5 most valuable players currently out on loan

The January transfer window is coming to a close and top teams are looking to get their hands on some incredible talent from different parts of the world. Philippe Coutinho, Dusan Vlahovic, and Ferran Torres are just some of the names that have made headlines recently by switching clubs.

The transfer window is a club’s opportunity to grow and build a squad that can help it achieve their goals. In some cases, clubs have had to rely on a loan deal when a permanent deal isn’t feasible.

There have been several occasions on which a loan player has left a permanent impression on the fans’ hearts. Although they may not stay at the club for long, they play for the badge and prove their worth. Let’s now take a look at the five most valuable players across Europe who are currently out on loan.

#5 Manuel Locatelli - €35 Million

Juventus completed the loan signing of Manuel Locatelli from Sassuolo at the start of the 2021-22 season. The 23-year-old joined the club on a two-year loan deal and can sign permanently if the Bianconeri wish to extend his services.

Locatelli was very impressive in Euro 2020 and caught the attention of various clubs across Europe with a series of impressive displays for Italy. The defensive midfielder was on Arsenal's watchlist, but he snubbed the Gunners and eventually joined Juventus.

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The Italian quickly established himself as a midfield stalwart for the Bianconeri in the middle of the park and is valued at €35 million. He has been superb in midfield, putting in crucial challenges and creating chances for his teammates. Locatelli has three goals and two assists for Juventus this season.

#4 Cristian Romero - €35 Million

FC Pacos de Ferreira v Tottenham Hotspur - UEFA Conference League Play-Off Leg One

Cristian Romero was Tottenham Hotspur's featured signing of 2021’s summer transfer window. He signed for Spurs on loan from Atalanta, where he put in impressive defensive performances. Spurs can sign the 23-year-old permanently at the end of the season if desired.

Romero is currently valued at €35 million. The Argentine has featured in less than a third of Tottenham’s games so far, due to a hamstring injury. However, Antonio Conte is positive that the Argentine will return to the starting eleven quite soon, which is a positive for Spurs fans. Spurs will need him back to enhance their chances of a top-four finish in the Premier League.

The Italian defender is the complete package, his physicality is perfectly combined with technical skills. Romero was also awarded the Serie A’s best defender award last season for his outstanding season with Atalanta. Romero was also a standout at the Copa America and played a part in their successful campaign.

#3 Nuno Mendes - €40 Million

PSG's Nuno Mendes in action (Image courtesy: psgtalk.com)

Nuno Mendes completed his transfer to PSG at the start of this season on loan for €7 million from Sporting. He was part of a stellar transfer window for PSG which saw the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos and Gianluigi Donnarumma all join the Ligue 1 leaders.

Mendes is valued at €40 million, and PSG could make him a permanent member of their squad at the end of his loan spell in June 2022. The 19-year-old is a product of the Sporting academy and became the league champion with the club in his second season. He was also in the Portugal squad for Euro 2020.

Mendes is blessed with great pace and has a fierce attacking mindset. The Portuguese is comfortable on both sides of the pitch and has been a blessing for PSG. His enormous potential can lead to him becoming one of the best left-backs in world football.

#2 Antoine Griezmann - €50 Million

FC Porto v Atletico Madrid: Group B - UEFA Champions League

Antoine Griezmann joined Atletico on a loan deal from Barcelona at the start of the 2021-22 season. Blaugrana are in dire financial trouble and have had to resort to cutting down players’ wages. Griezmann’s transfer was also a way of reducing the monetary burden.

Griezmann left Atletico and joined Barcelona in 2019 in a deal worth €120 million. Despite the huge hype surrounding the transfer, Griezmann only showed glimpses of his quality at Barca. He sadly couldn’t replicate his brilliant Atletico Madrid form. The Frenchman’s return to Atletico made headlines all around the world.

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The 30-year-old has a market value of €50 million.

Griezmann has scored three goals and provided two assists in 16 La Liga appearances this season. The Frenchman has had injury issues of late and has been out for a considerable amount of time. The World Cup winner recently admitted in an interview that he wants to stay at Atletico Madrid and not return to Barcelona.

#1 Federico Chiesa - €70 Million

Federico Chiesa joined Juventus from Fiorentina himself back in October 2020 on a two-year loan deal. The deal can be made permanent subject to undisclosed conditions. The dexterous Italian is valued at a whopping €70 million.

Chiesa has two goals and three assists from 14 Serie A appearances this season. The 24-year-old has missed a considerable part otheis season due to injury. Although he made a brief reappearance in January, the problem persisted and he was sidelined once again.

Chiesa has undergone knee surgery and will reportedly be out of action for around seven months. The Italian was outstanding in the Euros and was also included in the competition’s Team of the Tournament. This injury will undoubtedly be a huge blow to both Juventus and Italy.

Edited by S Chowdhury