4. Richard Wright
£6 million is a hefty amount for any goalkeeper, but let's put this amount into context. Wright was just 23 when signing for Arsenal in 2001, and the amount paid for him was the second most paid for a goalkeeper in Premier League history. His lone season at the Gunners ended with just 12 appearances before Wright was shipped off to Everton. The 2-time England international was brought into the club by Arsene Wenger with the intention of becoming a long-term replacement for goalkeeping standout David Seaman, as well as competition for Alex Manninger. His first season was one full of ups-and-downs and ultimately ended on a down. Wright's season started brightly and, after an injury to Seaman, it seemed that first team football was on the horizon for the Englishman. Boy, was he wrong. Wright went on to punch the ball in his own net in a calamitous display against Charlton, then limped off with an injury in a Champions League fixture against Deportivo. Before long, he slipped to third in the pecking order behind fellow Englishman Stuart Taylor and his only appearances came in their FA Cup winning run (though he did not appear in the final itself). Despite winning both an FA Cup winners medal and the Premier League trophy, Wright was imminently sold to Premier League rivals Everton for almost half his original cost. Surely this signing, as well as a signing which is mentioned in the latter part of this article, is reason to believe that Arsene Wenger will avoid signing English players at all cost. And there is no wonder why, Wright had a poor first season and did not show the sort of promise that the French manager believed that he possessed. A Seaman replacement he was not, and now Richard plies his time making money to play for Manchester City's reserve team (though his contract expires shortly and most likely will not be renewed).
Transfer fee: £6 million.