Premier League’s best value transfers revealed as Cristiano Ronaldo is pipped to top… and Man Utd star is voted worst

MOHAMED SALAH’S 2017 move from Roma to Liverpool has been voted the best value Premier League transfer of all time.

A poll of 2,000 football fans found the Egyptian star’s switch topped the poll, despite setting his club back £34m – as he has now bagged more than 200 goals for them.

And he also helped deliver a long-awaited Premier League title to the Merseyside club, as well as the Champions League trophy.

His move beat Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer from Lisbon to Manchester United, and Eric Cantona joining the Red Devils from Leeds.

The research was commissioned by iD Mobile, ahead of Transfer Deadline Day, which is celebrating customers on giant screens who make the switch to the mobile network.

The faces of new customers – who share their last name with famous footballers Kane, Grealish, Watkins and Kelly – were unveiled on giant screens outside Tottenham Court Road station.

Lewis Henry, of iD Mobile, said: “Getting the best value is important for all of us.

“Whether it be a player looking for a bumper new contract with a new club, or someone looking for a new phone contract.

“These findings show that an unexpected option can be worth it if you get good value for money, and they can be outstanding in the long run.

“Value in a crowded market can be tricky – just ask any Premier League club – but we know a good value deal is not just about the best or lowest price and it’s more about what you get back for your money instead.”

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On the poor-value side of things, Paul Pogba’s big-money switch to United from Juventus for £89m in 2016 was deemed the worst ever made.

This is made even more impactful by the fact the club had let him go as a youngster for almost nothing.

Andy Carroll’s £35m move to Liverpool on the final day of the transfer window in 2011 was voted second-worst value for money, followed by Romelu Lukaku’s switch from United to Chelsea.

Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal were deemed the best at identifying good value transfers, according to the OnePoll.com figures.

Nearly nine in 10 (87 per cent) believe Premier League sides massively overpay for players, and 56 per cent think there’s no such thing as good value in football transfers in the modern game.

While 95 per cent believe top-flight clubs should focus more on developing talent, rather than simply buying it in.

It also emerged 32 per cent of football fans use their handset to watch highlights, and 23 per cent scroll social media to gather views on recent games.

And 55 per cent admit they’re using their mobile phone ‘more than ever’ to keep on top of all the football.

But 35 per cent would rather their side’s bitterest rivals won the league – than they lose their phone.

Lewis Henry, of iD Mobile, which claims it save customers an average saving of £230 a year, said: “Keeping up with football isn’t just about waiting for the TV highlights on Saturday nights anymore.

“It’s possible to stream live games via your phone anywhere in the world and fans in the pre-2000’s era couldn’t have dreamed of this kind of access to the game.”