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We are currently in the midst of what is quickly becoming the most expensive transfer window ever. Clubs across the top five leagues in Europe have already spent a combined €2.88 billion on 715 transfers and we are still more than six weeks away from the transfer window closing. The 5 most expensive transfers of the summer window so far add up to an astonishing combined €437.80 million.
These days, big money transfers are the norm rather than the exception. Top level clubs possess the financial strength to part with enormous sums of money in the race to win the signature of superstar players. The world record transfer fee was smashed last summer when Paris Saint-Germain signed Neymar Jr. for €222 million breaking the previous €89 million record paid by Manchester United for Paul Pogba the summer previous.
In fact, many elite clubs have broken their record transfer fees over the past couple of seasons. Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United are mentioned above, but Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Juventus have also set new club transfer records over the past two seasons.
Transfermarkt, a German-based data analysis and scouting company, carefully track worldwide transfers and maintain an up-to-date database on the values of hundreds of thousands of professional football players. Using their software, we can gain an in-depth report on the most valuable players in the world.
Utilizing the popular 4-3-3 formation, we have created a starting XI consisting of players who are the currently ranked as the most valuable in their position. The data has thrown up numerous surprises, the most notable being the omission of Cristiano Ronaldo. This summer's most talked about player couldn't find a place in our XI based on his current market value.
Only one club, Barcelona, boast three players in the team, while two clubs - Manchester United and Real Madrid - have two players apiece. There are no players from the Bundesliga and only a single player from Ligue 1 makes the cut. As expected, the Premier League and La Liga dominate proceedings.
Here is a breakdown of each player to make the XI:
Goalkeeper: David De Gea (Manchester United), Value €70 Million
Since arriving at Old Trafford in the summer of 2011, De Gea has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. The Spanish international has made over 300 appearances for the Red Devils, helping Man Utd to a Premier League title, Europa League title, FA Cup, League Cup, and three Community Shields during his time at the club.
De Gea's natural agility, reflexes, and shot stopping provided the platform on which he built his reputation. A strong leader and communicator, he has also implemented composure, positional sense, and a physical presence into his game over the past few years. Still only 27 years old, it is widely accepted that de Gea will continue to improve over the coming seasons.
De Gea's market value development exploded between 2016 and 2017 when his value increased from €40 million to €60 million. This is likely due to the widely publicized interest in the Man Utd goalkeeper from Real Madrid. The Spaniard's value surged further still between March and May of this year as rumours of a new 5-year contract at Manchester United circulated.
Centre-Back: Raphael Varane (Real Madrid), Value €80 Million
At the age of 25, Raphael Varane has achieved almost everything a professional footballer could dream about. Adding the World Cup to his list of honours in Russia, Varane has won multiple La Liga and Champions League titles with his club side, Real Madrid. He collected his fourth Champions League medal this year, making him the youngest defender ever to lift the trophy on four occasions.
Varane has enjoyed a steady improvement during his time at Real Madrid. Since signing for the Spanish giants in 2011 he has gone from strength to strength, becoming a mainstay in the heart of Madrid's defence. His bright future was predicted as early as 2013 when French legend Frank Lebouef said of Varane:
"Many compare him to Hierro due to his technique, but on the physical level he is stronger and he is much faster."
Varane's market value development has exploded over the last six months. Valued at just €40 million in January 2018, the French World Cup winner is now valued at twice that. This steep increase in value has made him the most valuable centre-back in the world according to our data.
Centre-Back: Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona), Value €70 Million
A second World Cup winner and the completion of an all-French centre-back pairing, Samuel Umtiti has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past two seasons. Playing in an average Ligue 1 for Lyon just two years ago, Umtiti was spotted by Barcelona scouts and brought to the Catalan capital for just €25 million in 2016. He has since gone on to make over 50 appearances for the Spanish champions, winning both La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
Praised for his ability to read the game like a book, Umtiti is a member of the new breed of centre-backs who can play with their feet. Comfortable in possession and between the lines, the risk-taking French defender is a perfect fit in Barcelona and has adjusted to life in Spain wonderfully.
