The Premier League, a global football spectacle, is a breeding ground for exceptional talent. Its fast-paced, physically demanding nature attracts the world’s finest players, each vying for supremacy. These players are not just footballing assets but cultural icons, their every move scrutinised by millions.
In this article, we take a look at the ten most valuable players playing in the most competitive league in the world. At the moment, this list is dominated by players from two giants in Manchester City and Arsenal, with six players valued at more than €100 million.
Note: In line with the figures from Transfermarkt.co.uk, we use the Euro (€) as the currency, and transfers that took place till September 2024 have been fact-checked with other sources.
#10 William Saliba | Arsenal FC
Market Value: €80 million
Arsenal’s 6’3” French defender has established himself in recent years as one of the best centre-backs in the world. The 23-year-old has been the cornerstone of the Gunners’ recent title charges, having made his debut for the club in the 2021/22 season.
Saliba is a modern-day centre-back with excellent reading of the game and impressive ball-playing ability, though it is his one-on-one ability and recovery runs that set him apart from most of his peers.
The France international has already drawn comparisons to Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. With arguably more than a decade’s worth of football left in him, Saliba will most certainly make his claim as the best centre-back in the world.
#9 Rúben Dias | Manchester City FC
Market Value: €80 million
Since making the switch from SL Benfica during the summer of 2020, Rúben Dias has been pivotal to Manchester City winning four consecutive Premier League titles as well as the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League. His key strengths as a defender include his exceptional positioning, strong aerial ability, excellent reading of the game, and physical presence. He is also known for his composure on the ball, ability to make crucial interceptions, and leadership qualities both on and off the pitch.
The 27-year-old Portugal international is on the verge of completing 200 professional appearances for the Cityzens. His leadership qualities from the back continue being essential in maintaining City’s dominance both domestically and across Europe.
#8 Bruno Guimarães | Newcastle United FC
Market Value: €85 million
Having been linked with a big-money move in recent seasons, the 27-year-old Brazilian is considered one of the most complete midfielders at the moment. A key player for both Newcastle United and the Brazil national team, Guimarães is comfortable playing both as a holding midfielder as well as a box-to-box operator.
A strong passer and dribbler, Guimarães is also a creative force with his strong through balls and ability to thread cutthroat passes, capable of seamlessly linking the attack and defence together with his ability to operate effectively in many midfield roles.
#7 Cole Palmer | Chelsea FC
Market Value: €90 million
This 22-year-old English attacking midfielder’s stock has climbed considerably since he made the switch to Chelsea as part of a £40m deal during the summer transfer window of the 2023/24 season.
A left-footed attacking player capable of playing out wide as part of a front-three or as a central attacking midfielder, Palmer possesses a notable ability to break the opposing back line with a pass, especially with deft through balls that bend inwards.
At Chelsea, Palmer has showcased his ability to create chances for runners on the opposite side, breaking down opposing blocks with relative ease. After struggling to cement his place in the Man City starting line-up, having made 41 appearances for the Cityzens across three seasons, the England international has already made 57 goal contributions in 62 appearances for the West Londoners.
#6 Martin Ødegaard | Arsenal FC
Market Value: €110 million
Looking back at the £30 million Arsenal paid to get hold of this Norway international, one can safely say it was one of the best transfer moves the club have pulled off since moving to the Emirates Stadium.
Regarded as a modern-day playmaker, Ødegaard is currently one of the best players in his position. Known for his technical ability, dribbling skills, and vision, he is one of the most progressive passers in the Premier League. Moreover, unlike other #10s playing in his position, the Gunners skipper is his side’s most-effective presser and the orchestrator of their forward press.
Since completing his permanent move to the Emirates at the start of the 2021/22 season, Ødegaard has made 150 appearances for the club, making 61 goal contributions on top of his leadership and defensive duties under Mikel Arteta.
Also read: LaLiga 2024/25 | 10 most valuable U19 players
#5 Declan Rice | Arsenal FC
Market Value: €120 million
After he had led West Ham United to their first-ever European title, a bidding war ensued between Man City and Arsenal for Declan Rice’s signature, which eventually resulted in the ex-Hammers skipper signing for Arsenal in a club-record deal worth £105 million.
