who holds the title of the world’s most expensive football player?
Erling Haaland is known as the most lethal striker in football today. Mohamed Salah is widely considered the top winger, while Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne are regarded as the best defensive and attacking midfielders in the game. But when it comes to transfer fees.
Neymar’s Historic Transfer
In 2017, Neymar’s move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) made headlines globally as the most expensive football transfer ever. Neymar, a player often in the spotlight for his skills and controversies, transferred for a staggering £198 million. This deal shocked the football world and sparked a wave of inflated transfer fees, impacting not just top players but also average professionals. The Premier League, especially, saw an increase in prices as clubs demanded more money for their players.
The “English Tax,” which refers to the inflated fees for English talent, also became more common, with clubs like Chelsea known for spending heavily. Chelsea set new records by overspending on unproven players, raising questions about the real value of these players.
ALSO READ: In 2024, Erling Haaland is ranked as the most valuable football player in the world. Transfermarkt, a reliable source for player valuations, based these rankings on factors like age, form, and contract status. Here’s a look at the top 12 most valuable players: While Erling Haaland’s value makes him the most expensive player, others like Phil Foden, Rodri, and Jude Bellingham also feature prominently. These values represent the potential of young talents, with factors like contract length and form affecting their rankings. READ MORE: 
Rank Player Club Position Value 1 Erling Haaland Manchester City Striker £168m 2 Vinícius Júnior Real Madrid Left Wing £151m 3 Jude Bellingham Real Madrid Central Midfield/Right Wing £151m 4 Phil Foden Manchester City Winger/Striker/No.10 £126m =5 Florian Wirtz Bayer Leverkusen Attacking/Left Midfield £109m =5 Rodri Manchester City Holding/Central Midfield £109m 7 Federico Valverde Real Madrid Central/Left Midfield £101m 8 William Saliba Arsenal Right Centre-Back £67m 9 Rúben Dias Manchester City Left Centre-Back £67m 10 Joško Gvardiol Manchester City Left Fullback £63m 11 Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool Right Fullback £59m 12 Diogo Costa Porto Goalkeeper £38m
