million. The midfieler did not score in his 20 Serie A appearances.
Ninth on the list is Cristiano Ronaldo’s £80 million move from Man United to Real Madrid, now worth £293 million.
Ronaldo became the club’s record goalscorer, winning four Champions Leagues and four Ballon d’Ors.
The list is completed by Christian Vieri’s £32.1 million transfer from Lazio to Inter in 1999, now valued £284 million. He scored an impressive 103 goals in 143 games, but the team did not replicate his form.