1) Andy Carroll

Price: £35million

Age: 22

Newcastle to Liverpool

January 2011

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.

2) Rio Ferdinand

Price: £31.1million

Age: 23 (at time of transfer)

Leeds to Manchester United

July 2002

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.

3) Wayne Rooney

Price: £25.6million

Age: 18

Everton to Manchester United

August 2004

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.

4) David Beckham

Price: £25million

Age: 27

Manchester United to Real Madrid

July 2003

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.

5) Darren Bent

Price: £24million (initial fee of £18m)

Age: 26

Sunderland to Aston Villa

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.

6) Joleon Lescott

Price: £22million

Age: 27

Everton to Manchester City

August 2009

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 five English transfers of all time.

7) Shaun Wright-Phillips

Price: £21million

Age: 22

Manchester City to Chelsea

July 2005

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.

8) Michael Carrick

Price: £18.6million

Age: 25

Tottenham to Manchester United

July 2006

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.

9) James Milner

Price £18million plus Stephen Ireland

Age: 24

Aston Villa to Manchester City

August 2010

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

10) Rio Ferdinand

Price: £18million

Age: 22

West Ham to Leeds

November 2000

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.