Umtiti's market value development is similar to fellow World Cup winner, Raphael Varane. Just six months ago, Umtiti was valued at only €40 million. However, a wonderful end to the season and a World Cup winners medal has significantly increased his value which now stands at €70 million.
Right-Back: Daniel Carvajal (Real Madrid), Value €60 Million
A one-club man, Daniel Carvajal has been an integral part of Real Madrid's most successful period in the modern era. Having risen through the youth ranks at Madrid, Carvajal broke into the first team in 2013, forming a formidable pairing with Sergio Ramos since then. He has won multiple trophies with his boyhood club, most notably winning four out of the last five Champions League titles.
A typical Spanish full-back, Carvajal is fast, small, and loves to attack. His energy is limitless as he hugs the entire touchline during matches, sprinting forward to join attacks with wicked crosses, and tracking back to cover with precision challenges. His consistent performances over the years for Real Madrid has made him the ultimate "Mr Dependable".
Carvajal's market value development makes for interesting reading. Valued at just €30 million or less for most of his career, the 26-year-old only began to see his value rise over the past 12 months. At the beginning of 2018, he shot up in value from €32 million to €45 million. In the latest valuations, the Real Madrid defender has once again increased in value, becoming the world's most valuable right-back at €60 million.
Left-Back: Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Value €60 Million
Completing an all-La Liga backline, Jordi Alba has enjoyed a stellar career at Barcelona. Boasting over 160 appearances for the Catalan club, Alba has won numerous trophies and accolades during his time at the Nou Camp. In a tight tussle with Marcelo for a place in this team, Alba's personal success and slightly younger age have made him more greatly valued by the smallest of margins.
A technically superior left-back, Alba also boasts a significant attacking prowess. In fact, he has been used as an attacking winger on several occasions by both club and country. His pace is electrifying in both attack and defence while his incredible stamina often means he runs with as much power in the dying seconds of a match as in the first minute.
Alba's market value development is full of dips and climbs. In 2016, he reached a market value of €35 million, only to fall back to €32 million throughout 2017. However, his wonderful season in 2017/18 allowed his market value to soar to €40 million in January of this year and then to €60 million today.
Attacking Midfield: Kevin De Bruyne (Machester City), Value €150 Million
Manchester City's Player of the Year is also their most valuable. Perhaps surprisingly the only player from the oil-rich club to appear in this team, De Bruyne is simply sensational. Helping the Manchester club to set a new points record when winning the Premier League title last season, the pacy attacking midfielder also played a huge role in Belgium winning bronze at the World Cup.
Often touted as one of the best players of his kind in the world, De Bruyne operates mainly as an attacking midfielder, but also occasionally as a winger or second striker. The Belgian spots openings and holes in opposition defences unlike any other in the game, creating countless chances for his teammates. His shooting ability is also among the most deadly in European football.
De Bruyne's market value development is a very slow burner. The Belgian was valued at over €10 million for the first time upon his arrival to Chelsea in 2013 but didn't really take off until he signed for Wolfsburg the following year.
His year and a half in the Bundesliga significantly increased his market value to such an extent that Manchester City paid €60 million for the midfielder in 2015. Since then, his value has steadily increased and sits at €150 million today.
Attacking Midfield: Phillipe Coutinho (Barcelona), Value €120 Million
Barcelona's record signing sits alongside Kevin De Bruyne in our market value XI. The former Liverpool player enjoyed an excellent World Cup with Brazil, outshining Neymar Jr. for most of the tournament. While he has had little time to make an impact at Barcelona, his first full season is sure to excite the Nou Camp faithful, particularly if he can reproduce his Anfield form for his new employers.
A sensational player on his day, Coutinho is in the mould of a typical Brazilian number 10. Speed, long-range shooting, and flair are the essential ingredients to Coutinho's overall game and the Brazilian exceeds at all of them. His incredible technique even led to Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino, comparing Coutinho to Messi:
"I do think Coutinho has that same quality that Ronaldinho and Messi have, but he has much to prove yet."
Coutinho's market value development soared during his time at Anfield. Valued at just €10 million when signing for Liverpool from Inter Milan in 2013, the Brazilian was valued at over €100 million upon his departure in January of this year. Today, his value of €120 million makes him the second most valuable Brazilian in the world.
