Football: Top 10 most profitable transfers

David Beckham (left) signs papers with Real Madrid President Florentino Perez at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium after moving from Manchester United (Getty Images)

Huge sums of money get dished out every year on footballers, some of the being in a different orbit altogether. Football, ultimately though is a for-profit-business undertaking these days. And that’s why, its clubs that make the most profit out of a player’s transfer that are the biggest gainers at the end of the day.  Here are the top 10 most profitable transfers in club football:

#10 Pavel Nedved (Lazio to Juventus, 2001)

Bought for: £3m Sold for: £36m Profit: £33m

Juve’s Pavel Nedved celebrates a goal during a Serie A game between Sampdoria and Juventus in 2006 (Getty Images)

The long-haired midfielder from the Czech Republic is amongst the finest players to have ever emerged from his country. Nedved was one of the most influential playmakers of his time known for his energetic and tireless running from midfield as well as his long range shooting abilities. He was nicknamed Furia Ceca by Italian fans and ‘The Czech Cannon’ by the English speaking media. Nedved won the Ballon d’Or in 2003 playing in Juve’s famous black and white strip.

Lazio pocketed a £33m profit when they sold him to rivals Juventus in 2001, as the Old Lady looked to replace their departed maestro in Zinedine Zidane.