Brazil star Robinho's transfer to Manchester City from Real Madrid for £32.5 million caused shockwaves in football.

The Robinho deal, in September 2008, was a surprise because City had never spent that much before and everyone expected him to go to Roman Abramovich-funded Chelsea

However, the shock was nothing compared to the furore caused by Luis Figo's £38.7 million move from Barcelona to hated rivals Real Madrid in 2000. When the clubs clashed in the Champions League two years later, Figo was greeted at the Nou Camp by a hail of objects – including a pig's head.

The record transfer also involved Real Madrid, at the height of their "galacticos" period, when president Florentino Perez bought the world's greatest footballers.

With Figo already in the squad, the following year Perez raided the Italian League, signing French superstar Zinedine Zidane from Juventus for £46 million. That was the peak of spending madness.

The year before, Lazio had signed Argentina striker Hernan Crespo from Parma for £35.5 million and have suffered since for their spending.

Gianluigi Buffon's switch to Juventus from Parma for £32.6 million is still the record fee for a goalkeeper.

Chelsea have splashed big of course, but may have regretted spending £30.8 million on AC Milan's Andrey Shevchenko in 2006.

The Ukraine striker scored nine goals in 47 games for the London club before returning to Milan on loan. An expensive mistake.

Manchester United are also big spenders. They paid Leeds £29.1 million for Rio Ferdinand, Tottenham £30.75 million for Dimitar Berbatov, and Everton £27 million for Wayne Rooney, but Sir Alex Ferguson may wish to forget the £28.1 million paid to Chelsea for Juan Sebastian Veron.