10 footballers who are worth far more than their value in the transfer market

The January transfer window is open, and managers across the top leagues will be searching high and low for valuable additions to bolster their squads. Unfortunately, value for money is hard to source at this time of year, especially as competition for any suitable player is usually fierce. The power is undoubtedly with the selling clubs, particularly as the transfer window approaches its end.Nevertheless, it is still possible to grab a January bargain. Here are 10 players that are worth far more than TransferMarkt currently values them at and could be fantastic options for any club wanting a mid-season boost.

#1 Odion Ighalo - Watford: 2.8m

Ighalo could win the 2015/16 EPL Golden Boot

Newcomers Watford have lit up the Premier League this term thanks largely to their desire to adopt an attacking formation with two players in attack. While club hero Troy Deeney has certainly played his part, it is his strike partner that has dazzled fans with an incredible 14 goals and counting.

The 26-year-old Nigerian enjoyed a decent time in the Championship but has really proved his worth since making the step up this season. With his best years still ahead of him, he has to be considered worth far more than £2.8m.

Watford would probably hold out for a little more money. Nevertheless, in this day and age, the goals of Ighalo this term are befitting of a player worth 10 times that value. He might not be the biggest commercial option on the market, but he has shown that he can do the hardest job in football – putting the ball in the net.

It’s unknown whether he could cut it at the elite level but, at his current value, his name must be on the radar of many potential suitors.

#2 Riccardo Montolivo - AC Milan: 4.4m

In today’s climate, it is hard to find experienced players for under £10m without resorting to those in the final year or two of their careers. However, at a budget £4.4m, the current AC Milan skipper could be a huge coup for any giants wishing to test the Serie A side’s patience.

The Italian giants are still a long way short of returning to the glory days, but they are finally moving in the right direction under Sinisa Mihajlovic. Their 30-year-old skipper has been a major driving force behind this resurgence. However, silverware is still unlikely at the San Siro, and the Italy midfielder may wish to move elsewhere in a bid to start filling his cabinet.

Montolivo has been regarded as one of Europe’s better midfielders for the best part of a decade and boasts 60 caps for the Azzurri. However, with no club honours to his name, it would be hard for him to resist the possibility of a move.

With Arsene Wenger in desperate need of experienced midfielders ahead of their Premier League title push, the Gunners could do far worse.

#3 Anwar El Ghazi - Ajax: 4.7m

Dutch football has a rich history of producing top quality youngsters, and Ajax is right at the heart of those sentiments. Right now, Anwar El Ghazi is the most exciting prospect currently on the conveyor belt, and it is only a matter of time before he leaves for a bigger league. If potential suitors act quickly, they could find themselves landing a huge bargain.

Despite being only 20, he already boasts close to 20 league goals since breaking into the Ajax team last season. This tally includes eight in 13 Eredivisie appearances this campaign. A recent poor run in front of goal hasn’t stopped his overall performance levels, and this confidence could be key when he does eventually make the move abroad.

The potential is certainly there. At £4.7 million, many clubs must be tempted by the prospect. Don’t be surprised to see a transfer followed by a quick loan back to Amsterdam until the summer.

#4 Reece Oxford - West Ham United: 550K

West Ham’s latest prodigy burst onto the scene on the opening day of 2015/16 with a sterling performance against Arsenal. Since then, Slaven Bilic has restricted the England youth star to minimal playing time, in part due to injury, but there is no doubt that the rising talent has a huge future ahead.

In fairness, compensation payments would be far greater than the £550K valuation. Nevertheless, the potential figures being touted for a potential move across London to Arsenal could still prove to be a bargain.

Whilst it is important not to get carried away, Oxford could quite feasibly become a mainstay of the England senior team over the coming years. With a good 15 to 20 years ahead of him, anything under £15m could be a snip – especially when you look at the fees paid for other young Englishmen in recent years.

#5 Oleg Shatov - Zenit: 7.3m

Russian football isn’t always heralded for producing players capable of success in the big leagues, but Zenit St. Petersburg are a very decent outfit and Shatov has shown his ability in the Champions League too. While he is probably not a £30m+ player, anyone that has seen the Russia international on a regular basis would suggest he is worth double what the market values him at.

