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Over the years, there has been an influx of Asian players in the European football landscape.
Be it relaxation of work permits/visas or the general improvement in the competitiveness of various leagues across the continent, the stature of Asian players has been on the rise over the years.
Ten most valuable Asian players
Today, many skilful Asian players ply their trades in the top European leagues, and most of them are key players for their respective clubs.
On that note, let's take a look at the ten most valuable Asian players at the moment.
#10 Aaron Mooy (Australia) - €8.5 million
Though Aaron Mooy is not an 'Asian' player per se, he appears in this list because Australia happens to be a part of the Asian Football Confederation since 2006.
The 30-year-old striker played in the English Premier League with Huddersfield Town and Brighton & Hobe Albion, scoring nine goals across three seasons for the two clubs.
Mooy currently plies his trade with Shanghai SIPG in the Chinese Super League, whom he joined last year.
#9 Takumi Minamino (Japan) - €10 million
After playing only a bit-part role in Liverpool's Premier League-winning campaign last season, Takumi Minamino joined Southampton in the 2021 winter transfer window.
Since his move away from Anfield, albeit on a loan deal for the rest of the season, the Japanese winger has had an immediate upturn in fortunes. After scoring just once in 19 Premier League games for the reigning champions, Minamino hit the ground running at Southampton and scored on his club debut.
His second goal in the competition helped Southampton earn a creditable 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
#8 Hee-chan Hwang (South Korea) - €11 million
Hee-chan Hwang has been a regular on the European scene for a while.
After making his professional debut with FC Liefering in the Austrian second division in 2014-15, the South Korean international arrived at Bundesliga club Hamburg four seasons later.
The 25-year-old forward, who plays for Leipzig now, has scored 17 times in various competitions for the club. Leipzig sporting director Markus Krosche said after signing the player last year:
"In Hee-chan Hwang, we have signed a player who fits the profile of what we are looking for. He can play in any attacking position, on the wings or as a main man in the middle. He makes our attack more flexible with his speed and mobility."
#7 Mehdi Taremi (Iran) - €12 million
After commencing his professional career in his native Iran in 2011-12, Mehdi Taremi moved to European shores eight years later, joining Portuguese club Rio Ave.
A prolific 18-goal season in the Portuguese Liga meant that Porto came calling for his services.
The 28-year-old striker has impressed at his new surroundings. He has scored 15 goals in all competitions for the club, including the opener in Porto's 2-1 win over Juventus in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg.
#6 Kang-in Lee (South Korea) - €15 million
Kang-in Lee is one of the most exciting young Asian players currently playing in one of the top five European leagues.
The 20-year-old South Korea international made his professional debut for La Liga club Valencia in 2018-19, scoring thrice and providing four assists in all competitions.
The attacking midfielder trialled for Valencia as a ten-year-old and has stayed at the club since then.
#5 Daichi Kamada (Japan) - €16 million
Daichi Kamada joined Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer of 2017, scoring 13 goals and providing 19 assists across various competitions.
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder has been in sizzling form this campaign. He has scored thrice in the Bundesliga and provided 11 assists to help his side stay in the top four of the competition.
Unsurprisingly, the Japan international saw his contract at the club extended till 2023.
#4 Takehiro Tomiyasu (Japan) - €18 million
Takehiro Tomiyasu is the most valuable Asian defender in the game at the moment.
The 22-year-old centre-back currently plies his trade at Serie A club Bologna, whom he joined last season.
The Japan international has scored thrice and assisted as many times in over 50 appearances for the club in all competitions.
Among many clubs interested in his services were Serie A giants AC Milan and high-flying Leicester City, but the Asian player managed to remain at Bologna.
#3 Takefusa Kubo (Japan) - €20 million
Touted as one of the most exciting young Asian wingers in the game, Takefusa Kubo honed his skills at Barcelona's famed La Masia academy before joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2019.
He was immediately loaned to Mallorca that season, with the player enjoying a fairly successful stint and scoring four goals.
The Japanese teenager was then sent to another La Liga club - Villarreal - before his loan stint was cut short. However, instead of making his much-awaited debut for the Merengues, Kubo was once again sent out on loan - this time to Getafe - for the rest of the season.
#2 Sardar Azmoun (Iran) - €23 million
Sardar Azmoun is one of the most exciting talents to have emerged from Iran in recent times.
After making his professional debut for Rubin Kazan almost a decade ago, the 26-year-old centre-forward has had an extensive stint in the Russian Premier League, turning out for three different clubs.
Currently plying his trade for Zenit St. Petersburg, Azmoun has scored 44 goals in all competitions across three seasons for the club.
#1 Son Heung-min (South Korea) - €90 million
Son Heung-min has been a player reborn under Tottenham Hotspur head coach Jose Mourinho this season.
Forging a lethal partnership with Harry Kane up front, the 28-year-old South Korean international is on course for his most prolific season in club football and has already scored 16 goals in all competitions.
Such has been the rise in stature of the former Bayer Leverkusen player in recent times that Son Heung-min is currently more valuable than a certain Lionel Messi (€80 million).
