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The 2020/21 footballing season is in its last mile - with Europe's top leagues drawing to a close this month. That means the summer transfer window is upon us and some of football's top talents are rumored to be on the move in the coming months. The summer transfer window has historically been the largest-spending window of the season, with top clubs often forced to pay over market value for the top players.
The transfer fee or market value of a player depends on various factors, including skill-sets, age, and current form, to name a few. Of these factors, a player's age and form are the most important determinants, as young players have a potentially high resale value. While some have witnessed a dip in form this season, others have established themselves as some of football's top talents. On that note, let's take a look at -
5 players whose market value has increased the most in 2021
#5 Bruno Fernandes | €90 million (€42 million increase)
We kick off our list with one of the Premier League's best players this season and a hot contender for the PFA Player of the Year - Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese became the much-needed catalyst for Manchester United's resurgence in the second half of last season. Ever since his arrival on English shores in the 2020 winter transfer window, Fernandes propelled Manchester United to a Top 4 finish last year. Over the last six months of the 2020/21 Premier League season, Fernandes has notched up 12 goals and 8 assists from just 22 appearances. Adding to this, the playmaker has won four Player of the Month's so far this season - the most by any player in the English top-flight.
The 26-year old has gone from strength to strength since, with 26 goals and 16 assists to his name this season. Manchester United are known for big irresponsible splurges in the transfer market, but the £50million spent on Fernandes seems like a steal now.
#4 Phil Foden | €70 million (€43 million increase)
Next on our list is Manchester City's most exciting - and arguably best - player this season, Phil Foden.
The Englishman has progressed up the ranks at a rapid pace since signing for Manchester City's youth academy. After winning the FIFA U17 World Cup in India, Foden established himself as one of the brightest prospects in English football. Since making his Manchester City debut in the 2016/17 season, Foden has managed to nail down a starting spot in the star-studded squad, and is essentially City's leader in attack in the absence of an outright No.9.
The young Englishman has already laid hands on a domestic treble in 2019, and will be looking to upgrade it to a European treble this season. Foden has 14 goals and 9 assists from 45 appearances in the ongoing season, and it will probably take much more than €70million to prise Foden away from the Etihad.
#3 Ansu Fati | €80 million (€44 million increase)
Taking the third spot on the podium is one of world football's wunderkinds, Ansu Fati, who has enjoyed a sensational start to his Barcelona career.
The Spanish international - born in Guinea, Bissau - has made an immediate impact since making his debut last season. Fati joined Barcelona's famed La Masia academy when he was just 10, and worked up the U16, U18, U19, and Barcelona B ranks to make his first-team appearance against Real Betis in a La Liga encounter. He became Barcelona's second-youngest debutant, and Fati's first goal against Osasuna made him Barcelona's youngest-ever goalscorer and La Liga's third-youngest.
The 18-year old became a regular feature for the Blaugrana before suffering a serious knee injury - which has ruled him out of action since November last year. In 43 senior appearances, the teenager has been involved in 18 goals (13 goals, 5 assists). Fati is one of Barcelona's most prized assets and the man tipped to replace Lionel Messi in the future.
#2 Marcos Llorente | €70 million (€54 million increase)
The Spaniard has witnessed an exponential rise in his market value in the past year - ever since his knockout blow against Liverpool in the Champions League last season.
Llorente's market value was a mere €16 million at the beginning of November 2020, but the inspired performance against the Reds in the Round of 16 made him an overnight sensation. After a £35.9 million transfer from rivals Real Madrid, the Spaniard failed to make a name for the Rojiblancos - finding himself on the fringes of the Atletico squad. However, Llorente inspired an incredible comeback against the Reds - scoring twice in nine minutes and providing the assist for Alvaro Morata's winner - which triggered an increase in his market value.
The 26-year old has since established himself as one of the vital components in Atletico Madrid's setup - notching up 77 appearances for the Rojiblancos in under two seasons at the club. Llorente has been involved in 88% of Atletico's total minutes this season - with 13 goals and 11 assists to show for it.
#1 Pedri | €70 million (€62.8 million increase)
While other players on the list have witnessed a steady rise in market value, Pedri's valuation has increased by an unprecedented ten-fold - since his €6.48 million from UD Las Palmas at the beginning of the season.
The Spaniard's role at Barcelona is reminiscent of the great Andres Iniesta, who functioned as a No. 8 - with a floating role at the center of Barca's midfield. Pedri has shown immense maturity since his Barcelona debut in September last year - with a knack for scoring important goals. He also has the ability to pick out dangerous passes and to transition play from midfield to attack. The 18-year old has already made 49 appearances for the Catalonians in less than a year at the club - establishing himself as one of the first names on the team sheet.
Pedri has been involved in 9 goals (3 goals, 6 assists) and also earned his first international cap, in his 10-month spell at the Camp Nou. With Ansu Fati and Pedri in their ranks, the Catalonians have an exciting future to look forward to.
