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With the entry of the likes of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain into the pantheon of top clubs in Europe, traditional and historically revered clubs like Bayern Munich and Manchester United have tough competition.
Due to world-class managerial structure, an ability to challenge for top titles as well as lucrative pay packages, modern players are as likely to choose Manchester City as they are to pick Manchester United.
With that in mind, we look at the 10 most valuable squads in world football, as per Transfermarkt.
#10 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR | €710.35 million
Tottenham Hotspur might not have had the best of seasons last term but they remain one of the top clubs in the world.
Under Mauricio Pochettino, Spurs reached the Champions League final in 2019, ultimately losing to Liverpool. Pochettino was sacked last season, with the club bringing in former Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.
It is clear that Tottenham Hotspur are in a rebuilding phase, with players like Jan Vertonghen and Danny Rose leaving the club to make way for fresh blood. Forwards Harry Kane and Son Heung-min remain their most valuable assets, while young players like Steven Bergwijn and Davinson Sanchez form the core of a promising future.
#9 MANCHESTER UNITED | €757.38 million
Like Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United are also an under-construction project under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
An important player for Manchester United during his prime, Solskjaer took over the reins at the club following the departure of Mourinho. The Norwegian has managed to bring a sense of positivity and attacking credibility back to the side- factors which were missing during Mourinho's time.
The Red Devils finished third in the league last season and will subsequently play in the Champions League next term. The likes of Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes are some of the big names which ply their trade for the club.
#8 ATLETICO MADRID | €784.80 million
Atletico Madrid sold important players like Antoine Griezmann, Rodri and Lucas Hernandez last season, while letting go of the old guard including Diego Godin, Juanfran and Filipe Luis.
Manager Diego Simeone, who has been at the club since 2011 and is regarded as one of their best managers ever, is well-renowned for his pragmatic style of football. This was evident when Marcos Llorente, a defensive midfielder who arrived from Real Madrid last summer, was converted into a second striker.
Atletico bought a lot of players last summer to compensate for the departure of their stars. Joao Felix was the eye-catching transfer; the Portuguese youngster arrived for a fee of €126 million from Benfica. Renan Lodi, Mario Hermoso and Kieran Trippier were some of their other signings.
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#7 PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN | €801.45 million
It is no secret that Paris Saint-Germain are trying to break into the top tier of superclubs, having bought Neymar for €222 million and Kylian Mbappe for €180 million.
While they might not have achieved their goal yet, there are definite signs of progression. Manager Thomas Tuchel has implemented an extremely attacking style of play, revolving around his stars Neymar and Mbappe, who are supported by an extremely talented set of players.
Paris Saint-Germain have established a clear dominance in France, winning seven league titles in the last eight years. However, it is in Europe that their owners want the club to shine. They recently beat Atalanta to qualify for the Champions League semi-finals, where RB Leipzig await.
#6 CHELSEA | €801.45 million
It is clear that Chelsea will spend a lot this summer. Having bought in Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech already, their intent is obvious.
Last summer, the club brought in club legend Frank Lampard as manager. Handicapped by a transfer ban, Lampard integrated Chelsea academy graduates into the first team, and the result has been good. The likes of Tammy Abraham, Reece James and Mason Mount have all established themselves as important players in the team.
With the ban now lifted, Chelsea have been linked with some exciting players. Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz remains a target, while Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell is reportedly close to a move as well.
#5 BAYERN MUNICH | €929.25 million
Arguably the best team in Europe right now, Bayern Munich have been frighteningly good under manager Hansi Flick.
They are the favourites to lift the Champions League this season, having already completed a domestic double. Attackers Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller are in the form of their lives while the likes of Thiago, Serge Gnabry and Alphonso Davies have earned plaudits as well.
The Bavarians thrashed Barcelona 8-2 in the Champions League quarter-finals recently and will face Lyon in the semi-finals. With the treble a genuine possibility, Bayern Munich have already strengthened their attack with the addition of winger Leroy Sane from Manchester City.
#4 BARCELONA | €983.20 million
Barcelona are in disarray. The club have endured a difficult season, having lost the league title to arch-rivals Real Madrid before being humiliated in the Champions League by Bayern Munich.
There are said to be financial issues as well, with the club unable to go after their top transfer targets. An ageing squad has often been carried by talisman Lionel Messi throughout the season, with goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen arguably the only other player to have had a positive season.
Messi has been linked with a move away from the club. The Argentine has only one year left in his contract, and there will be a line of Europe's best clubs vying to sign him if he decides to leave. With Quique Setien sacked, Ronald Koeman, Mauricio Pochettino and Xavi have all been linked with the vacant managerial post.
Also Read: Top 10 players with the best winning ratio in the 21st century
#3 LIVERPOOL | €1.02 billion
Liverpool's rise under manager Jurgen Klopp has been impressive, to say the least.
Klopp has won the Premier League as well as the Champions League with the club and has already cemented his place as one of the best managers to have managed the club. The German was also responsible for bringing in the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson, who have established themselves as fan favourites and potential greats.
Apart from these two, the development of academy graduate Trent Alexander-Arnold into one of the best right-backs in the world has been a huge positive. Despite such big names, surely Liverpool's biggest asset is Klopp; and making sure he stays should be their priority.
#2 MANCHESTER CITY | €1.06 billion
While Manchester City were on the precipice of being a top European club under Manuel Pellegrini, the arrival of Pep Guardiola ensured that they entered that group with a bang.
Arguably the best manager in the world, Guardiola has spent a lot to shape this City side. Defence has primarily been the focus; Kyle Walker, Aymeric Laporte, Benjamin Mendy and Joao Cancelo all arrived under the management of the Spaniard. Manchester City recently spent £41 million to buy Nathan Ake from Bournemouth.
All this has resulted in some exciting football and a lot of domestic success. However, the club is yet to make its presence felt in the Champions League. This season, they were beaten in the quarter-finals by Lyon.
#1 REAL MADRID | €1.07 billion
Arguably the biggest club in world football right now, Real Madrid enjoyed a good domestic season under manager Zinedine Zidane, winning the league.
Zidane led the club to three consecutive Champions League titles but left the club in 2018, alongside star player Cristiano Ronaldo. After a tumultuous season under two managers- Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari, Los Blancos decided to bring Zidane back.
While they were knocked out of this season's Champions League by Manchester City, the exciting young side is one to watch out for. The likes of Federico Valverde, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr., all look set to enjoy bright futures at the club.
Also Read: 5 changes Barcelona need to make to return to the top
