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As clubs prepare for another long season, the top teams would look to hold on to their star assets.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a big factor in how clubs spend money. There is an emphasis on developing talent from the academy or finding bargains in the transfer market. It helps when players like Georginio Wijnaldum, Memphis Depay and Gianluigi Donnarumma are available on free transfers.
Market values of players continue to fluctuate due to the pandemic, and the ongoing Euros could also have an impact. On that note, let's take a look at the ten most valuable players in the world in the month of June, as per transfermarkt.
#10 Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich) - €90 million
Joshua Kimmich is world-class in two positions, so it will be interesting to see where he operates at the Euros for Germany.
Philipp Lahm's heir apparent at both Bayern Munich and Germany, Kimmich, has been sensational for some time now. The 26-year old, who spent his initial years at Bayern Munich, where he was mentored by Pep Guardiola, is renowned for his versatility, passing and tactical intelligence.
Kimmich made 25 starts, predominantly in midfield, in the Bundesliga in the season gone by. He scored four goals and provided ten assists as Bayern Munich won another Bundesliga title. Kimmich has been a constant for Germany as well since his debut in 2016.
Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for England | UEFA Euro 2020.
#9 Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) - €90 million
Frenkie de Jong provided a timely reminder of his qualities in the opening game of the Netherlands' Euro 2020 campaign against Ukraine.
One of the best young midfielders in the game, De Jong joined Barcelona from Ajax in 2019 for €86 million amid heavy interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City. The Netherlands international endured a quiet first season but enjoyed a much better 2020-21 campaign, with his dribbling ability in congested midfield areas highly appreciated.
A versatile midfielder capable of operating as an auxiliary centre-back, De Jong has all the tools to become one of the best midfielders in the game. The 24-year old has time on his side, so both Barcelona and the Netherlands must build their teams around their star midfielder.
#8 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - €100 million
It was surprising to see Kevin De Bruyne win the PFA Player's Player of the Year for the 2020-21 season, given the performances of Harry Kane, Ruben Dias and Bruno Fernandes.
However, there is no denying that De Bruyne has been one of the best players in the game for quite some time now. The Belgium international has been excellent for Manchester City, with his creativity, dribbling and well-drilled crosses into the opposition box being a crucial component in City's attack.
De Bruyne made just 23 league starts this season due to injury issues. The 29-year old, who recently signed a new long-term contract with Manchester City, scored six goals and provided 12 assists, helping his team win the league.
Also Read: Fabrizio Romano's Transfer Roundup: Update on Manchester United's pursuit of Jadon Sancho, Chelsea's plans for Hakimi, and more.
#7 Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) - €100 million
Neymar and Paris Saint-Germain did not enjoy their best campaign in 2020-21, as the Ligue 1 giants failed to defend their league title and fell in the Champions League semi-finals.
Paris Saint-Germain, who finished second behind Lille, have some thinking to do this summer. However, one good piece of news for the Parisiens is that Neymar, one of the best forwards in the game, has signed a new contract with the club, extending his stay till 2025.
The Brazil international made just 15 Ligue 1 starts this season, scoring nine goals and providing five assists. Paris Saint-Germain's ambitious owners dream of Champions League success, with the 29-year old Neymar, alongside Kylian Mbappe, being seen as key figures in their project.
#6 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - €100 million
Liverpool endured an indifferent 2020-21 campaign, failing to defend their league title. Injuries to centre-backs Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip saw manager Jurgen Klopp use greenhorns like Rhys Williams and Nathaniel Phillips in defence. Liverpool eventually finished third in the league.
Mohamed Salah was key during their campaign, as usual. Since joining Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017 for €42 million the Egypt international has been the club's most prolific attacker. This season, Salah made 34 Premier League starts, scoring 22 goals and providing five assists.
There have been suggestions that Salah may not be averse to leaving Liverpool this summer. The 28-year old is said to be interested in joining Barcelona or Real Madrid, but given the financial condition of the Spanish giants, a move seems unlikely.
#5 Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan) - €100 million
One of the best strikers in the game, Romelu Lukaku has looked revitalised under Antonio Conte at Inter Milan.
After two subdued seasons at Manchester United, Lukaku joined Inter Milan for a club-record fee of €74 million. The 28-year old made an immediate impact in Italy, forming a lethal attacking partnership with Lautaro Martinez and scoring goals at a consistent rate.
Lukaku was Inter Milan's best player this season, making 32 Serie A starts, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists as the Nerazzurri secured their first league title in more than a decade. The Belgium international has begun his Euro 2020 campaign well, scoring a brace in his team's opening group-stage game against Russia.
#4 Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) - €100 million
As he continues to be linked with Manchester United, Jadon Sancho looks all set to return to England.
The 21-year made a bold move when he decided to leave Manchester City for Borussia Dortmund in 2017. That has proved to be a shrewd move, though, as Sancho flourished in Germany, establishing himself as one of the best young players in the game.
The England international is a very creative forward and has excellent dribbling ability. So it is understandable why Manchester United are desperate to sign him. Sancho made 24 Bundesliga starts in 2020-21, scoring eight goals and providing 11 assists.
Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for Brazil | Copa America 2021.
#3 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) - €120 million
Harry Kane is an ambitious player, so his decision to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer is not difficult to understand.
Kane enjoyed one of his best seasons in 2019-20, but Tottenham Hotspur only managed to finish seventh in the league. It is difficult to imagine where Spurs would have finished it if not for Kane's exploits.
One of the best strikers in the game, Kane finished the 2020-21 season as the highest goalscorer as well as the top assist provider in the Premier League. Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are all said to interested in signing the England international, although the 27-year old will certainly not come cheap.
#2 Erling Braut Haaland (Borussia Dortmund) - €130 million
Nicknamed "The Terminator', Erling Braut Haaland is a ruthless goalscorer and is already one of the best young strikers in the game.
The Norway international joined Borussia Dortmund in 2020 after a sensational stint with Red Bull Salzburg in Austria. Haaland has made 59 appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga giants, scoring 57 goals and providing 15 assists.
This season, the former Molde man played a key role as Borussia Dortmund won the DFB-Pokal, Haaland's first trophy in Germany. Haaland has been linked with big-money moves to Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid in recent weeks.
#1 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain) - €160 million
Kylian Mbappe has enjoyed a phenomenal rise, so much so that he is considered to be the heir apparent of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 22-year old has a decorated resume; he's won the FIFA World Cup with France and multiple Ligue 1 titles. A pacy forward with strong technical ability and good creative skills, Mbappe is seen as Paris Saint-Germain and France's present and future.
The former AS Monaco man has been linked with Real Madrid for a while. This season, Mbappe made 27 Ligue 1 starts, scoring 27 goals and providing seven assists. Considering that he is already one of the best in the world at his position, it is frightening to think of Mbappe's ceiling.
Also Read: 5 superstars who never lived up to their potential.
