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#3 Leon Goretzka - €70m (Bayern Munich)
The contractual situation between Leon Goretzka and Bayern Munich seems to be resolving, but the German midfielder is yet to sign a long-term deal with the Bavarians. Goretzka was acquired by his current employers in 2018 on a free transfer after his contract with former club Schalke expired that summer.
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Ever since joining the 31-time Bundesliga champions, Goretzka has seen an exponential increase in his stock. Signed as a €40m-rated player, the German midfielder's market value has almost doubled in the past two seasons. Goretzka was handed a double-pivot role alongside Thiago by now-Germany boss Hansi Flick and thoroughly flourished in that position.
The 35-capped German international was an instrumental cog in Flick's side that romped to a 'sextuple' in 2020. With consistent top-notch performances on his resume, Goretzka has established himself as a mainstay in a rampant Bayern squad.
Nevertheless, prolonged contract negotiations have put the Bavarians at the risk of losing their star player in an identical fashion to how they acquired him: free of cost.
#2 Pedri - €80m (Barcelona)
Pedri played second-tier football as recently as 2020. Fast forward a year and the 18-year-old is arguably the best teenage footballer in the world and the frontrunner to win the Golden Boy award in 2021. Barcelona, amidst all their financial mismanagement, managed to stage one of the best bargains this century.
The Blaugrana paid €20m for the Spaniard's services, an amount which is currently equivalent to a quarter of his ever-growing market value. Exceptional at holding the ball, as well as creating chances out of nowhere, Pedri racked up more than 70 appearances for both club and country last season. A downright scary number for an 18-year-old.
The Spanish wonderkid was an ever-present for Barcelona as well as Spain's Euro squad, playing all but one available minute in the international competition. Not one to work and party hard, Pedri returned to the Catalans' training ground six days prior to his designated date. With such commitment to the club, his contract renewal might be a matter of 'when' rather than 'if'.
#1 Kylian Mbappe - €160m (Paris Saint-Germain)
Probably the most sought-after player in the footballing world as of now, Kylian Mbappe is gradually earning the reputation of a contract rebel in Paris. Signed on for a massive fee of €145m in 2018, Mbappe's move to PSG made him the most expensive teenager ever.
To say that the Frenchman has lived up to the billing would be an understatement. Mbappe has established himself as the main man at the Parc de Princes, even overshadowing Neymar at times with his brilliance. Due to his 'Galactico' status, the 22-year-old forward has been linked with a record move to Real Madrid, ever since his emergence. These rumors have picked up substantial heat over the past few days, with Mbappe constantly stalling on renewing his contract.
The French international has been a long-term admirer of Cristiano Ronaldo and his former team, Real Madrid. Mbappe's transfer to the Bernabeu seems to be becoming more and more imminent as time passes by.
However, the recent arrival of Lionel Messi could tilt the balance in PSG's favor. Whether Mbappe chooses to sign a contract extension with the Parisians or relocate to Madrid in a controversial move remains to be seen.
But if the move to Madrid goes through, it could alter the course of modern-day football.
Also read: 5 big clubs with cursed jersey numbers