Having spent the majority of his playing career as a holding defensive midfielder for West Ham, the 25-year-old England international has seen his role evolve under the guidance of Mikel Arteta. As someone who made his name with his hard tackling and impeccable reading of the game, an improved passing range and front-footed approach has seen Rice develop into one of the finest box-to-box midfielders in the Premier League.
#4 Rodri | Manchester City FC
Market Value: €130 million
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner is by far one of the best midfielders in the world. Rodri’s role with both the Spain national team and Man City has proven him to be an indispensable figure. His contributions were crucial to City’s triumph as they became of champions of both Europe and England in the 2022/23 season, while he also helped Spain secure their fourth European championship last season.
The 28-year-old stands out for his exceptional reading of the game, which allows him to anticipate situations and make informed decisions at all times. His ability to assess the environment before receiving the ball is particularly noteworthy, as is his knack for carrying out actions with precision by identifying the position of opponents, teammates, and open spaces.
In recent seasons, Rodri’s judgement on when and how to push up the pitch has become crucial, as he remains aware of the need to preserve balance on the field when abandoning his usual defensive position. His constant movement inside the box poses a threat to the opposing team, whether through his precise passes or by taking shots at goal. This was exemplified when he scored the decisive goal in the 2023 Champions League final to hand City their first European trophy.
#3 Bukayo Saka | Arsenal FC
Market Value: €140 million
There are some players who are just capable of emitting an unmatched sense of joy when they play football. England and Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is one of them.
The 23-year-old’s style of play is incredibly complex: while he possesses the pace to make runs in behind the defence, he isn’t one-dimensional and instead likes to mix things up. Saka has great dribbling skills and possesses the strength to hold off and then spin defenders even when facing his own goal. Not only that, he has the ability to use his right foot as well, making him incredibly hard to read. Versatility, intelligence, and work rate are also key for Saka as he can help cover defensive positions if required or pick up positions centrally and on either flank.
Since making his debut during the 2019/20 season, the Hale End product has made nearly 250 appearances for the club, making 129 goal contributions, including 14 goals and assists combined in 14 Champions League appearances.
#2 Phil Foden | Manchester City FC
Market Value: €150 million
Despite having a troubled 2024/25 season thus far, the 24-year-old English midfielder has seen his market value skyrocket in recent seasons, touching the €150m mark at the time of writing.
In his seven-and-a-half seasons with Manchester City, Foden has won an incredible six Premier League titles, one Champions League, and one Club World Cup alongside many domestic accolades. He possesses a wide range of technical skills that set him apart from his peers. His ball control and dribbling abilities are nothing short of mesmerising, allowing him to weave past defenders with ease, while his passing range and vision enable him to unlock defences and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Foden has also shown exceptional finishing capabilities, making him a potent goal-scoring threat from midfield.
Since making his debut during the 2017/18 campaign, the Man City academy product has made 287 appearances for the club, scoring 90 goals as well as providing 55 assists.
#1 Erling Haaland | Manchester City FC
Market Value: €200 million
The 24-year-old Norwegian has all the attributes of a complete centre-forward. He uses his tall frame to hold up play effectively and bring others into play. With his rapid pace and clever movement to run in behind, as well as his exceptional finishing abilities, Haaland is unquestionably one of the most potent forwards in world football currently.
Haaland’s finishing is his greatest strength, though he is capable of scoring from all over the pitch. The speed with which he shoots offers defenders little time to adjust, as he can generate jaw-dropping power on his shots with little backlift. He also rarely overplays inside the area. The combination of his conviction in front of goal and his technique makes him a truly exceptional goalscorer. His clever movement and lethal finishing make a deadly combination. He happily comes deep to collect the ball to help his team build up play, looking to spread the ball wide for a teammate before turning and sprinting towards goal.
Since making the switch to England, Haaland has put up numbers well beyond anyone else ever did in the league in same time period. He has scored an incredible 108 goals and provided 15 assists in just 120 appearances for the Sky Blues.
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