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The market value and transfer fees of players depend on a lot of factors. Right from their playing ability to their marketablilty, a number of variables are taken into consideration.
A player's potential and the number of years remaining in a contract also play a huge role. Young superstars like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland could be on the move this summer with all the top clubs around Europe monitoring the situation closely.
There has been some incredible rise and fall in market values as well recently. Neymar has struggled with form and injuries and with the Brazilian now 29, his market value has dipped quite a bit. Vinicius Jr, on the other hand, has seen an exponential rise in his market value after some great performances for Real Madrid this season.
Without further ado, let us take a look at the 10 most valuable players in world football at the moment:
(Market values from Transfermarkt)
#10 Phil Foden (Manchester City) | €85 million
Known as the 'Stockport Iniesta', Phil Foden has put in some remarkable performances for both Manchester City and England in 2021. One of the best players in the Premier League at the moment, Foden breaks into the top 10 most valuable players list for the first time, taking the place of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
An excellent passer and dribbler, Foden has been integral to Manchester City's dominance in the Premier League this season. The young Englishman has already contributed 5 goals and 3 assists so far.
A versatile player capable of playing many positions across attacking midfield and the forward line, Foden will be hoping to build on his good performances and have an even better 2022.
#9 Neymar (PSG) | €90 million
In March 2021, Neymar was second on this list and was worth €128 million. However, injuries and a loss of form has seen his market value drop more than €30 million in the last few months.
One of the best players of this generation, Neymar is running out of time to really cement his legacy and win a Ballon d'Or award during his career. The Brazilian is still capable of magical things when he is in the mood.
Neymar was brilliant at this year's Copa America in Brazil and has shown glimpses of his genius for PSG as well. With Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe dominating all the headlines at the moment, the Brazilian superstar will be itching to get back into action and bamboozle opposition defenders once again.
Also read to know Neymar's girlfriend, Carolina Dantas, and why they split?
#8 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) | €90 million
Another player who has seen a slight dip in his market value is Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne. One of the best midfielders of this generation, De Bruyne has also struggled with some niggling injuries this year.
But whenever he has been fit, De Bruyne has put in some stunning performances for both club and country. A complete midfielder, De Bruyne's passing, throughballs and vision are all legendary.
The Belgian is arguably Manchester City's best player and Pep Guardiola will be hoping that De Bruyne remains fit and firing in 2022.
#7 Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) | €90 million
Bruno Fernandes might not have been at his best in the last few weeks, but there is no denying the fact that he has been one of the Premier League's most consistent performers in 2021.
Still only 27, the Portuguese midfielder has plenty of years left at the top and will be determined to win trophies at Manchester United. A brilliant playmaker who scores plenty of goals as well, Fernandes could play a huge role in Ralf Rangnick's project at Old Trafford.
In 17 Premier League appearances, the Portuguese midfielder already has 5 goals and 3 assists. He will need to get back to his best soon if Manchester United are to finish in the top 4 of the Premier League and challenge for trophies this season.
Read more about Bruno Fernandes' lookalike, the Olympic champion Khalil Jendoubi.
#6 Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea) | €100 million
Lukaku has been in the news recently for his comments on Chelsea's style of play under Thomas Tuchel, but one cannot forget the fact that he has been one of the best strikers of 2021.
A powerful forward capable of scoring all kinds of goals, Lukaku, like some other players on this list, has also struggled with some form and fitness issues in the last few weeks.
The 28-year-old has shown signs of getting back into form and has scored in his last 2 Premier League appearances against Aston Villa and Brighton. Romelu Lukaku will have to be at his best if Chelsea are to challenge for major trophies this season.
Also get to know Romelu Lukaku’s girlfriend, Sarah Mens, her profession, and why the couple broke up.
#5 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) | €100 million
After a slow start to the season, Harry Kane seems to be finally getting back to his best under Antonio Conte. One of the greatest goalscorers to have ever played in the Premier League, Kane's finishing and playmaking skills won him both the Golden Boot and best playmaker award in the Premier League last season.
The England captain, much like Tottenham, looked off-color in the first few months of this season. However, after Antonio Conte's arrival, Kane seems to be revitalized again.
There has been a lot of speculation regarding Harry Kane's future in the last few months. Conte and Tottenham fans will be desperate for their star man to extend his contract.
#4 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - €100 million
Undoubtedly the Premier League's best player this season, Mohamed Salah has taken his career to new heights at Liverpool. The 'Egyptian King' has been in stunning goalscoring form and has already scored an incredible 15 goals in 19 Premier League appearances.
A true global superstar, Salah's contract situation at Liverpool has been up for debate in the last few months. While the Egyptian forward is happy to stay at the club, he wants an offer which shows how much Liverpool value him.
Sorting out Salah's contract will be one of Jurgen Klopp's and Liverpool's top priorities in 2022.
Read about Mohamed Salah's wife, Magi Sadeq, how they met and when they got married.
#3 Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid) | €100 million
The biggest riser in terms of market value on this list, Vinicius Jr has been in absolutely stunning form for Real Madrid this season. If he continues his good form, the young Brazilian could well end up becoming a future Ballon d'Or winner.
Blessed with electric pace, Vinicius' decision-making skills and game has really matured over the last few months. Still only 21, the pacy forward will be determined to make a mark for the Brazilian national team as well in 2022.
Vinicius has been one of Real Madrid's standout performers in the last few months. In just 19 La Liga games for Los Blancos, the electric forward has already scored 10 goals and grabbed 4 assists.
Vinicius has been in such good form on the left wing for Real Madrid that Carlo Ancelloti has not missed Eden Hazard at all this season.
#2 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund) | €150 million
Erling Haaland is quite simply one of the biggest talents of this generation. A supreme striker capable of scoring all kinds of goals, Haaland, at 21, is already one of the best players in the world.
An incredible goalscorer, the Norwegian superstar has already scored an amazing 13 goals in just 11 Bundesliga appearances this season.
Haaland has also been heavily linked with an exit in the coming months with all the top clubs around Europe keeping a keen eye on his future.
Blessed with electric pace and supreme finishing skills, Haaland is set to break plenty of goalscoring records in the future.
#1 Kylian Mbappe (PSG) | €160 million
Unsurprisingly, the most valuable player in world football at the moment is PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe. The 23-year-old forward has been consistently among the world's best players in the last 4 years and it only seems like a matter of time before he wins the Ballon d'Or award.
Kylian Mbappe's future, just like Erling Haaland's, has been subject to intense speculation in the last few months. The French superstar's PSG contract ends on June 2022 and a high profile move to Real Madrid has been mooted.
PSG and Barcelona legend Ronaldinho, however, said that he sees Mbappe staying at PSG for a long time:
"Today all the players in the world want to play for PSG, the best are for PSG so it's the best club in the world. So I imagine that he will be here for a long time."
As the incredible Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi rivalry seems to be winding down to an end, football fans will be hoping that Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland carry the baton forward and put in some stunning performances for many years to come.
