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Player valuation in football has always been a debatable topic. It is not easy to understand how a particular player reaches the value that he does.
Transfer fees are amounts set by the selling club after they evaluate how valuable a certain player is to the club. World-class players understandably cost a lot more than others. But it can be argued that the current financial climate has had an impact on their values considerably.
On that note, here's a look at the ten most valuable players in the world at the moment.
#10 Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) | £81 million
Barcelona might not be in a good financial situation right now, but their young generation is making waves.
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While the likes of Pedri, Ansu Fati, and more recently Gavi, have caught attention, Frenkie de Jong is arguably the jewel in their crown. The Netherlands international joined Barcelona from Ajax for nearly £77.5 million in 2019, and has done well given the circumstances at the club.
De Jong is one of the best players in his age group. The 24-year-old has the potential to become one of the best midfielders in world football. An excellent dribbler, technically gifted, and with an eye for a pass, De Jong is already a star who will be important in Barcelona's recovery.
#9 Jadon Sancho (Manchester United) | £81 million
Jadon Sancho is being criticised for his limited impact at Manchester United, despite him producing some decent performances so far.
Sancho joined Manchester United this summer from Borussia Dortmund for £76.5 million. During his time in Germany, the England international was regarded as one of the best young players in world football. Manchester United did well to sign him, despite Sancho being linked with a few other top clubs.
The England international has endured a quiet start to his Premier League career. However, it is certainly not correct to judge a 21-year-old on the basis of nine games while representing one of the biggest clubs in the world. Sancho is likely to come good for the Old Trafford outfit.
#8 Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) | £90 million
It is difficult to describe Neymar's Paris Saint-Germain stint. There have been some top moments, but can the move be described as an outright success, given the money involved?
Neymar cost Paris Saint-Germain nearly £200 million in 2017, making him the most expensive footballer of all time. The 29-year-old is a world-class operator. and one of the best players in the world. But he has not featured regularly for Paris Saint-Germain over the years. Injuries and personal reasons have often been cited for that.
It is true that Neymar was key as Paris Saint-Germain reached the final of the UEFA Champions League in 2020. The Brazil international is a box-office player, and when gets going, it is difficult to stop him. He looks buoyed and rejuvenated following Lionel Messi's arrival this summer, although he has endured a timid start to this season.
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#7 Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) | £90 million
Kevin De Bruyne is one of the best players in the world. The midfielder has been consistently excellent for club and country for some time now.
A magical footballer, De Bruyne combines guile and creativity with world-class technical ability. The Belgium international has been a revelation at Manchester City since joining the club in 2015. In 269 appearances in all competitions, he has scored 69 goals and provided 107 assists for the club.
His performances have not gone unnoticed. De Bruyne has won the PFA Players' Player of the Year twice, and the Premier League Player of the Season once. A three-time Premier League winner with Manchester City, the 30-year old is already regarded as one of the Premier League's finest.
#6 Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea) | £90 million
For a while, it seemed as if Romelu Lukaku had stagnated. A prodigious talent during his Anderlecht days, Lukaku's struggles at Manchester United made people question his ability.
The striker joined Inter Milan in 2019, and departed the club two seasons later with the nickname King of Milan and as a Serie A winner. The Belgium international became a world-class footballer in Italy under Antonio Conte, and is now seen as one of the best strikers in the game.
Lukaku returned to Chelsea this summer for a club-record fee of £103.5 million. As expected, the 28-year-old has enjoyed a good start. A prolific goalscorer, Lukaku has already registered four goals for Chelsea, the club he supported as a young boy.
#5 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) | £90 million
On current form, it can be argued that Mohamed Salah is the best player in world football. It can also be argued that he is currently operating on the same level as Lionel Messi.
Salah is a world-class player; there can be no doubt about that. The 29-year-old has already achieved a lot since joining Liverpool in 2017. He has won the Champions League and the Premier League with the club. In 212 appearances in all competitions for the club, he has scored 134 goals, and provided 50 assists.
However, he seems to be touching new heights this season. Salah has often looked untouchable in games, with his speed, technical quality and quick feet causing immense problems to defenders.
His performance and goal against Manchester City a few days ago have already attained legendary status. The Egypt international's contract expires in 2023, and Liverpool must do all they can to get him to sign a new one.
#4 Jack Grealish (Manchester City) | £90 million
When Jack Grealish signed for Manchester City this summer, it surprised a few. Pep Guardiola was a huge fan of Grealish, and Manchester City had been linked with him heavily for some time.
Manchester City paid Aston Villa nearly £106 million for Grealish's services, highlighting how highly rated he is. The 26-year-old was one of the best players in the Premier League last season, impressing with his dribbling, creativity and drive.
Grealish is a gifted footballer, and should thrive under Guardiola. The England international has scored two goals for his new club so far, and has looked sharp. Much more is expected from such an exciting player, though.
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#3 Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) | £108 million
Harry Kane is yet to score a goal in the Premier League this season, a surprising stat for such a wonderful footballer.
One has to wonder whether Kane has not yet fully recovered after this summer's events. The striker was extremely interested in moving to Manchester City, who had targeted him as one of their primary targets this summer. Tottenham Hotspur were reluctant to let their star go, though, and managed to hold on.
Kane has previously stated that he wants to get his hands on silverware. Regarded as one of the best strikers in the world, the England international has won the Premier League Golden Boot thrice. But he has not managed to win any trophy with his club. It will be interesting to see what the 28-year-old does next summer.
#2 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund) | £135 million
One reason Manchester City might drop their interest in Harry Kane now is that Erling Haaland will most likely be available next summer.
Haaland is a sensational young footballer. Already a complete striker, the 21-year-old is a terrifying mixture of speed, power and technical ability. One of the best finishers in the game, Haaland has made 67 appearances in all competitions for Borussia Dortmund. He has scored an astounding 68 goals and provided 19 assists for the club.
Haaland's father, Alf-Inge, represented Manchester City as a footballer. The Norway international is seven years younger than Kane, and has been linked with all the big clubs in world football. Right now, it looks likely that he could join a Premier League club next summer.
#1 Kylian Mbappe (PSG) | £144 million
Right now, there is a better chance of Haaland remaining in Germany next summer than Kylian Mbappe staying put in France.
Mbappe has long been identified as a Real Madrid superstar in the making. The 22-year-old was linked with the Spanish giants in 2017, but he decided to join Paris Saint-Germain from AS Monaco. This summer, Los Blancos heavily pursued the forward, and Mbappe was keen to move to Spain as well.
A move failed to happen, though. Kylian Mbappe's current contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires next summer, and he looks certain to move to Madrid then. The France international has made 182 appearances in all competitions for Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 136 goals and providing 66 assists.
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