New figures show the most valuable players in world football in 2022

A new market value estimate from Football Observatory has revealed football’s most valuable players heading into the 2022 summer transfer window.

As ever, the fees thrown around in football continue to increase. Ten players have broken the £100 million transfer fee mark, all with differing success. Most recently, both Manchester City and Chelsea both spent over £100 million in the summer of 2021. Their marquee signings were Jack Grealish and Romelu Lukaku, respectively.

But neither of these players feature in the top section of the latest rankings from the CIES Football Observatory. This research group from Switzerland independently study and interpret stats and data from the beautiful game.

Their work provides fans with fascinating findings, such as their 100 most valuable players list. Here is their top five for 2022.

#5: Jude Bellingham (€133.7 million)

The first of two teenagers in the top five, Jude Bellingham beats England teammate Phil Foden into fifth place. Football Observatory value Bellingham at €133.7 million.

Despite this staggering fee, teams such as Manchester United and Liverpool are in the hunt for the England youngster. He is a regular for Borussia Dortmund, who have made it clear that Bellingham is not for sale this summer. As one of football’s brightest young prospects, the former Birmingham City man may move away from Germany in the coming years.

#4: Pedri (€135.1 million)

Pedri is the other teenager in the most valuable player top five, edging just ahead of Bellingham. The Spanish midfielder’s market value stands at €135.1 million. However, this is miles away from the release clause in his Barcelona contract. If a club wants to skip negotiations with the Catalan giants, they will have to fork out an unbelievable €1 billion.

Unfortunately, injuries have plagued Pedri’s 2021/22, as he made just 21 appearances across all competitions. Hopefully, the talented midfielder can re-find the fitness and form that saw him win the 2021 FIFA Kopa award for the best young player.

#3: Erling Haaland (€152.6 million)

Manchester City’s new striker ranks at No.3 in Football Observer’s values. Haaland is valued at €152.6 million, signalling a big leap in player valuation for the top three. With this in mind, how on earth did Man City get Erling Haaland for so cheap?

Excluding agent fees and potential add-ons, the Citizens signed Haaland for a release clause of just €60 million – incredible value for one of the world’s best attackers. Last season, the Norwegian scored 22 goals and provided eight assists in just 26 Bundesliga matches.

With the world-class service available to him at the Etihad, Haaland could be in for an absolutely huge year.

#2: Vinicius Junior (€185.3 million)

After scoring the winning goal in the 2022 Champions League final, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior has the world at his feet. It looks like he’ll be staying at Los Blancos for a while too. Football Observatory value the Brazilian at a massive €185.3 million.

The 22-year-old has proven himself as a world-class player in 2021/22. In 52 appearances for Real, Vinicius has managed 22 goals and 20 assists from the wing. In addition, he was a key member of Carlo Ancelotti’s side that took home the La Liga title and a 14th Champions League.

#1: Kylian Mbappe (€205.6 million)

Paris Saint-Germain’s leading man, Kylian Mbappe, takes the top spot on Football Observatory’s most valuable players list. He also becomes the first player on the list to break the €200 million mark, coming in at €205.6 million.

The subject of incessant speculation, Mbappe finally ended his contract saga by snubbing Real Madrid and re-signing with PSG. His new contract nets him an incredible amount of money per week whilst keeping him in Paris until 2025.

Les Parisiens will certainly hope that he lives up to the cost. With 28 goals and 17 assists in Ligue 1 last season, the mercurial forward is already one of the world’s best. Also, at just 23, Mbappe has plenty of time on his side. Can he lead PSG to success in Europe? Only time will tell.

Rounding out the top ten are Manchester City pair Phil Foden (sixth) and Ruben Dias (ninth), as well as Liverpool winger Luis Diaz (eighth). Finally, Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong (seventh) and Ferran Torres (10th) complete Football Observatory’s most valuable player list.

For the full top 100 list, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Getty