Top 10 players whose market value has increased the most since January 2016

Footballers these days are transferred for insane amounts of money. Just a couple of years back, talks of £100 million bids would certainly raise quite a few eyebrows, today, a £100 million bid for a talented player has become more norm than an exception.

There have been some amazing talents who have announced themselves and had breakthrough seasons in the last one-and-a-half years. While Paul Pogba became the world’s most expensive transfer only last year, the record seems almost certain to be broken this year.

With players like Mbappe and Dybala on the market, any value is possible. Without much ado, let us take a look at the top 10 players whose market value has increased the most since January 2016:

#10 Harry Kane (Jan 2016: €40 million, Now: €65 million)

Increase in value: €25 million

Winner of the Premier League golden boot award for 2 seasons running, Harry Kane has shown to doubters and critics all over the world that he is far more than a one season wonder. The best English striker at the moment, Kane announced himself to the footballing world in the 2015-16 season, where he seemed to score goals for fun.

Already valued at 40 million in January 2016, the 23-year-old has seen his stock rise by close to 25 million euros after his stunning performances this season. Manchester United and Real Madrid have been credited with an interest in the Tottenham front man, but Mauricio Pochettino will definitely be keen to ensure that he keeps hold of his prized asset.

Quality strikers are hard to come by in the present era and should Kane continue to perform at this high level, his market value is only expected to soar in the coming years.

#9 Antoine Griezmann (Jan 2016: €55 million, Now: €82 million)

Increase in value: €27 million

One of the best players in world football at the moment, Antoine Griezmann has really taken his game to new levels since January 2016. The Frenchman had a stellar last season where he was one of the favourites for the Ballon d’Or award.

The forward’s market value rose significantly after his excellent performances with the France national team in Euro 2016. Unlucky to lose out in both the Euro and Champions League final to Cristiano Ronaldo, the 26-year-old’s market value nevertheless soared to an astonishing 82 million euros.

Manchester United were favourites to secure his signing, but the transfer ban for Atletico Madrid means that Griezmann’s potential suitors must at least wait for 6 months before they harbour any hopes of signing the tricky French forward.

#8 N’golo Kante (Jan 2016: €25 million, Now: €53 million)

Increase in value: €28 million

Chelsea star N’Golo Kante has taken his game to new heights under Antonio Conte this season. The Chelsea midfield enforcer won the PFA Player of the Year award and while Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez stole all the headlines in Leicester City’s fairytale Premier League triumph last season, Kante was arguably the Foxes’ most important player.

After signing for Chelsea for a reported fee of £32 million, Kante has cemented his reputation as one of the best central defensive midfielders in the world. Only the second player (after Eric Cantona) to win Premier League titles with two different clubs, the Frenchman’s all actions tyle of play coupled with his boundless energy and dynamism has made him one of Conte’s favourite players.

Still only 26, Kante will be hoping to play a bigger role for his national team and win some major honours with his county in the coming tournaments. Kante quite simply put has been the best summer signing of the 2016-17 Premier League season.

#7 Renato Sanches (Jan 2016: €10 million, Now: €40 million)

Increase in value: €30 million

Having broken into the Benfica team in November 2015, Sanches quickly grabbed eyeballs with his amazing displays in the centre of the park. Breaking into the Portuguese national team by January at the age of 18, Sanches saw his market value rise to 10 million at the start of 2016.

The dreadlocked teenager really announced himself on the big stage when he put in some match winning performances for Portugal in Euro 2016 even scoring one of the goals of the tournament against Poland.

After making a big money move to Bayern Munich, the talented youngster has had a hard time breaking into the first team. With a move away from Bayern Munich already being mooted, we might well see the Portuguese star rediscover some of his swagger and confidence this season.

#6 Saul Niguez (Jan 2016: €25 million, Now: €58 million)

Increase in Value: €33 million

One of Atletico Madrid’s gems, 22-year-old Spaniard Saul Niguez has gone from strength to strength since Jan 2016, cementing his place as one of the best young midfielders in Spain at the moment. A versatile player, Saul is capable of turning a game on its head with moments of brilliance and he is one of Simeone’s most trusted men.

Blessed with silky feet, great technical skills and most importantly a never-say-die attitude, Saul has attracted attention from some top clubs across Europe with Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United and even La Liga rivals Barcelona interested in securing his signature.

