As the financial impact of COVID-19 wanes, many clubs have made savvy deals in the summer 2021 transfer window. While loan is still the club's preferred trading model, there have been some notable transfers this summer.
Both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo moved to the club, albeit for different reasons. Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford and Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain after Barcelona failed to renew his contract. Manchester City and Chelsea also signed Glaliche and Lukaku for more than €100 million respectively this summer, and most of the top six clubs in the Premier League have also made major changes to their squads.
In other leagues, Atletico Madrid won the 2021 Copa America winner DePaul. Bayern Munich brought in Upamecano and Sabitzer from Bundesliga rivals Leipzig. Real Madrid signed exciting young midfielder Camarengga after failing to sign main target Kylian Mbappe. Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have also made a large number of high-profile free transfers.
At this point, let's take a look at the 10 most expensive teams at the club at the moment.
10 Barcelona – 696 million euros
Barcelona have been on the news regularly this summer for only one reason – the departure of their legendary player Lionel Messi.
Due to La Liga's financial fairness rules, Barca were unable to offer a new contract to their team's core Messi, whose salary is the highest of any club. However, Barcelona acquired Depay (worth €45 million), Aguero (worth €18 million) and Eric Garcia (worth €20 million) on a free transfer basis. Depay made a good start at Camp Nou, scoring two goals in three games.
Despite Messi's departure, Barcelona's squad is promising. They are led by the most expensive players De Jong (€90 million) and Pedri (€80 million). Goalkeeper Schellsteggen and La Masia academy Fati will return to the field, both worth €60 million. Meanwhile, Barca's two most expensive losers, Dembele (€50 million) and Coutinho (€30 million), are also the most valuable players on the squad's list.
9. Tottenham Hotspur – 697 million euros
Tottenham Hotspur's team is worth nearly €700 million and is currently the ninth most expensive team in club football.
The 2021-22 Premier League leaders may have spent €67 million to sign Brian Gill, Royal and Pape Sal. But arguably their biggest "victory" this summer was keeping their prolific goalscorer, Harry Kane, who was worth 120 million euros. Although he has not yet scored this season, his partner Son Heung-min has been in good shape. The €85 million South Korean player scored two winning goals for the team, one of which was against Manchester City.
Other key players for Tottenham include injured Ndombele (€50 million), Hoybuyog (€40m) and loan-back Romero (€35m). Their captain, Lloris, may be worth only 9 million euros, but in this team, his seniority is arguably the oldest.
8. Atletico Madrid – €755.2 million
Atletico Madrid haven't made much of a change to their squad this summer, with Frenchman Griezmann having returned to the Wanda Metropolitano and De Paul also returning from Serie A, which could make the defending champions a La Liga champion again because they have a combination of youth and experience, quality and depth in every aspect of the squad.
Oblak (€70 million) is arguably the best goalkeeper in La Liga and in europe as a whole. Jimenez (€80 million) and Savage (€30 million) form an experienced defensive duo, with Atletico also having experienced players such as Marcos Llorente (€80m), Cork (€60m), Carrasco (€40m) and DePaul. Atletico's front line, the 21-year-old Felix (€80 million) can complement Suarez (€15m) and the returning Griezmann (€80m).
7. Real Madrid – 783.5 million euros
Real Madrid lost their manager Zinedine Zidane this summer, and after the Frenchman left, real Madrid's two defensive main players, Ramos and Varane, also left the club this summer. The club signed David Alaba on a free transfer, but the defender is unlikely to play a role in the middle.
Real Madrid did bring in exciting Camaranga to strengthen their aging midfield, and despite a sky-high contract, they failed to get Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Kylian Mbappe.
There is no doubt that Real Madrid have a wealth of experience, starting with their most valuable player, Casemiro (€70 million), the defensive midfielder is considered one of the best players in the world in his position, as are their goalkeepers Thiba thiba (€60 million) and Alaba (€55 million).
At the same time, junior Kamawinga is worth 55 million euros, and the 23-year-old midfielder Valverde is worth 65 million euros. Left-back Ferran Mendy is the fifth Madrid player to be worth at least €50 million. However, the valuation of players like Bale (€18 million), Carvajal (€30 million) and Isco (€18m) has declined.
6. Bayern Munich – 852.4 million euros
Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are currently one of the most well-rounded teams out there, with the defending Bundesliga champions having strength in all areas of the pitch.
Bayern Munich bid farewell to David Alaba, Boateng and Javi Martinez this summer. But the club's backstage soon acquired Leipzig's Upamecano and Sabice.
Kimic (€90 million) is a model of all-around players and the most valuable player in bayern's squad. They were followed by Goretzka, Gnabry and young left-back Alfonso Davis. All three players are valued at €70 million. France's World Cup-winning winger Koeman (€65 million) is worth more than striker Lewandowski (€60 million).
