We’ve dipped into the archives to put together the top six most expensive Australian footballers.

6. Vince Grella

Torino to Blackburn Rovers, $7.4million

The 46-time Socceroos midfielder was bought by Paul Ince at then-Premier League outfit Blackburn in 2008, having spent almost the previous decade in Italy’s top two divisions.

He had been linked with Fulham as well, but Blackburn made a holding midfielder a priority and got their man. Ince said he was a “bargain buy”. Unfortunately it didn’t work out, with injuries plaguing Grella’s time at Ewood Park. He ultimately made 38 appearances in four seasons and left upon the conclusion of his original four-year deal.

5. Harry Kewell

Leeds United to Liverpool, $8.8million

There is some confusion about the actual figure that the Reds outlaid for Kewell’s services in 2003, with a portion going to the player’s unregistered agent Bernie Mandic, but $8.8m is the public number.

Kewell had fielded interest from several big European clubs including AC Milan, Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United before settling for Gerard Houllier’s Liverpool. Like Grella, injuries hampered Kewell’s time at Anfield, making less than 100 appearances in five years, with reports he cost the club $331,000 per match.

4. Mat Ryan

Club Brugge to Valencia, $9.7million

The current Socceroos number one moved to Spanish giants Valencia from Belgian Cup winners Club Brugge in 2015 on a six-year deal as a 23-year-old. Ryan had just won the Belgian Pro League Goalkeeper of the Year award in back-to-back seasons prompting the interest.

Ryan’s time at Los Che hasn’t quite worked out as hoped since his switch, never establishing himself as the side’s first choice stopper. He’s made 23 appearances in two seasons in Spain but was loaned out to Genk in Belgium last season and has been heavily linked with Brighton & Hove Albion more recently.

3. Mark Bresciano

Empoli to Parma, $9.8million

Back in 2002, Bresciano made a big-money move as a 22-year-old to Parma, who at the time were a huge club, having won the UEFA Cup in 1995 and 1999, along with the Coppa Italia in 1992, 1999 and 2002.

Bresciano admitted as much upon the move from lowly Empoli, stating "the structure of the club, the facilities, its popularity means you are under a lot more pressure to get a result”. The midfielder did well at the Crociati, spending four years there in Italy’s top flight and making almost 150 appearances before joining Palermo in 2006 where he enjoyed another four Serie A seasons.

1= Brad Smith

Liverpool to Bournemouth, $10.5million

After a breakout season of sorts at Anfield, Smith landed a swift move to emerging Premier League club Bournemouth which caught a few off guard given the size of the deal for an unheralded 22-year-old left-back.

Smith had made 10 appearances at Liverpool in 2015-16 but in a variety of competitions as Jurgen Klopp dipped into his squad. The left-back did well at times, but Eddie Howe’s side paid plenty for a talent only used five times in 2016-17, with Smith unable to dislodge Charlie Daniels.

1= Mark Viduka

Celtic to Leeds United, $10.5million

The V-Bomber sits equal top of the list and justified his price tag with a stellar spell at Elland Road. Viduka moved south of the Scottish border in 2000 to join David O’Leary’s Leeds where he’d play alongside Harry Kewell.

The big Australian striker delivered by scoring 72 goals in 166 appearances for the Whites, as the club enjoyed several UEFA Champions League campaigns. However, Leeds hit financial trouble, forcing them to sell big names and eventually, despite Viduka’s best efforts, were relegated in 2004. Upon their demotion, Viduka left for Middlesbrough.