The top British transfer fees - and how they rate

1. Andriy Shevchenko - Milan to Chelsea, £30m (2006)
Value-for-money rating: Too early to say, but £30m for someone who turns 30 next month would be a huge risk for anyone but Chelsea. 7/10.

2. Rio Ferdinand - Leeds United to Manchester United, £29.1m (2002).
Value-for-money rating: Ferdinand's played well for United, but three trophies in four seasons isn't a spectacular return. And then there were those eight months out for forgetting to attend a drugs test. 7/10.

3. Juan Sebastian Veron - Lazio to Manchester United, £28.1m (2003)
Value-for-money rating: A disaster from almost beginning to end, one glorious cameo against Everton apart. 1/10.

4. Wayne Rooney - Everton to Manchester United, £27m (2004)
Value-for-money rating: Thirty-six goals in 81 appearances may appear slim pickings, but having been played in a variety of positions, his all-round game continues to develop apace. 8/10.

5. David Beckham - Manchester United to Real Madrid, £25m (2003)
Value-for-money rating: Off the pitch, Beckham has swelled Real's coffers like never before and on it, he's earned consistently good reviews. But Real haven't won sausage in three years. 7/10.

6. Michael Essien - Lyon to Chelsea £24.4m (2005)
Value-for-money rating: Despite being sensational for Lyon, and equally good for Ghana during the World Cup, Essien has only shown occasional glimpses of his best form in England. 4/10.

7. Didier Drogba - Marseille to Chelsea, £24m (2004)
Value-for-money rating: Sometimes Drogba has been unplayable - remember his display in Chelsea's 4-1 win at Anfield? - but more often than not he's promised more than he's delivered. 6/10.

8. Nicolas Anelka - Arsenal to Real Madrid, £23.5m (2000)
Value-for-money rating: A flop in Spain. Undoubtedly, one of Ars?ne Wenger's best deals. 1/10.

9. Marc Overmars - Arsenal to Barcelona, £21.6m (2000)
Value-for-money rating: Never delivered for Barcelona the way he did for Arsenal. Another astute Wenger move. 3/10.

10. Shaun Wright-Phillips - Manchester City to Chlelsea £21m (2005)
Value-for-money rating: Looked the next big thing this time last year, but has sunk without trace at Stamford Bridge. 1/10.

11. Ricardo Carvalho - Porto to Chelsea, £19.85m (2003)
Value-for-money rating: Solid and usually unflappable, but you expect perhaps a little more from a £20m signing. 6/10.

12. Ruud van Nistelrooy - PSV to Manchester United, £19m. (2001)
Value-for-money rating: Was sensational for three seasons, and won the Premiership almost single-handedly in 2003. But his decline has been rapid. 9/10.

13. Michael Carrick - Tottenham to Manchester United, £18.6m (2006)
Value-for-money rating: Sir Alex Ferguson spoke recently of his need to find a new Roy Keane; Carrick though plays more like Juan Veron. A huge risk at nearly £19m. 3/10.