Meanwhile, winger Sane and new signing Upame cannot each be worth €60 million. Two other French World Cup winners, Lucas Hernandez (€42 million) and Benjamin Pavard (€35 million), are Bayern's key players. Veteran Thomas Mueller (€30 million) and captain Neuer (€18m) are still priceless despite declining value.
5. Liverpool – €879.5 million
Liverpool are currently one of the five most valuable teams in the Premier League, with the 2019-20 Premier League champion team earning surprisingly little this summer. Liverpool only brought in Conat, who was worth 35 million euros.
However, it is undeniable that Klopp's personnel are of high quality and ability. Salah (€100 million) is currently one of the best wingers and the Reds' most valuable player. His attacking teammate Mane (€90 million) is the second most valuable player after him. But this cannot be said of Firmino, one of the tridents, whose value (€50 million) has fallen in recent years.
Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold (€70 million) and Robertson (€60m) make up one of the most lethal full-back combinations in modern football. Goalkeeper Allesen (€60 million), midfield defender Fabinho (€60m) and centre-back Van Dijk (€55m) are another key cog for Liverpool.
Young striker Jota (€40 million), midfielder Thiago (€30m) and captain Jordan Henderson (€20m) are also key players in Klopp's team.
4. Chelsea – €881.5 million
Defending champions Chelsea are currently one of the most valuable teams in club football and although they have not splurgeed as much as they did last season, the Blues have indeed brought in prolific Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku (worth €100 million) and they have also loaned Atletico Madrid's Saul (€40 million).
Chelsea's attacking fours Lukaku, Havertz (€75 million), Mount (€70m) and Werner (€65m) are their most valuable players. While Werner experienced a frustrating first season in 2020-21, the appearance of Mount and Havertz exhilarated the team.
Kante (€55 million) is considered one of the best defensive midfielders in football at the moment, with Key Players Kovacic, left-back Chillwell and this year's European Most Valuable Player Jorginho (worth €40 million) Tuchel. The excellent Mendy (€25 million) proved his worth after joining the club last season and is expected to remain the first choice.
3. Manchester United – €937.3 million
United have assembled an impressive squad under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Red Devils spent €85 million to sign Dortmund winger Sancho (worth €100 million), who is currently United's most valuable player. United also brought in Real Madrid centre-back Varane (€40 million). But the icing on the cake is the return of Ronaldo after 12 years (45 million euros).
Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes (€90 million) is one of United's most valuable players. He has scored a number of goals since he came here last January and injured winger Marcus Rashford (€85 million) has also been a key player for the club for years. Meanwhile, the Red Devils have rejuvenated Pogba (€60 million) and captain Maguire (€55 million) on their ranks.
Young players Greenwood (€50 million), Luxho (€42 million), Wan Bissaka (€40 million) and Scott McTominay (€35 million) are also valuable players. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson (€22 million) appears to have become the club's new first choice, ahead of David De Gea (€18m).
2. Paris Saint-Germain – 998 million euros
Paris Saint-Germain have one of the greatest transfer windows in recent history, signing a large number of inspiring players this summer.
For the first time, the Ligue 1 giants have acquired Liverpool midfielder Wijnaldum and Real Madrid legend Ramos on a free transfer. Subsequently, without paying anything, they brought in Barcelona legend Messi and Euro 2020 champions Italian goalkeeper Donnarumma.
The arrival of Messi (80 million euros) means that Paris Saint-Germain now has a terrible offensive big three, in addition to Mbappe (160 million euros) and Neymar (100 million euros). Unsurprisingly, the three of them are also the most valuable players for Paris Saint-Germain. Captains Marquinhos (€75 million), Donnarumma (€65m) and Hakimi (€60m) are all key players on Paris Saint-Germain's expensive player list. Italian midfielder Verati (€55 million) is a key player for club and national teams and has been playing for Paris Saint-Germain for more than 10 years.
Di Maria (€20 million), centre-back Kimpembe (€40m) and Icardi (€40m) are the other key players on Paris Saint-Germain's list.
1. Manchester City – €1.04 billion
Manchester City are the only club with a cumulative player value of €1 billion. Although City need a centre-forward, they can only bring in midfielder Glalis (€65.5 million) this summer for €117.5 million. Still, Guardiola appears to have covered most of their positions and City look like they've been tough to beat.
Midfield metronome De Bruyne (€100 million) is City's most valuable player. Winger Sterling (€90 million) and midfielder Foden (€80m) are also key players who have made great strides under Guardiola. Ruben Díaz (€75 million) is arguably the best centre-back in the current game. It was followed by midfielders Bernardo Silva and Rodri, both valued at €70 million. Striker Gabriel (€60 million) and full-back Cancelo (€55m) are also key players in the team.
Goalkeeper Ederson (€50 million) and 21-year-old Torres (€45m) are also very valuable. Laporte (€45 million) may no longer be Guard-back of Choice for Guardiola, but midfielders Mahrez (€42 million), Gundogan (€40m) and centre-back Stones (€30m) are City's key talent.