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Footballers are transferred for ridiculously high amounts these days. The eye-watering transfers of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to Paris Saint-Germain, Countinho's move to Barcelona and the most recent sensational switch of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid to Juventus are just a few testaments to the aforementioned statement which signify that owners these days do not scruple in lashing out millions to buy top quality players.
In the ongoing summer transfer window alone, clubs across the top five leagues in Europe have already splurged an astonishing total of £3.81 billion on 1386 transfers and we still have about a week left before the transfer window slams shut.
On that note, let us take a look at the most valuable XI in the world football presently.
Market values for a particular player are calculated by how well they play, age, their marketability, contract length and ability to sell shirts.
Values courtesy – Transfermarkt
Note: Market values represent what their actual price in the transfer market is supposed to be and not the current inflated amounts.
Goalkeeper: David de Gea (Manchester United) - £63 million
In defiance of his below-par performances in the World Cup at Russia, David de Gea is still the most valuable goalkeeper in the world owing to his mouth-watering stature in the transfer market.
When the Spaniard first joined the Red Devils back in 2011, he was an unseasoned presence between the sticks but Sir Alex Ferguson's faith in him furnished him with the much-needed self-assurance which later helped him go from strength to strength. After the tough debut season at the Old Trafford, de Gea issued the following statement:
There have been doubts in the first season but I always had faith in my ability. The pressure at an elite club like United is huge but Ferguson just told me to do what I did at Atlético. You have to be as strong when things go wrong but I don't get nervous. Mistakes are normal; everyone makes them.
And there is no doubt that the 27-year-old has overcome them with consummate ease to stamp his authority as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Also Read: Top 5 goalkeepers in the world
Right-back: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid) - £54 million
A product of Real Madrid's youth academy, Carvajal moved from Real Madrid B in 2012 to Bayer Leverkusen where he spent an entire season and showed his true mettle before returning back to Real Madrid. He was also selected as one of the three best right backs at the end of his only season for the Bundesliga outfit.
Since his arrival, the Spain international has quickly established himself as a permanent fixture in Real Madrid's starting line-up and was an integral part of the club's triumphs in the seasons gone by.
Carvajal is not solely a dependable figure at the back, but he also comes in handy up front by virtue of his inch-perfect crosses and understanding with Los Blancos' forwards.
Centre-back: Raphael Varane (Real Madrid) – £72 million
Varane is one of the most exciting prospects in the football world who has made great strides during his stint at Real Madrid and still has a long career ahead of him.
The France international plays in tandem with Sergio Ramos at Real Madrid and enjoys an excellent partnership with his Spanish team-mate as he is the perfect foil for him. As such, this combination of a proactive and reactive centre-back has also, in turn, aided the Spanish giants in their pursuit of silverware.
Post his exploits at Russia, the 25-year-old is the most valuable defender at present.
Also Read: 7 most valuable defenders in the world right now
Centre-back: Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona) – £63 million
Another World Cup-winning French centre-back on the list, Umtiti's market value has grown in leaps and bounds since the former Lyon ace decided to bid adieu to Les Gones.
The France international is primarily known for his outstanding reading of the game that allows him to time his stunning tackles exceptionally well. Comfortable in possession and fond of setting up forays from the back, he has become a mainstay in the heart of Barca's defence.
"FC Barcelona should invite me to the Champions League final for gifting them Samuel Umtiti." - Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas on selling Umtiti for a cheap price to Barcelona
Left-back: Jordi Alba (Barcelona) - £54 million
Under the tutelage of Ernesto Valverde, Jordi Alba has been given a new lease of life after he was left out of favor with Luis Enrique switching to a 3-man defence.
Just like Carvajal and his Brazilian counterpart Marcelo, Jordi Alba is also instrumental in engineering incursions for Barcelona via his lightning pace and stamina. The 29-year-old was also linked with a move to Manchester United this summer.
Alba scored two goals and created 37 chances in 29 matches last season maintaining a passing accuracy of 86%. On average, he was involved in four defensive actions per game.
Central midfielder: Paul Pogba (Manchester United) - £81 million
Sir Alex Ferguson might be billed as 'the greatest manager of all-time' but his decision of letting Pogba go for FREE was undoubtedly a clanger. The fact that Manchester United had to buy him back for a world-record fee itself evinces how imprudent that choice was.
Since joining Manchester United, he has seen his value soar in a stop-start fashion thanks to his inconsistent showings for the Red Devils.
As of now, Pogba is one of the most in-demand midfielders which also resulted in him heavily associated with a potential switch to Barcelona this summer.
Central midfielder: Sergej Milinković-Savić (Lazio) - £81 million
Sergej Milinković-Savić's market value experienced a meteoric rise after October 2017. From a seemingly measly £27 million, the Serbian's market value skyrocketed to £81 million in June 2018 largely due to his dazzling performances for Lazio.
In consequence, he remained a hot property throughout the summer transfer window, attracting interest from several European top dogs including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea and AC Milan.
Nevertheless, with Le Aquile playing hardball, he was unable to seek a move away from Stadio Olimpico.
Right Winger: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – £135 million
There was no chance Salah could have made the cut for this list a year ago, but here we are scrutinizing the Egyptian who has ensured the omissions of the likes of Raheem Sterling, Gareth Bale, Ousmane Dembele and Thomas Muller.
About a year ago, in June 2017, the 26-year-old was valued at £31.5 million, close to the value Liverpool procured him from AS Roma. However, Salah turned his footballing career around with an ineffable debut season for the Reds.
He won the Premier League Golden Boot with a record-breaking 32 goals in a season whereas he netted a total of 44 goals across all competitions, leading his side to an unanticipated runners-up finish in Champions League.
Surely 'The Egyptian King' will be raring to relish another phenomenal season at the Anfield.
Left winger: Neymar (PSG) - £162 million
The record-breaking transfer of Neymar from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain was the key reason that occasioned an unprecedented inflation in the transfer market.
Having joined the Parisian club, the 26-year-old notched up 28 goals in 30 appearances in his first season, which was substantially curtailed by an unfortunate metatarsal injury.
With a penchant for showcasing flamboyant skills and always being the standout in his side, the Brazil international is touted to be the next big thing in football following Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Nevertheless, that seems far from happening as things stand.
CAM: Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – £162 million
Any stab at describing the immensely gifted Argentine would be footling in all likelihood since we all know what a megastar Lionel Messi is. A man that beggars all description!
Last season, a number of pundits had downplayed La Blaugrana's chances of clinching any major silverware by reason of Real Madrid's menacing rise and the controversial exit of Neymar. All the same, Messi inspired Barcelona to another splendid season that saw the Catalan giants prevail in both La Liga and Copa Del Rey.
The 31-year-old has also hit the ground running this season as he registered a brace against Alaves in the opening La Liga fixture. Only God knows the number of records he's gonna plunder in the 2018/19 season.
Striker: Kylian Mbappe (PSG) – £135 million
Having won the Best Young Player Award at this year's FIFA World Cup, Mbappe has secured a place to lead the line for this star-studded squad. The France international has gained a whirlwind increase in his market value via his invaluable contributions in Les Bleus' World Cup glory.
This sudden rise in the footballing fraternity has also evoked comparisons of the 19-year-old with greats like Pele and Cristiano Ronaldo, who is also his childhood idol.
Mbappe has also proved himself with Les Parisiens, where he has formed a fearsome trio alongside Edinson Cavani and Neymar. With age on his side, he could definitely reach new heights in the coming years.
