1. Jude Bellingham - £228.4m
Real Madrid
Ranked as the fourth-most valuable player in the world in 2023, Jude Bellingham now leads the pack with an astounding value of £228.4m. Real Madrid secured the Englishman for a base transfer fee of £88.5m, and he was entrusted with the number five jersey previously worn by the iconic Zinedine Zidane.
Has Bellingham upheld Zidane's legacy in this prestigious jersey? Thus far, he has excelled. At just 20 years old, Bellingham swiftly established himself as a cornerstone of Madrid's squad, achieving a remarkable 20-goal tally across all competitions by spring, despite primarily featuring in midfield. This impressive performance underscores why the former Borussia Dortmund player is recognized as one of the premier English talents to have succeeded abroad.
Jude Bellingham's 2023/24 Stats | |
|---|---|
Games | 34 |
Goals | 20 |
Assists | 10 |
Contract expires | 30th June 2029 |
2.Erling Haaland - £214.5m
Manchester City
While he may have lost his title as the most valuable player in the world since last season, Erling Haaland, the striker for Manchester City, is not far behind his former Dortmund teammate Bellingham. Despite not matching his incredible tally of 52 goals in his debut season, Haaland has reclaimed his position as the Premier League's top scorer, leading to a rise in his valuation this season.
City reportedly acquired the Norwegian for just £51m, a deal that has proven to be an absolute steal. Pep Guardiola lauded him as 'unique' after Haaland shattered Alan Shearer and Andy Cole's record for league goals in a season during 2022/23. Rio Ferdinand, after City's 7-0 victory over RB Leipzig, remarked that Haaland brings 'a superpower' to his current club. Named the IFFHS' Footballer of 2023, it's daunting to consider that the 23-year-old has yet to reach his peak.
Erling Haaland's 2023/24 Stats | |
|---|---|
Games | 38 |
Goals | 31 |
Assists | 6 |
Contract expires | 30th June 2027 |
3.Vinicius Junior - £213.7m
Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior was tipped to be the next Neymar when he first joined Real Madrid, and he's more than lived up to the hype. While he struggled for goals in his first couple of seasons at the club, he's developed into one of the most prolific wingers in world football. The Brazilian has managed to reach double figures for both goals and assists in the past two La Liga seasons, proving he is just as creative as he is clinical.
Following the departure of Karim Benzema, the 23-year-old has become the main star at the club, alongside Bellingham. Defenders dread coming up against the fast and agile wide man as he never switches off and, as a result, never lets an opposing full-back rest. Many will expect Vinicius to find himself in the running to win the Ballon d'Or within the next decade.
Vinicius Junior's 2023/24 Stats | |
|---|---|
Games | 30 |
Goals | 18 |
Assists | 10 |
Contract expires | 30th June 2027 |
4.Rodrygo - £211.7m
Real Madrid
Winger Rodrygo trails just behind his two Real Madrid teammates in stature. Often overshadowed by his Madrid and international colleague Vinicius, there's no denying Rodrygo's immense talent. Frequently compared to the legendary Brazilian player Neymar, the winger faces significant expectations, but he has steadily come into his own over the past few seasons.
The 23-year-old was part of the lethal trio—alongside Vinicius and Benzema—that dominated the 2021/22 Champions League, helping Real Madrid secure their 14th major European title. With Benzema's departure, Rodrygo's role has expanded, and despite his young age, he appears to be living up to the hype. After a challenging start to the 2023/24 season, marked by an 11-game goalless streak, manager Carlo Ancelotti has praised his return to top form.
Rodrygo's 2023/24 Stats | |
|---|---|
Games | 43 |
Goals | 16 |
Assists | 8 |
Contract expires | 30th June 2028 |
5.Bukayo Saka - £190.4m
Arsenal
Arsenal's rising star Bukayo Saka may trail Rodrygo by more than £20m in valuation, but his worth has recently surged from £167.2m in the latest CIES update. The Englishman committed to a new four-year contract, binding him to the club until 2027. Coupled with standout performances in the 2023/24 season for the Gunners, it's clear why his market value is soaring.
Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal has emerged as one of Europe's top teams, with Saka leading their charge. At just 22 years old, he is widely regarded as one of the Premier League's premier wingers, having already notched double-digit goals and assists this season while playing a pivotal role in Arsenal's progression to the Champions League knockout stages. Additionally, he clinched the English Player of the Year award in 2023 for the second time, underscoring his stature. Despite his achievements, some might find his fifth place in CIES' rankings a tad conservative.