With the 22-year-old more than happy to play at Atletico Madrid at the moment, only a monumental bid well above his market valuation might get the Rojiblancos thinking about his sale.

#5 Andrea Belotti (Jan 2016: €20 million, Now: €58 million)

Increase in value: €38 million

The most improved striker in world football at the moment, Andrea Belotti has become one of the biggest names associated with a move this transfer window. An impressive finisher and blessed with an imposing physique, Belotti has been one of the standout talents in the Serie A this season.

Linked with a big-money move to the Premier League, the Torino man has seen his market value skyrocket after his impressive tally of 28 goals this season. A perfect team player, Belotti’s hard work and discipline have earned him many admirers including legendary manager Arrigo Sacchi who said:

"He's an example because God didn't bless him with huge talent, but with greater values like generosity, enthusiasm and passion."

Still only 23 and already Italy’s main man, Belotti might just be plundering goals in the Premier League next season.

#4 Paulo Dybala (Jan 2016: €45 million, Now: €85 million)

Increase in value: €40 million

One of the favourites to break the 100 million barrier mark, Dybala has been earmarked by many to be a future Ballon d’Or winner and he is also considered a natural heir to Messi’s throne in the Argentina national team.

Still only 23 and already one of the best (if not the best) players in Serie A, the Argentine forward has been linked with a blockbuster move to plenty of top clubs across Europe including Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

While Dybala arrived with much fanfare to Juventus in the 2015/16 season, he has really shown what he is truly capable of this season. There have been moments of sparkling brilliance where the Juventus man dragged his team across the finish line almost singlehandedly.

His performance against Barcelona in the Champions League still gives the Catalan giants the jitters and it will be interesting to see whether Juventus manage to hold on to their star man this season.

#3 Dele Alli (Jan 2016: €35 million, Now: €77 million)

Increase in value: €42 million

“We got Alli, Dele Alli, I just don’t think you understand, he cost us 5 mil, he is better than Ozil, We got Dele Alli"

Tottenham fans love belting this song out and when a player whom you bought for just 5 million is now one of the highest valued players in the world, you know that he has had a meteoric rise in market value.

The English midfielder had given us a glimpse of his immense talent by January 2016, but this season, he really showed that he belonged to the bracket of best midfielders in world football at the moment.

Playing further up forward than usual, the English international formed a potent attacking threat with Harry Kane and was at the forefront of Tottenham’s impressive 2016/17 Premier League campaign. The best U-23 midfielder in world football at the moment, Tottenham will have a tough time keeping hold of their prized asset in the summer transfer window.

#2 Ousmane Dembele (Jan 2016: €5 million, Now: €55 million)

Increase in value: €50 million

In January 2016, Ousmane Dembele had played a handful of games for Ligue 1 strugglers Rennes and people were starting to take notice of him. Fast forward to 2017 and Dembele is now one of the hottest young prospects in world football.

Just turned 20, Dembele has had a meteoric rise in his career. After impressing with his pace, trickery and sublime first touch on the wings for Rennes, the France youngster was linked with a host of top clubs across Europe including Barcelona.

However, Dembele wisely chose to join Dortmund and the tricky teenager has arguably been BVB’s most effective player this season. His impressive performances have seen his market value skyrocket and this has sparked off rumours about Barcelona being interested in him again this season.

Already an integral part of the French national team, Dembele is poised to take over the world in the coming seasons.

#1 Kylian Mbappe (Jan 2016: €3 million, Now: €75 million)

Increase in value: €72 million

The name on everybody’s lips at the moment, Monaco superstar Kylian Mbappe is destined to achieve great things in this sport. In January 2016, Mbappe was yet to pen his first professional contract having played only once for the senior side.

Now, the French forward is a subject of £100 million bids from various top clubs across Europe including Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester United and PSG. Blessed with electric pace, stunning dribbling ability and an uncanny knack to find the goal, 18-year-old Mbappe has already shown his ability at the top level by his brilliant performances for Monaco in the Champions League.

Already a member of the senior France national team, Mbappe like his countryman Dembele has a very bright future ahead of him. If the Monaco man remains grounded and keeps performing at a similar level, he might well win multiple trophies and Ballon d’Ors in the coming years.