Roy Keane Believes This Former United Player Would Be Worth £2 Billion In Today’s Market
REUTERS/Carl Recine
In the modern day, world transfer business in football has taken a surge in the hyper-inflated market, and as players go in for mega bucks, Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane believes the numbers are crazy.
The Manchester United legend, who played alongside the biggest names in football during his time at Old Trafford under Alex Ferguson, has gone on to claim some of his teammates would have attracted billions in today’s market scenario.
Keane stated in the Irish Independent that players like Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, and Ruud van Nistelrooy would have garnered some massively hefty prices in today’s market.
“Ruud would certainly be worth in the market now probably a billion. David Beckham? A billion. Ryan Giggs? Two billion,” said the evergreen midfielder.
Giggs spent his entire professional career at Manchester United and played 963 times for the club, while he scored 168 goals. Nistelrooy and Beckham too, played for a significant amount of time at Old Trafford, before leaving for Real Madrid.
The European transfer market has seen sums go several notches ahead this summer, after Paul Pogba’s £89m move to United from Juventus last term. Pogba was the most expensive player till recent times, as Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona went on to break the record this month.
PSG signed Neymar after activating the Brazilian’s release clause at Barca for £198m. The Catalans then went on to fetch teenager Ousman Dembele from Borussia Dortmund for £98m plus add-ons.
Another teenage sensation, Kylian Mbappe, is also on his way to PSG from Monaco in a stunning £166m deal which will be completed next season after an initial loan move.
Keane went on to make a cheeky reply when asked how much would he cost in the present day: “£3.75 million, I think,” referring to the amount United paid Nottingham Forest for his services. The former Red Devil also went on to criticise the market trend, claiming that average players too, rule the roost, which is a shock.
“It’s mind-boggling, the figures that are out there – especially for the average players. If ever there was a time to be a professional player it’s now. Average players are going for £35 million. My goodness,” he concluded.
Written by Rajdeep Saha 
Sports journalist with stints across print, digital and television. Contribution to each medium has been thrilling. Experienced in writing for this passionate game called football. Journalist by choice and passion.