Bukayo Saka's 2023/24 Stats | |
|---|---|
Games | 41 |
Goals | 18 |
Assists | 13 |
Contract expires | 30th June 2027 |
6.Phil Foden - £167.2m
Manchester City
Ranked sixth on the list, Manchester City's Phil Foden has seen his value increase by nearly £25m since last summer. The 23-year-old has already amassed over 200 appearances for Manchester City and boasts an impressive haul of 16 trophies in his career, including a historic treble in the 2022/23 season.
Regarded as one of the most technically gifted English players of his generation, Foden is celebrated for his exceptional dribbling skills and still possesses ample potential for further growth. Despite his talents, there's an argument that he hasn't always received full recognition at the international level, although his playing time is increasing as Euro 2024 approaches.
Phil Foden's 2023/24 Stats | |
|---|---|
Games | 45 |
Goals | 22 |
Assists | 10 |
Contract expires | 30th June 2027 |
7.Gavi - £147.8m
Barcelona
Barcelona has a storied history of producing exceptionally talented midfielders—Andres Iniesta, Xavi, and Sergio Busquets among them. Gavi is the latest addition to this illustrious lineage, already establishing himself as a top player in his position on the global stage. At just 19 years old, Gavi has accumulated over 100 appearances for Barcelona and played a pivotal role in their La Liga title triumph during the 2022/23 season, featuring in 36 league matches.
He has also earned 27 international caps for Spain, contributing to La Roja's Nations League victory in June 2023. Despite his current valuation of £147.8m, Barcelona has secured Gavi with an astonishing £866m release clause in his contract. Any potential suitors would need to meet this astronomical figure at a minimum to tempt him away from Catalonia.
Gavi's 2023/24 Stats | |
|---|---|
Games | 15 |
Goals | 2 |
Assists | 1 |
Contract expires | 30th June 2026 |
8.Julian Alvarez - £140.6m
Manchester City
A newcomer to CIES' top 10 rankings, and rightfully so. Few players have enjoyed a more stellar end to 2022 and 2023 than Manchester City's Julian Alvarez, the dynamic striker who has achieved almost everything by the age of 23. World Cup winner? Check. Copa America? Check. Champions League? Check. Premier League? Check. The list goes on...
Described as 'an incredible threat' by his manager, Pep Guardiola, Alvarez has become a key figure for City in the 2023/24 season. The Argentine has significantly increased his assists compared to last season and maintains an impressive scoring record in the Champions League, almost averaging a goal per game. His performances could well lead City to their second European trophy in as many years.
Julian Alvarez's 2023/24 Stats | |
|---|---|
Games | 46 |
Goals | 16 |
Assists | 13 |
Contract expires | 30th June 2028 |
9.Jamal Musiala - £130.1m
Bayern Munich
Believe it or not, Jamal Musiala was once a part of Chelsea's youth academy. The German attended Whitgift School in Croydon before joining Bayern Munich in 2019. Since his move, the 21-year-old has blossomed into one of football's most admired young talents, becoming a key figure for both Bayern and the German national team.
Musiala is widely recognized as one of the best young players globally, showcasing his agility and lethal attacking prowess at a remarkably young age among Europe's top clubs. Despite rumored interest from Liverpool in October 2023, any club aiming to secure his services would likely need to meet his current market value of £130.1m at a minimum.
Jamal Musiala's 2023/24 Stats | |
|---|---|
Games | 35 |
Goals | 12 |
Assists | 7 |
Contract expires | 30th June 2026 |
10.Martin Odegaard - £128.6m
Arsenal
Completing our top 10 and edging out his teammate Gabriel Martinelli by less than £2.1m, we find Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard. Arsenal initially signed the Norwegian on loan in 2021 before making the deal permanent, a move that has proven to be one of the club's best transfer decisions in history. Since joining, Odegaard has consistently impressed fans and manager Mikel Arteta.
Bringing a unique combination of energy and productivity to the north London club, Odegaard has played a crucial role in Arsenal's return to the Champions League and their presence in consecutive Premier League title races. Praised by Gary Neville as a player whom even Guardiola would covet at Manchester City (and indeed every manager in the league), Odegaard's current market value stands at £128.6m. Arsenal's initial £30m investment in 2021 now appears increasingly like a steal with each passing day.
Martin Odegaard's 2023/24 Stats | |
|---|---|
Games | 41 |
Goals | 10 |
Assists | 7 |
Contract expires | 30th June 2028 |
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