Ranking the 10 most valuable clubs in world football - October 2021
Plenty of clubs conducted shrewd business in the transfer market this summer due to the financial ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic beginning to abate.
Loan deals remained the preferred mode of business for many clubs, but the summer also saw some high-profile transfers. Arguably the two best players to have graced the game, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, moved to pastures anew.
Ronaldo returned to Manchester United for the first time in more than a decade, while Messi landed at PSG after Barcelona didn't renew his contract. Manchester City and Chelsea splurged in excess of €100 million to land Jack Grealish and Romelu Lukaku, respectively. Other top six clubs in the Premier League also made significant alterations to their rosters.
Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid snapped up Copa America 2021 winner Rodrigo de Paul. Bayern Munich landed Leipzig duo Dayot Upamecano and Marcel Sabitzer. Real Madrid signed exciting teenage midfielder Eduardo Camavinga following a failed pursuit of Kylian Mbappe. Barcelona and PSG made a spate of high-profile free transfers to bolster their squads as well.
On that note, here's a look at the ten most valuable clubs at the moment:
(Note: All figures are as per transfermarkt.)
#10 Barcelona - €672 million
Barcelona have largely been in the news this summer for the exit of their club legend and talisman Lionel Messi. The Blaugrana, who have one of the biggest wage bills of any club, couldn't offer Messi a new contract owing to La Liga's financial fair-play rules.
However, they did acquire Memphis Depay (valued at €45 million), Sergio Aguero (€15 million) and Eric Garcia (€20 million) on free transfers. Depay has made a decent start to life at Camp Nou, scoring four times across competitions.
Nevertheless, Barcelona have struggled in the post-Messi era. After nine league games, the Blaugrana are ninth in the table. In the Champions League, they have lost two of their three group games.
Despite their struggles following Messi's exit, Barcelona have a promising roster. Their most expensive players are Frenkie de Jong (€90 million) and the prodigious Pedri (€80 million).
La Masia graduate Ansu Fati (€60 million), who recently returned after a long injury layoff, and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen (€55 million) are also valued at over €50 million. Barcelona's two most expensive flops, Ousmane Dembele (€50 million) and Philippe Coutinho (€20 million), are the other valuable players on their roster.
#9 Tottenham Hotspur - €697 million
With a squad value of close to €700 million, Tottenham Hotspur are the ninth-most expensive team in club football at the moment.
The 2021-22 Premier League leaders spent €67 million to land Bryan Gil, Emerson Royal and Pape Sarr this summer. But it was no bigger a win than staving off Manchester City to keep hold of their prolific scorer Harry Kane, who is valued at €120 million.
The England international recently opened his account this season, but his striker partner Son Heung-Min has been on song. The €85-million-rated South Korean has scored four league goals, including one against holders Manchester City on the opening day of the season.
After nine league games, Spurs are sixth in the points table.
Other valuable personnel on the Spurs' roster are the injured Tanguy Ndombele (€45 million), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (€40 million) and their on-loan centre-back Cristian Romero (€35 million). Their captain Hugo Lloris, who is valued at €9 million, started his campaign with three consecutive clean sheets, but hasn't kept one in his last six.
#8 Atletico Madrid - €746 million
Atletico Madrid haven't made too many changes to their roster this summer. Frenchman Antoine Griezmann has returned to the Wanda Metropolitano, while Rodrigo De Paul has arrived from Serie A.
With a decent blend of youth and experience, Atletico have quality and depth in every department of their roster. Despite losing only one of their opening nine games, the La Liga holders are three points adrift of league leaders Real Madrid. Atletico have a game in hand on their cross-city rivals, though. However, they have struggled in Europe.
In Jan Oblak (€70 million), Atletico Madrid have arguably the best custodian in La Liga, and in all of Europe too. Jose Gimenez (€80 million) and Stefan Savic (€25 million) form an experienced centre-back duo.
The Rojiblancos also have experienced campaigners like Marcos Llorente (€80 million), captain Koke (€60 million), Yannik Carrasco (€40 million) and De Paul.
In attack, Atletico have the exciting 21-year-old Joao Felix to complement Luis Suarez (€15 million) and the returning Griezmann (€50 million).
#7 Real Madrid - €756 million
Real Madrid are one of the form teams in Europe at the moment, despite their shock defeat at home to Champions League debutants Sheriff. Carlo Ancelotti's men are three points clear at the top of La Liga, albeit having played one game more.
