Signing a good forward is always expensive. Putting the ball in the back of the net is the hardest job on the football pitch so Premier League teams invest millions in finding players who can fulfil the role.

However, mistakes are made. Clubs do take gambles on certain players in the hope that they can realise their potential, while other transfers look like dead certs but, for whatever reason, don’t work out.

The five players on our list today do all fall into the two categories, and while some may yet go on to have successful careers, it may not happen for them in England.

Press the next page as we countdown the worst value for money Premier League forwards (from players who have played at least 38 matches in the top flight).