Players with the highest estimated transfer values in world football

It's fair to say that the transfer market has gone, well, bonkers in recent years.

We now regularly see transfer fees of over £100m, with two such deals taking place in the Premier League just last summer. As more and more money rolls in, player values continue to skyrocket.

Thanks to CIES Football Observatory, we can see the most valuable players in the game. Their statistical model predicts a footballer's expected transfer value in the modern market, with the final total influenced by various factors, including contract length, age and past deals.

With that in mind, let's take a look at the ten players with the highest transfer values in world football.

10. Martin Odegaard

Club: Arsenal
Transfer value: £150.6m

The first of two Arsenal players in the top ten for transfer value, a deal for Martin Odegaard would, hypothetically, set any prospective buyer back a little over £150m. Given the Norwegian cost the Gunners approximately £30m, it remains a sensational piece of business.

More importantly, Odegaard continues to be one of the most influential and creative midfielders in the Premier League and was one of the north London club's best players during their title tilt with Manchester City last season.

While he hasn't been in quite as sparkling form this term, he has still been a key contributor for Mikel Arteta and signed a new contract in September 2023.

9. Jamal Musiala

Club: Bayern Munich
Transfer value: £152.4m

The dancing feet of Bayern Munich's young prodigy make him one of the most exquisite footballers to watch. Jamal Musiala even provided the Bundesliga-winning goal for the German outfit on the final day of last season, showing his ability to come up clutch for Thomas Tuchel's side.

One that Chelsea let get away from their academy, he's exactly the sort of player the Blues would now buy for a ludicrous sum - or £152.4m to be precise.

That figure is only likely to rise in coming years, with Musiala capable of developing into a truly elite attacking midfielder.

8. Julian Alvarez

Club: Manchester City
Transfer value: £164.7m

A World Cup winner at just 23 years old, Julian Alvarez announced himself to the world last season. While he didn't produce the eye-catching statistical output of strike partner Erling Haaland, he remained an integral part of Pep Guardiola's treble-winning side.

The Argentine has developed even further this season, stepping up when Man City's hulking Norwegian has been absent. A tactically intelligent forward, his versatility and technical prowess make him an incredibly tough player to stop in full flow.

7. Gavi

Club: Barcelona
Transfer value: £175.4m

Still just a teenager, Gavi's transfer value certainly won't increase over the next six months. The Spaniard suffered a season-ending injury earlier this term on international duty, even putting his participation at Euro 2024 in doubt.

Hopefully, the extremely talented midfielder can find his feet again quickly upon his return, but there is the possibility that his estimated transfer value will drop in the coming months.

However, the 19-year-old wonderkid remains a sensational footballer and someone who has an astonishing £866m release clause in his contract with Barcelona.

6. Phil Foden

Club: Manchester City
Transfer value: £195.8m

Another Man City starlet who dazzled in a historic season for the English club, Phil Foden is unsurprisingly among the top ten most valuable assets in world football.

With an expected fee of just under £200m required for his services, there is no chance that the midfielder will leave the Etihad Stadium any time soon.

5. Bukayo Saka

Club: Arsenal
Transfer value: £223.0m

Arsenal's most valuable player, Bukayo Saka's price tag just increases and increases with every passing month. The winger was unstoppable last term and has picked up from where left off this campaign.

The 22-year-old is valued at £223m on the dot, although the Gunners would be unlikely to entertain any offers for the English dynamo.

Saka managed 26 goal contributions in 48 appearances last season from the right flank and racked up 20 before the halfway mark of the current campaign.

4. Rodrygo

Club: Real Madrid
Transfer value: £247.9m

While he remains somewhat in the shadow of fellow Real Madrid attacker and Brazil teammate Vinicius Junior, the energetic Rodrygo has been a huge asset for the Spanish side since his arrival.

Not only has he taken up the mantle when Vinicius has been missing, he's provided some huge moments in the white of Madrid, including that dramatic late double in the 2021/22 Champions League semi-final that helped Los Blancos to a 14th European Cup.

Valued at just under £250m, the 23-year-old continues to flourish in the Spanish capital.

3. Vinicius Junior

Club: Real Madrid
Transfer value: £250.3m

Only valued slightly higher than Rodrygo, the former Flamengo attacker has become an irrepressible force for Madrid. His brilliance was summed up by a first-half hat-trick in the 2024 Supercopa de Espana final against Barcelona.

The Brazilian also scored the winner in a Champions League final back in 2022 and has gone from strength to strength at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Vinicius' electric pace, explosive dribbling and clinical edge make him a world-beating threat for Madrid and Brazil.

2. Erling Haaland

Club: Manchester City
Transfer value: £251.2m

Unfortunate not to claim his first Ballon d'Or during Man City's treble-winning campaign, Erling Haaland has scored with robotic frequency at the Etihad since his arrival.

The Norwegian smashed the record for goals in a single Premier League season as he helped Guardiola's side to the title, finishing the campaign with 52 goals in 53 matches in all competitions.

The freakishly efficient forward is valued at just over £250m and he is worth every penny of that, although Man City managed to secure his signature for much less.

1. Jude Bellingham

Club: Real Madrid
Transfer value: £267.5m

The most valuable footballer on the planet, there can be no denying Jude Bellingham's excellence. The midfielder had blossomed at Borussia Dortmund but has taken his game to a whole new level at Madrid.

The summer signing has piled up the goals by playing much further up the pitch at the Bernabeu. Bellingham has even been used as a shadow striker this term, underling his versatility and intelligence.

Bellingham's maturity and technical qualities make him arguably the most exciting player in world football and someone you would pay good money to watch week after week.

However, the Englishman's place at number one may be under threat when Kylian Mbappe makes his next move or signs a new deal with Paris Saint-Germain.

30 highest estimated transfer values in world football

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