That's impressive after they saw their manager Zinedine Zidane leave the club this summer. Following the Frenchman's exit, the club's two defensive mainstays, Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, also left for pastures anew. Madrid signed David Alaba on a free transfer in the summer and the former Bayern man has made a good start to life in the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid did bring in the exciting Eduardo Camavinga to bolster their aging midfield after failing in their pursuit of PSG star Kylian Mbappe. Despite Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos being on the wrong side of 30, Madrid haven't faced too many difficulties this campaign thus far.
Benzema, in particular, has been in the form of his life, bagging 11 goals and eight assists across competitions.
There is no doubt Madrid have a lot of experience in their roster, starting with their most valuable player Casemiro (€70 million). The defensive midfielder is regarded as one of the best in the world in his position. The same also goes for their custodian Thibault Courtois (€60 million) and Alaba (€55 million).
Meanwhile, the teenager Camavinga is also valued at €55 million, while 23-year-old midfielder Fede Valverde is worth €65 million. Left-back Ferland Mendy and winger Vinicius Junior are valued at €50 million. However, the likes of Gareth Bale (€10 million), Dani Carvajal (€25 million) and Isco (€15 million) have seen their valuations drop.
#6 Bayern Munich - €841 million
Bavarian giants Bayern Munich are among the most well-rounded teams in the game now. The nine-time defending Bundesliga champions are brimming with quality in every position.
Over the summer, Bayern bid adieu to David Alaba, Jerome Boateng and Javi Martinez. The club then moved swiftly to snap up the Leipzig duo of Dayot Upamecano and Marcel Sabitzer.
Two months into the same, Bayern look on course for another successful season. They have won all three games in the Champions League, and lead the Bundesliga after nine games, thanks to Robert Lewandowski's 17 goals across competitions.
Joshua Kimmich (€90 million), the epitome of versatility, is Bayern's most valuable player. He is followed by Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry and young left-back Alphonso Davies. All three players are valued at €70 million.
Star striker Robert Lewandowski (€60 million) continues to age like fine wine, . Meanwhile, winger Leroy Sane and new arrival Upamecano are both valued at €60 million. French World cup winner Kingsley Coman is valued at €55 million.
Two more French World Cup winners, Lucas Hernandez (€45 million) and Benjamin Pavard (€35 million), are key players in Julian Nagelsmann's team. Veterans Thomas Muller (€30 million) and captain Manuel Neuer (€18 million) remain invaluable despite their diminishing valuation.
#5 Liverpool - €867 million
Liverpool are one of four Premier League teams making up the five most valuable club teams in the game at the moment.
The 2019-20 Premier League champions were surprisingly light in terms of incomings this summer. The Reds only brought in Ibrahima Konate, who is valued at €35 million.
There is no denying the quality of personnel at Jurgen Klopp's disposal. Mohamed Salah (€100 million), one of the best wingers in the game at the moment, is the Reds' most valuable player. He has been on a tear this season, having plundered 17 goals across competitions.
His attacking colleague Sadio Mane (€85 million) is the next most valuable Reds player. However, the same cannot be said of about the third player in the Salah-Mane-Firmino triumvirate. Roberto Firmino (€40 million) has seen his value drop in recent years.
Both Salah and Mane have recorded their 100th Premier League goals this season. Salah's hat-trick at Old Trafford meant Liverpool remain the only unbeaten team in the English top flight. They have also fared well in the Champions League, winning all three group games thus far.
Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold (€75 million) and Andrew Robertson (€65 million) form one of the most lethal full-back pairings in the modern game. Goalkeeper Alisson (€60 million), defensive midfielder Fabinho (€60 million) and centre-back Virgil Van Dijk (€55 million) are other key cogs in the Liverpool bandwagon.
Exciting young striker Diogo Jota (€45 million), midfielder Thiago Alcantara (€25 million) and captain Jordan Henderson (€20 million) are also key players in Jurgen Klopp's team.
#4 Chelsea - €891 million
Reigning Champions League winners and Premier League leaders Chelsea are among the most valuable teams in club football at the moment.
Though they did not splurge as much as they did last season, the Blues brought in prolific Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku (valued at €100 million). They also landed Atletico Madrid's Saul Niguez (€40 million) on a loan deal.
Chelsea's attacking quartet of Lukaku, Kai Havertz (€70 million), Mason Mount (€75 million) and Timo Werner (€55 million) are their most valuable players. Werner has underwhelmed since his arrival last summer, but the emergence of Mount and Havertz is heartening for the Blues.
Mount's hat-trick against Norwich City last weekend propelled Chelsea back to the top of the league table.
