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Football is undoubtedly one of the most popular sports in the world. Modern day football is not just about the game, but also about money. Clubs with rich owners can dictate the price and salary of the players in the transfer market.
Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, AC Milan and to an extent, Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona, and Juventus have dominated the club football in Europe with a lot of money.
Strikers like Neymar, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Hulk, Lavezzi, and Gareth Bale are earning in the upwards of £350,000-a-week right now. Also, some of the Chinese clubs paid an insane salary to attract top talents from across the globe.
Midfielders, too, are not far behind. In fact, a number of them are earning massive salaries at their respective clubs.
On that note, let’s take a look at 5 of the highest paid midfielders in the world right now.
#5 Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona)
Barcelona wanted a world-class midfielder to replace Andres Iniesta, who turned 34 in May 2017. Barcelona identified Philippe Coutinho as a long-term replacement for the Spaniard. The Catalan giants approached Liverpool during the summer but they held firm and rejected multiple Barcelona offers.
However, Philippe Coutinho was allowed to join Barcelona in a £142 million deal during the January transfer window. Coutinho is a versatile midfielder who can play as a no.10 and on the flanks as well. He is known for his passing, vision, and dribbling ability.
The Brazilian made 201 appearances for Liverpool and scored 54 goals in his five-and-a-half years at the club. The 25-year-old is visibly at the peak of his career and will relish the opportunity to play alongside Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Ousmane Dembele. After his move to Camp Nou, he is expected to earn £240,000/week after tax.
#4 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
Arguably the best attacking midfielder in world football right now. Kevin de Bruyne joined Manchester City for a club-record £55 million deal in 2015 and went on to become an integral part of the side. He has developed into a world-class midfielder under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola.
He is a technically gifted player with great abilities. His passing is phenomenal, especially his long-range ones. He can make precision perfect crosses and is excellent in set pieces. With 11 goals and 14 assists, he seems to have reached a different level altogether this season, and is the best midfielder in Europe by a country mile.
Manchester City are dominating the Premier League and have been brilliant in the UEFA Champions League, thanks in large part to the services of the Belgian. He recently reportedly signed a new contract that will see him earn £260,000/week at the Etihad.
#3 Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
Paul Pogba is arguably one of best central midfielders in world football right now. The Frenchman left Manchester United for Juventus in 2012. Four years later, he re-joined United in a £89 million deal, which reportedly earns him a salary of £290,000/week.
United paid a huge sum of money for him because of his ability to dominate games on his own. Primarily a central midfielder, he can play as a no.10 as well. He is a creative player with great vision and passing range. He is physically strong and excellent in the air.
At Juventus, he won four Serie A and two Coppa Italia titles. He also helped them to the finals of the 2014/15 UEFA Champions League. He scored 34 goals in 178 appearances for Juventus and assisted many more. Notably, Pogba also helped United list the UEFA Europa League title in 2017.
#2 Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
The German midfielder has finally ended speculation about his Arsenal future by putting pen to paper to a new 3-year deal. Why is he important to Arsenal? Mesut Ozil is one of the best playmakers in world football right now.
The 29-year-old has been called “assist-king”, and with 49 assists, he has created more goals in the Premier League than anyone since 2013 To add to it, he also owns the record for best assists per game ratio in Premier League history (minimum 100 games).
His contract was supposed to end this summer but Arsenal moved forward and tied him to the club until 2021. He will be earning £350,000/week according to the terms of his new Arsenal contract.
#1 Oscar (Shanghai SIPG)
One of the most talented Brazilian footballers who was touted for greatness when he joined Chelsea in 2012, Oscar won the Premier League, the UEFA Europa League, and the League Cup during his four-and-a-half-year stay at the Stamford Bridge.
A fluid midfielder, known for his dribbling and attacking runs. He is a versatile player who can occupy various midfield positions. The Brazilian scored 30 goals for Chelsea across all competitions and assisted 25 more, during his 4-odd seasons with the Blues.
However, his career took a huge turn in 2016 when he decided to move to Shanghai SIPG in a £60 million deal. The Brazilian midfielder became one of the costliest players in the world in 2016. He currently earns £400,000/week in China.
