On Wednesday, the CIES Football Observatory published its bi-annual list of the 100 players with the highest transfer values in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
The list is calculated on an econometric model by the CIES Football Observatory research team from the analysis of over 1,500 paid transfers since 2010.
The criteria used includes both the performance and personal characteristics of a player, such as their age, position and contract duration, as well as the standing of their club and or international team based on their competition level and results.
No surprise to see Barca forward Messi atop the list with the CIES Football Observatory valuing him at £185m.
The 28-year-old’s contract at the Nou Camp expires in 2018 and the diminutive genius played a key role for Luis Enrique’s men as they won five titles in 2015.
Messi’s club team-mate Neymar is second with a value of £113m with the 24-year-old’s contract set to expire in 2018 too.
Despite disappointing the last six months, Chelsea playmaker Hazard is third with a transfer value of £96m ahead of four-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo who is worth £84m according to the CIES Football Observatory.
The first surprise comes at No.5 as Spurs striker Harry Kane is slotted with a value of £67 million after enjoying a brilliant 2015 with Tottenham and England. The 22-year-old scored 29 goals for Spurs in all competitions during that calendar year as they finished fifth in the Premier League last season.
Rounding up the top 10 are Raheem Sterling, Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez, Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanchez.
The one name I expected to see in the top 10 was Juventus star Paul Pogba, but he is only ranked 12th with a vale of £57 million. I don’t think that Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola will be using the CIES valuation in his presentation when he tries to sell his client for £100m next summer.
Also, there is no place on the list for Angel di Maria, who PSG spent £44m on last summer to sign him from Manchester United. Is he not worth £36m eight months later?
La Liga dominates the top 10 with 5 players, and overall the Premier League leads with 12 players, followed by 11 from La Liga, 4 from Serie A, 2 from the Bundesliga and 1 from Ligue 1.
THE 30 MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS ACROSS EUROPE’S TOP FIVE LEAGUES
1. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – £185million
2. Neymar (Barcelona) – £113m
3. Eden Hazard (Chelsea) – £96m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – £84m
5. Harry Kane (Tottenham) – £67m
6. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) – £66m
7. Antonine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) – £65m
8. Luis Suarez (Barcelona) – £64m
9. Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) – £60m
10. Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) – £60m
11. Anthony Martial (Manchester United) – £58m
12. Paul Pogba (Juventus) – £57m
13=. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) – £54m
13=. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) – £54m
15. Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich) – £52m
16. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern) – £51m
17. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) – £51m
18. Romelu Lukaku (Everton) – £50m
19. Diego Costa (Chelsea) – £48m
20. Paulo Dybala (Juventus) – £46m
21. Isco (Real Madrid) – £46m
22. Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea) – £44m
23. Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli) – £43m
24. James Rodriguez (Real Madrid) – £43m
25. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid) – £41m
26. Marco Verratti (PSG) – £38m
27. Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) – £38m
28. Sergio Busquets (Barcelona) – £37m
29. Mauro Icardi (Inter) – £37m
30. Koke (Atletico Madrid) – £36m
What ranking most surprises you? Who is missing?
