We’re not talking best players, but rather the Premier League players who would reap the biggest transfer fees. It’s been two years since we did this and it is fascinating (we think) to see the differences. Thanks to transfermarkt for the guidance.
ARSENAL: Bukayo Saka
The name at the top hasn’t shifted in two years but the rest of Arsenal’s top five has entirely changed throughout this Mikel Arteta process, with Saka now being trailed by Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang long out of the building, Nicolas Pepe with one foot out of the door and Thomas Partey rather less important than he seemed in 2021.
ASTON VILLA: Douglas Luiz
With Jack Grealish long gone, Luiz – somehow still only 25 – is Villa’s prized asset. There was persistent talk of a move to Arsenal last summer but the Brazilian stayed and is thriving under Unai Emery (he walked away with all the gongs at the Player of the Year awards), recently saying: “I believe in the Aston Villa project, so I decided to stay. It is very exciting to be a part of this new era. Why wouldn’t I stay? Everything is going well.”
BOURNEMOUTH: Hamed Traore
Not valuable for anything he has done at Bournemouth – seven games, no goals, no assists – but valuable just because he has recently joined for £21m. With Jefferson Lerma leaving on a free transfer and Philip Billing having only one year remaining on his contract, the Ivory Coast man feels like the answer to this question (that nobody is asking) by default.
BRENTFORD: Ivan Toney
Still Brentford’s biggest asset despite not actually being able to play football for the remainder of 2023. Bryan Mbeumo and David Raya trail him, with Manchester United and Tottenham seemingly agreeing that the latter is not worth the £40m asking price.
BRIGHTON: Moises Caicedo
Two years ago Ben White was sold. A year ago Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella were sold. Now Alexis Mac Allister has gone and Caicedo just about remains, though both Arsenal and Chelsea reportedly have other ideas. Next year Karou Mitoma we presume.
BURNLEY: Josh Brownhill
One of the few survivors of the Sean Dyche era who was key to the new Burnley’s promotion from the Championship, Brownhill claimed seven goals and eight assists in their promotion campaign. Once the Clarets have converted some of their loans into permanent transfers, Brownhill should relinquish this spot.
CHELSEA: Enzo Fernandez
If you break the British transfer record, you really have f***ed it if he is not your most valuable asset a few short months later.
CRYSTAL PALACE: Marc Guehi
Finally not Wilfried Zaha for the first time in recent memory. They never cashed in but they could absolutely take the money for England centre-half Guehi if Tottenham offer enough.
EVERTON: Amadou Onana
One of the few inspired moments from Everton over the two disastrous seasons was the signing of the Belgian midfielder for just £33m. It is already thought that the Toffees want to pretty much double their money on the 21-year-old.
FULHAM: Joao Palhinha
There was a time when anybody other than Aleksandar Mitrović would be massively controversial but Palhinha has been nothing short of excellent since arriving that summer from Sporting. They could already double their money on the bargain signing.
LIVERPOOL: Luis Diaz
Really? We imagine the player who would actually cost the most to prise away from Liverpool would be Trent Alexander-Arnold but the algorithm has calculated a hefty drop over the last two years. Diaz has age and a long contract on his side to keep him ahead of Mo Salah here.
LUTON TOWN: Carlton Morris
That’s what 20 Championship goals can do.
MANCHESTER CITY: Erling Haaland
A ridiculous season has seen his value soar further. What a bargain.
MANCHESTER UNITED: Marcus Rashford
Even with just a year remaining on his contract, Rashford is the don after a 30-goal season. Bruno Fernandes drops into second place, while Antony and Jadon Sancho still struggle to justify their sizeable price tags.
NEWCASTLE UNITED: Bruno Guimaraes
So, so much has changed. Allan-Saint Maximin has dropped from first to sixth in two ridiculous years, with Guimaraes undoubtedly the Toon’s biggest asset. Not that he is for sale at any price at all.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Morgan Gibbs-White and Brennan Johnson
Transfermarkt cannot split them and neither can we – both were absolutely key to Forest’s oft-slim chances of survival.
SHEFFIELD UNITED: Sander Berge and Anel Ahmedhodzic
Transfermarkt cannot split them and neither can we – both are absolutely key to the Blades’ pretty slim chances of survival.
TOTTENHAM: Harry Kane
One year left on his contract and he is still worth a f*** of a lot more than anybody else at Spurs. That is a problem.
WEST HAM: Declan Rice
He’s leaving. West Ham want a British record fee. We’re not convinced they should get it. Lucas Paqueta and Conference hero Jarrod Bowen complete the podium.
WOLVES: Matheus Nunes
Not a brilliant debut season from Nunes but he has done enough to retain his value while Ruben Neves drops with his contract length.
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