Spurs Transfers: 10 Most Wildly Over-Priced Signings Ever

By K.J. Stewart / July 18, 2014

3. David Bentley (£15 Million)

David Bentley signed for Spurs in 2008 for £15 million. At the time of his arrival, he was the third most expensive signing in Tottenham's history - after Luka Modric and Darren Bent. Much was expected of the England winger, as he had performed brilliantly for Blackburn Rovers in previous seasons and many had labelled him as the next David Beckham - but how wrong those people were.

Bentley flattered to deceive at White Hart Lane and contributed very little to warrant his cost. Apart from one 43 yard dipping volley against his former club - and Spurs' most bitter rivals - Arsenal, his time at Spurs will be remembered for nothing more than its emphatic failure. He was shipped out on loan no less than four times to fellow Premier League side Birmingham City, West Ham United when they were playing in the Championship, FC Rostov in Russia and his former Blackburn Rovers. None of these spells were fruitful and he returned to Spurs no better for each of them, before being released on the 7th of June in 2013.

Bentley couldn't find a new club for more than a year after his release, so he announced his retirement from professional football on the 13th of June in 2014. He has stated in an interview that he had fallen out of love with football, claiming that the modern game had become robotic, due mostly to the influence of social media and money, and said the game was predictable and a bit too calculated. He argued that his other main reason for retiring was the fact that he wanted to spend more time with his family, but the fact is he had no choice nobody wanted him and Spurs effectively wasted £15 million on him.