The figures are misleading without taking inflation into account.
There is a formula for this mate.
There is actually a calculated method to assert the nominal fees for these players if you follow the time line of inflation in England. According to a
report in the Guardian newspaper, England's inflation rate has been at a steady 2.7% since 1948. However, the
Consumer Price Index (CPI), as set by the National Bank of England, puts the cumulative CPI at 77.1%.
Having said that, these increases in inflation do not represent the current movement of price fluctuations in the English Premier League. According to
The Transfer Price Index, the rate of inflation in the game sits at 730% in during the 20 years of the Premier League.
We paid a then British record transfer fee of a reported £2.5M for Paul Gascoigne in 1999.
But by following the TPI valuation of 730%, we can make a pretty accurate estimation of the current transfer price of players from the past.
730% of £2,500,000.00 = £18,250,000.00 + £2,500,000.00 = £20,750,000.00