But that’s not always been the case as National World writer Sam Cox found out, using industry and official club websites.
Posh are well represented in the top 20 most expensive transfer fees ever paid by League One clubs.
And one non-Posh player appears twice in the list!
13. 8th RICKIE LAMBERT £1 million
From Bristol Rovers to Southampton, 2009. The striker proved to be a steal for the Saints scoring 117 goals at almost one in every two appearances. LIverpool wasted £4 million on him though and West Brom threw £3 million at him which was equally poor value for money. Lambert scored three goals in seven England appearances and appeared at a World Cup in 2014, but retired at the age of 35 after leaving Cardiff. Photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images
14. 7th REECE JAMES £1 million
From Manchester United to Wigan, 2015. A full-back who didn't really justify his big fee at Wigan, but he performed well enough for Doncaster to get a move to Championship side Blackpool ahead of last season. Far from a regular at the Seasiders though. Photo: Pete Norton/Getty Images
15. 6th GARY MADINE £1 million
From Carlisle to Sheffield Wednesday, 2011. This powerful striker performed okay at Hillsborough and he proved a handful at Bolton before becoming a key man at Blackpool. He scored nine goals in the club's successful Championship season last term. Photo: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
16. 5th John Marquis £1.1 million
From Doncaster to Portsmouth, 2019. The word was that Pompey pipped Posh for this striker who had enjoyed a couple of fine seasons at Doncaster under Darren Ferguson and then Grant McCann. He scored 36 goals in 121 appearances on the South Coast before moving to League One rivals Lincoln City in January. Photo: Picture: Robin Jones