Central Midfield: Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Value €90 Million
There's nothing quite like winning the World Cup to see your market value soar with Paul Pogba the third Frenchman in the team. It is odd to think that Manchester United let Pogba go for nothing before buying him back for a record fee at the time, but the Frenchman still retains his value. Rumours of a return to Juventus seem fanciful, however, the World Cup winner needs a good season if he wants to retain his value.
Pogba exudes style and confidence when at the top of his game. His passing, first touch, and ability to win the ball back has made him one of the biggest names in world football. However, he also has a tendency to go missing for large periods of matches.
At only 25 years old, the French star still has plenty of time left to cement his place as one of the greatest midfielders to ever grace the field.
Pogba's market value development has stagnated in recent years due to his average performances for Manchester United. His biggest rise in value came during his stint in Turin. Valued at just €3.5 million when Juventus signed him on a free transfer, Pogba came back to Manchester with a valuation of €105 million.
He has since slipped back to €90 million, but if he helps Manchester United win another Premier League title, he is sure to find his valuation reaching six figures again.
Left Winger: Neymar Jr. (Paris Saint-Germain), Value €180 Million
Neymar Jr. was born to become a star. From an early age, his career path has been carefully planned by his father and a team of associates. Moving to Barcelona in 2013, Neymar Jr. truly found his place on the world stage.
However, sharing the spotlight with Messi & Co. didn't suit the Brazilian and last summer Paris Saint-Germain smashed the world transfer record to bring the talented winger to Parc des Princes.
There is no questioning Neymar Jr.'s talent. The playmaker has a wide range of talents on the football field, striking fear into the opposition's defence. Capable of devastation with both feet, he is often touted as a future Ballon d'Or winner. However, recent playacting and diving have led many to question whether the Brazilian can truly be considered as 'great'.
Neymar Jr.'s market value development steadily increased during his time with Barcelona. Valued at €50 million upon his arrival at the Nou Camp, the Brazilian left for Paris with an astonishing transfer fee of €222 million.
However, data suggests that fee was greatly inflated and Neymar Jr. is currently valued at €180 million. This makes him the joint most valuable player in the world along with our next entry.
Second Striker: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Value €180 Million
Lionel Messi holds two distinctions in this XI. The first is that despite being the oldest player to feature in the team, he is the joint most valuable with Neymar Jr. The second is that he is the only player in this XI to have never transferred clubs.
The little magician has every right to call himself the greatest player of all time with perhaps the only glitch in his glittering career being a lack of titles with his nation, Argentina.
Messi's skills, pace, low centre of gravity, and finishing make him a devastating player. Predominantly left-footed, the Argentine can also execute near impossible technique with his right foot. There are simply not enough superlatives in the English language to describe, however, his extraordinary trophy collection, both personal and with Barcelona, speak for themselves.
Messi's market value development is unique. There haven't been any transfers to signal what clubs are willing to pay and instead data is based around current market values. His biggest moves came in 2010 when he reached a value of €100 million before any player was bought for close to that sum.
Between 2017 and 2018 his value jumped from €120 million to €180 million. This jump is likely due to Neymar Jr.'s transfer inflating the market.
Right Winger: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Value €150 Million
Perhaps the most shocking entry on this list, and the player who has ensured Cristiano Ronaldo and Killian Mbappe are left on the bench, Mo Salah has soared over the past 12 months.
Arriving at Anfield last summer for an initial fee of €42 million, nobody expected the 26-year-old to impress the way he has. Leading Liverpool to the Champions League final while scoring 32 goals in 36 games, Salah has established himself as one of the world's best.
A hard-working, skilful player, Salah spent the early part of his career as an average attacking midfielder. However, a fine season at Roma in 2016/17 saw Salah move to Anfield and flourish under Jurgen Klopp's 'heavy metal' football.
Given the freedom to roam and attack, Salah displayed his finishing prowess and has vastly improved as a player over the past year.
Salah's market value development is the fastest growing of the XI featured in this team. Just one year ago, the Egyptian was valued at €40 million and far away from making a most valuable XI of any kind. However, after his astonishing season with Liverpool, his value has almost quadrupled and now sits at €150 million.
Here is the world's most valuable XI in full:
