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Over the past few seasons we have seen some ridiculously big sums being paid by teams in order to secure the services of some of the top players in the world. The transfer market has definitely been inflated and with several big names linked with a move in the transfer window, it looks like we're in for more of the same.
However, the valuation of players have actually come down in the current Covid pandemic scenario and today and price tags of players have come down from astronomical figures. Today, we take a look at the most valuable players in the Spanish top flight.
10 most valuable players in La Liga at the moment
#10 Raphael Varane - €64 million
The Real Madrid centre-back's market value would have taken a hit after that nightmare of a performance against Manchester City in their Round of 16 tie where 2 defensive errors committed by the Frenchman cost the Blancos the game and a chance to progress to the quarter-finals.
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That being said, Varane continues to be one of the best centre-backs in the world and the World Cup winner still continues to be one of the most-sought after defenders in the world. He is also expected to take over as the main man at the back for Real Madrid pretty soon as Ramos is now walking into the twilight of his career.
#9 Casemiro - #64 million
Casemiro has been one of Real Madrid's standout performers as they went on to clinch the La Liga title this term. The Brazilian has been outstanding in the heart of midfield, always on call to destroy the opposition's attack before storming into the attacking realms to help out on the other side of the pitch.
He has provided the much needed defensive cover for the Real Madrid backline and has dispensed his duties with aplomb and is easily one of the best defensive midfielders in the world.
#8 Saul Niguez - €72 million
The Atletico Madrid central midfielder has been scouted by some of the big names in European football and his list of admirers include both Manchester City and Manchester United- both big spenders.
Saul is excellent defensively and is a formidable unit all by himself in Cholo Simeone's midfield. The Spaniard is good with the ball at his feet as well and has the ability to wriggle out of tight spaces. He is definitely going to earn Atletico a lot of money if they sell him.
#7 Frenkie De Jong - €72 million
Barcelona's most valued youngster, Frenkie De Jong arrived from Ajax in 2019 January for a sum of €75 million. De Jong is an incredible midfield talent who is simply too mature for his age.
He made 29 appearances for Barcelona in the La Liga and has a pass success rate of 91.8%. De Jong has all the qualities that could make him a legend at the Camp Nou and is cut from the same cloth as the likes of Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta. It is then no surprise that he is one of the most valuable players in the league.
#6 Marc Andre ter Stegen - €72 million
The Barcelona goalkeeper has been proven over the past few years that he is one of the best in the business. The German international is now holding talks with Barcelona over a new contract. He is in the last 2 years of his current deal.
Chelsea and Inter Milan have been keeping tabs on ter Stegen's contract talks and in case he fails to reach an agreement with Barcelona, then a bidding war is expected to break out.
#5 Eden Hazard - €80 million
Eden Hazard's much awaited move to Real Madrid happened last summer for a sum in the ballpark of €100 million. But unfortunately, the Belgian hasn't exactly lit up the Santiago Bernabeu as he was expected to.
He did miss out on a major part of the season owing to an injury but from 22 appearances in the La Liga and the Champions League, Hazard has only scored 1 goal and provided 3 assists. That is perhaps the reason why his transfer market value has dropped.
#4 Jan Oblak - €80 million
Atletico Madrid's goalkeeper Jan Oblak has been absolutely dominant between the sticks. The Slovenian has been consistently delivering the goods and is perhaps the best shot stopper in the world right now.
Atletico had initially bought him from Benfica for €16 million and just halfway through his debut season, he had already displaced the club's then no. 1 Miguel Angel Moya.
He has been a consistent performer for the Rojiblancos and in a world where Kepa Arrizabalaga warrants €80 million, Jan Oblak's valuation seems ridiculous.
#3 Joao Felix - €81 million
At 20-years-old, Joao Felix has a long road to travel and going by his performance in his debut season at Atletico Madrid, he has a long way to go before justifying the €126 million that was paid in order to secure his services.
Don't get us wrong, there is no doubting Joao Felix's talent and he has definitely shown signs of coming up trumps in the near future. But his market value has taken a hit after scoring just 6 goals and racking up just 1 assist this term.
#2 Antoine Griezmann - €96 million
There were several doubts about how Griezmann was going to be able to fit into Barcelona's possession based system after joining from Atletico Madrid for a whopping €120 million.
Griezmann struggled to replicate the numbers he used to clock at his former club and is already being talked about as an ill-advised signing in many circles due to his concerning levels of productivity. The Frenchman was able to score just 9 goals and provide 4 assists from 35 appearances in the La Liga.
But Griezmann's quality is undeniable and the 29-year-old definitely has the goods to silence his critics with an excellent sophomore season.
#1 Lionel Messi - €112 million
Arguably the greatest footballer alive right now, Lionel Messi needs no introduction. The Barcelona legend continues to be a God among mortals and has once again been the most important cog in the Barcelona system.
It is still all too easy for the Argentine on the pitch and if at all his unwavering loyalty to Barcelona takes a hit and he decides to move, he is almost certain to bring the Cules an amount that could be way greater than his transfer market valuation.
Messi scored 24 goals and 21 assists from 33 appearances in the La Liga this term and has been the best player in the league as well.