N'Golo Kante (€55 million) is regarded as one of the game's best defensive midfielders at the moment. Mateo Kovacic (€40), Italy's Euro 2020-winning midfielder Jorginho (€45 million) and left-back Ben Chilwell (€38 million) are key players for Thomas Tuchel.
The excellent Edouard Mendy (€30 million) has continued to shine since arriving at the club last season. He has already kept seven clean sheets across competitions this campaign.
#3 Manchester United - €907 million
Manchester United have assembled an impressive roster under Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer.
However, the team has massively struggled after a promising start to the season. A 5-0 defeat at home to Liverpool has left United languishing eight points behind league leaders Chelsea after nine games. In the Champions League, United needed late winners to beat Villarreal and Atalanta, while they lost away at Young Boys on Matchday 1.
The Red Devils splurged €85 million to land Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho (valued at €90 million). But he has struggled to get going; Sancho is without a goal contribution in ten games across competitions.
United also brought in Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane (valued at €70 million). But the icing on the cake was the return of the 'prodigal son' Cristiano Ronaldo (€45 million), who has scored six times across competitions.
Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes (€90 million) is one of United's most valuable players. He has scored goals galore since his arrival last January. Winger Marcus Rashford (€85 million) has also been a key player for the club over the years.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils also have Paul Pogba (€60 million) and captain Harry Maguire (€50 million) in their ranks. But both players returned stinkers in United's heavy defeat to Liverpool at home.
Exciting youngster Mason Greenwood (€50 million), Luke Shaw (€42 million), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (€40 million) and Scot McTominay (€35 million) are other valuable players in the team.
The rejuvenated David de Gea (€18 million) has kept only one clean sheet in 12 games across competitions this season. But the veteran keeper has often been key to the team.
#2 PSG - €990 million
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have had one of the greatest transfer windows by any club in recent history as they made a raft of inspired signings this summer. Thanks to the same, they now have a cumulative squad value of almost €1 billion.
The Ligue 1 giants acquired Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos on free transfers. They followed that up by bringing in Barcelona legend Lionel Messi and Euro 2020-winning Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma on Bosman moves as well. Ramos is yet to make his club debut, though.
The arrival of Messi (valued at €80 million) means PSG now have a fearsome attacking triumvirate that also features Kylian Mbappe (€160 million) and Neymar (€100 million). Although Messi has scored thrice in the Champions League, he is yet to open his Ligue 1 account. Meanwhile, Neymar has scored just once across competitions, while Mbappe has netted six times across competitions.
PSG are seven points clear at the top of Ligue 1 after 11 games. In the Champions League, the Parisians are a point above Manchester City after three games.
Captain Marquinhos (€75 million), Donnarumma (€65 million) and Achraf Hakimi (€70 million) are the other valuable players on PSG's expensively assembled roster. Italy's Euro 2020-winning midfielder Marco Verratti (€55 million), a key player for club and country, has been at PSG for over a decade.
Angel Di Maria (€20 million), centre-back Presnel Kimpembe (€40 million) and Mauro Icardi (€35 million) are the other key players on the PSG roster.
#1 Manchester City - €1.08 billion
Manchester City are the only club team that has a cumulative player valuation of over €1 billion.
Despite their requirement of a centre-forward, City could only bring in midfielder Jack Grealish (valued at €100 million) on a €117.5-million transfer this summer. Nevertheless, Pep Guardiola appears to have most of his team's bases covered, and City look like the team to beat in England and Europe.
After nine games this season, City trail league leaders Chelsea by two points. In the Champions League, they are behind group leaders PSG by a solitary point.
Midfield metronome Kevin De Bruyne (€100 million) is the joint-most valuable player in the City squad. Winger Raheem Sterling (€90 million) and midfielder Phil Foden (€80 million) are also key players and have evolved massively under Guardiola.
Ruben Dias (€75 million) is arguably the best centre-back in the game at the moment. He is followed in valuation by midfielders Bernardo Silva and Rodri, both valued at €70 million.
Forward Gabriel Jesus (€60 million) and full-back Joao Cancelo (€55 million) are also key players in the side. Goalkeeper Ederson (€50 million) and 21-year-old midfielder Ferran Torres (€50 million) are other key players in the team.
Aymeric Laporte (€45 million) may no longer be the first-choice defender for Guardiola. But midfielders Riyad Mahrez (€42 million) and Ilkay Gundogan (€40 million), and centre-back John Stones (€30 million) continue to be key personnel in the City bandwagon.
With such an expensively assembled roster, City are once again expected to compete on multiple fronts. So far this season, they have fared well.
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Anantaajith Raghuraman