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B€$t XI

As Philippe Coutinho joins Barcelona for a Premier League record £145million, check out the most expensive XI in the world worth a staggering £1billion

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PHILIPPE COUTINHO broke the hearts of Liverpool fans across the globe when it was announced he had finally clinched his dream move to Barcelona.

The "Little Magician" set the La Liga giants back an astonishing £145million - a record for a transfer involving a Premier League side.

Philippe Coutinho broke the Premier League record with his £145m move
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Philippe Coutinho broke the Premier League record with his £145m moveCredit: AFP

With Coutinho's move now officially in the books, we take a look at the most expensive XI on the planet and see just how well they would fare.

Kylian Mbappe does not make the team as his £162m move to Paris Saint-Germain is not made permanent until the summer.

However, we've compiled the rest of the world's wallet-breakers below, in a ferociously attacking 3-4-3 formation - costing a staggering £1.02BILLION...

GOALKEEPER

Man City stopper Ederson is now the most-expensive goalkeeper in the world
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Man City stopper Ederson is now the most-expensive goalkeeper in the worldCredit: Reuters

Ederson

GIANLUIGI BUFFON had been the world's most expensive goalkeeper for close to two decades, after his £30m move from Parma to Juventus.

However, former Benfica stopper Ederson finally overtook him last summer when he joined Manchester City in a £35m deal.

With the likes of Thibaut Courtois and David De Gea reportedly on the move in the coming months, Ederson could well be overtaken soon.

But for now, he is the No1 amongst No1s for highest transfer fees...

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Philippe Coutinho has joined Barcelona for £145m - Here are his best bits for Liverpool

DEFENDERS

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk is the most expensive defender on the planet
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Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk is the most expensive defender on the planetCredit: Reuters

Kyle Walker, David Luiz, Virgil van Dijk

VAN DIJK recently shattered the world-record transfer fee for a defender when he finally swapped Southampton for Liverpool.

The Reds ace broke the record earlier set by Man City's Walker just last summer at a touch over £50m.

Prior to that, Luiz's move from PSG back to Chelsea in 2016 set the Blues back a staggering £50m.

MIDFIELERS

Gareth Bale cost Real Madrid £86m when he joined from Tottenham
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Gareth Bale cost Real Madrid £86m when he joined from TottenhamCredit: AP:Associated Press

Gareth Bale, Paul Pogba, Philippe Coutinho, Cristiano Ronaldo

THIS midfield would absolutely scare any opposition defence witless with its phenomenal attacking prowess.

With a wing pairing of Bale, £86m from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2013 and Ronaldo, £80m in 2009 from Man United to Real, the full-backs would have it all to do.

But with £145m-man Coutinho in the middle of the park alongside former world-record transferee Pogba, the XI would be absolutely packed with goals.

Paul Pogba was the most expensive player in the world before Neymar's move
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Paul Pogba was the most expensive player in the world before Neymar's moveCredit: PA:Empics Sport
It's official - Neymar Jr is now the world's most expensive footballer

FORWARDS

Neymar is the most expensive player on the planet, costing £198m
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Neymar is the most expensive player on the planet, costing £198mCredit: CHARLES PLATIAU

Ousmane Dembele, Luis Suarez, Neymar

NEYMAR of course shattered the world-record transfer fee when he swapped Barcelona for PSG in the summer in an outrageous £198m deal.

The Ligue 1 ace was replaced by ex-Borussia Dortmund forward Dembele days later in a £138m move of his own.

The pair are joined by another Barca star, Suarez, who is one of a number of strikers to have been sold forr £75m.

Along with the former Liverpool man, Romelu Lukaku and Gonzalo Higuain also signed for the current clubs for the sky-high fee... with Suarez getting the nod in our XI.

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