With 20 international caps to his name as well as experience on the European stage, there is nothing to suggest Shatov couldn’t work as a marquee signing for a mid-table outfit in England, Germany or Spain. At 25, now would be the time for the former Anzhi star to take that leap of faith.

Is Shatov world-class? No. But he is certainly better than a lot of other players that go for between £10m to £15m.

#6 Damien Da Silva - Caen: 1.4m

French side Caen are enjoying an incredible season in Ligue 1 and have entered 2016 with genuine aspirations of qualifying for next season’s European competition. Damien Da Silva has been at the heart of those triumphs, and at £1.4m could be the perfect addition for any side outside of the illustrious giants.

Da Silva is currently the division’s joint best central defender in Ligue 1 according to WhoScored statistics. He is partnered by PSG’s Thiago Silva, who is worth over 10 times as much in spite of being four years older.

At 27, though, Da Silva should now be reaching his peak years. Whilst French football might not be at its strongest point, the indications suggest that he could settle into one of Europe’s tougher leagues – at least with a mid-table side.

#7 Oguzhan Ozyakup - Besiktas: 4.7m

Right now, most of the spotlight in Turkey is on Besiktas star Gokhan Tore, who has been reportedly linked with a potential reunion with former boss Slaven Bilic as West Ham. In truth, though, anyone that watches the Super Lig on a regular basis will know that Tore has largely been outshone by former Arsenal youngster Oguzhan Ozyakup this season.

Ozyakup, who is also a 23-year-old, has both scored and assisted five goals from central midfield. He has been the Turkish club’s most consistent performer and offers fantastic value at under £5m. If he doesn’t move in January, a strong Euro 2016 with Turkey could see his stock rise rapidly.

As it stands, the Besiktas star could be a gem in a very tough market. However, clubs might need to act quickly before that value disappears.

#8 Bas Dost - Wolfsburg: 5.55m

Goals win you football matches, and Wolfsburg’s Bas Dost has shown an eagle eye in front of goal for quite some time. While the Bundesliga outfit are certainly one of European football’s more attractive sides, it is surprising that a bigger club hasn’t tried to tempt him away from the VW Arena.

Dost has scored 23 Bundesliga goals since the start of last season, and always looks comfortable in front of goal. Those qualities would make him a fantastic addition at many of Europe’s elite clubs. His goals alone make him worth far more than the £5.5m price tag. Even for double the price, the Dutchman would more than likely prove his weight in goals.

Moreover, at 26, he is just heading into the best years of his career. He has to be worth £10m at least.

#9 Riyad Mahrez - Leicester City: 8m

Leicester City have been the shock package of the EPL this season and, while Jamie Vardy’s incredible scoring form stole the headlines early on, attacking star Riyad Mahrez has been the main source of inspiration.

The right-sided attacking midfielder was discovered by pure fluke as Leicester originally sent scouts to watch another player at Le Havre. However, his two years at the King Power Stadium have been nothing short of sensational, making him one of the best signings of recent times.

At £8m, a potential sale would still see huge profits on a budget buy. At 24, the Algerian could have an incredible career ahead and it seems that his long-term future is away from Leicester. But if the Foxes do cash in, they would feel a little short changed for anything under £20m.

#10 Alexandre Pato - Corinthians: 8m

It seems like a lifetime ago since Alexandre Pato burst onto the scene of European football and was being heralded as the future king of Brazilian football. After falling into the abyss due to injury, he is now back to scoring goals and is reportedly garnering interest from Europe once more. Quite frankly, despite those past injuries, his genuine value has to be in excess of £15m in today’s climate.

At 26, the former wonder kid still has time on his side and could yet live up to his expectations. To do so, however, he would need a move pretty sharpish and the January transfer window could offer that second bite at the cherry.

Goalscorers are like gold dust. Even if he scored 10 goals a season, he would be worth far more than his current market value suggests.