As Premier League teams struggle to comply with Profitability and Sustainability (PSR) regulations, Academy players have become even more important, especially those who have become a first-team mainstay. There is a large number of youth team talent in the Premier League's first team, and if the team sells its academy products, it can make a lot of "pure profits".
While some may argue that Enzo Fernandez or Moises Caicedo are Chelsea's most valuable assets due to their hefty transfer fees, this is not the case as their value depreciates over time, while Academy players don't cost the team anything, and the team can sell them for a decent transfer fee and keep them all in the bank.
Here are the most valuable assets of each Premier League team. For teams that don't have Academy players in the first team, the list includes players who don't buy much but sell for much more.
The most valuable asset of every Premier League team
Arsenal (Bukayo Saka)
As one of Arsenal's most important players, Bukayo Saka is highly likely to part ways with Arsenal. The England international is valued at £103million according to Transfermarkt's valuation, but judging by his current form and inflated transfer market, he could be worth more if Arsenal sell Saka. According to Transfermarkt's valuation, the Gunners could get the full £103 million as Bukayo Saka came through Arsenal's academy and meant Arsenal did not pay a transfer fee for the winger. His value will not depreciate in the same way as the players Arsenal have bought from other teams.
Aston Villa (Jacob Ramsay)
In August 2021, Aston Villa sold Jack Grealish to Manchester City for £100 million, which helped Villa comply with PSR rules. The three-year cycle to sell Jack Grealish is coming to an end and Villa will have to consider selling some players to continue to comply with the Premier League's financial rules. While the likes of Douglas Luiz and Ollie Watkins may be seen as Villa's most valuable asset, Jacob Ramsey has offered Villa the opportunity to make a 'pure profit' in the transfer window. If Aston Villa come close to breaching the PSR, the sale of Jacob Ramsay is all but inevitable.
Bournemouth (Dominic Solanke)
Dominic Solanke is not a Bournemouth academy player, but he is arguably Bournemouth's most valuable asset. Bournemouth value the striker at £50 million, having previously spent around £19 million plus add-ons from Liverpool, and the club could make a decent profit if they sell him above their valuations.
Brentford (Ivan Toney)
Like Dominic Solanke, Ivan Toney is not an academy product of the current team. However, Brentford signed the striker for a whopping £10 million and now that Ivan Toney's value has soared, Brentford are expected to make a significant profit on Toney. Brentford value the striker at £100 million, which would see the team make a profit of £90 million. Toney is expected to leave Brentford at the end of the 2023/24 season, while the team are bracing for some big offers.
Brighton (Evan Ferguson)
Brighton is a prime example of how a Premier League team can comply with financial regulations and remain competitive in the process. The team is known for sourcing young talents from all over the world, nurturing them and then selling them for a decent profit. Moises Caicedo, for example, joined Brighton in 2021 for just £4.5 million and sold it for £115million two years later. Brighton have the perfect setup to work under current financial constraints and can easily replace outgoing players. Evan Ferguson was able to offer the most value to the team, joining Brighton from the Irish side for the lowest undisclosed fee. Brighton currently values him at £120 million.
Burnley (James Trafford)
James Trafford moved to Burnley from Manchester City for an initial fee of £15 million, which rose to £19 million with various add-ons. It may seem like a big transfer fee for a promoted team, but it's seen as a good deal in the long run. The goalkeeper is only 21 years old and will continue to improve. Burnley are destined to return to the Championship immediately and there is no doubt that they will have to sell players in the summer transfer window. It remains to be seen whether Trafford will give way, but his value is arguably the highest in the Burnley squad.
Chelsea (Levi Colwill)
Despite the sale of Academy stars such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Mason Mount, Chelsea have spent more than £1 billion on transfers since Todd Boehly took charge in May 2022. This has left Chelsea struggling to find it difficult to reach out on the issue of PSR breaches, and the sale of more Academy products must be on the agenda in order to avoid further investigation by the Premier League. While Conor Gallagher has been the subject of transfer rumours and is perhaps more likely to be sold than Levi Colwill, the defender is worth more in the transfer market and considering that Levi Colwill is three years younger than Conor Gallagher, he is expected to be sold for a higher price.
Crystal Palace (Tyrick Mitchell)
While the likes of Eberaki Eze, Mark Guehi and Michael Olisse are worth more than Tyrick Mitchell in terms of transfer fees, the defender brings Crystal Palace a "pure profit". Unlike the other three players mentioned above, Tyrick Mitchell grew up at Crystal Palace and the team can put the entire transfer fee in the bank. The 24-year-old has made 133 appearances for the team, which further adds to his value. If Crystal Palace need to sell players, Mitchell is the most valuable from a "pure profit" perspective.
Everton (Jarrad Branswaite)
After loan spells at Blackburn Rovers and PSV Eindhoven, Jarrad Branthwaite has established himself in Everton's first team. The defender comes through the team's academy and is therefore worth far more than the rest of the squad. As well as Everton's financial problems, they are also likely to be relegated from the Premier League, so the sale of Jarrard Branswaite would give the squad a glimmer of life, with the Academy product expected to leave Everton for £100 million.
Fulham (João Palhinha)
Fulham don't have a noteworthy Academy player in the first team, meaning their most valuable asset is Joao Palhinha, who moved to Bayern Munich in 2023 for around £60 million for a fee, but it failed. Despite the disappointing failure of a move to the Bundesliga giants, the Portugal international has been a regular for Fulham in the 2023/24 season, with Fulham signing the midfielder for £20 million, so he offers Fulham a chance to make a decent profit.
Liverpool (Alexander-Arnold)
Liverpool have a large number of talented players and if Alexander-Arnold leaves Liverpool, he will bring the biggest "pure profit" to the team. In the current financial environment of world football, any team looking to buy the defender will need to pay a transfer fee of more than £100 million.
Luton Town (Elijah Adebayo)
In 2021, Luton Town signed Elijah Adebayor from Walsall for £250,000 and he has impressively performed in the Premier League, scoring nine goals. The striker is Luton's most valuable asset. Luton Town are battling relegation, but if they fail to relegate, Elijah Adebayor could well be sold, which would bring a decent profit to the team. In the current financial environment, Elijah Adebayo will be worth more than £10 million and the proceeds from the sale of Elijah Adebayo will help Luton rebuild if they are relegated.
Manchester City (Phil Foden)
In recent years, Manchester City have produced a number of outstanding young talents, such as the emergence of Rico Lewis. However, Phil Foden is City's most valuable asset. The winger has established himself in Pep Guardiola's side and is proving to be an important part of City's winning machine. Other teams will have to pay at least £100 million before City will consider letting Foden leave.
Manchester United (Marcus Rashford)
Having entered Manchester United at the age of 18, it's easy to forget that Rashford is still only 26 years old. The striker offers United the opportunity to make a "pure profit" from any potential sale. Manchester United had previously valued Rashford at £120 million and would be hoping for a similar price should they decide to go their separate ways.
Newcastle United (Sean Longstaff)
Before Eddie Howe took over, Sean Longstaff was close to leaving Newcastle United at one point. The midfielder is now an important part of the squad and has become a regular for the first team. There are other Academy players in the squad, such as Elliott Anderson and Paul Dummette, plus Lewis Miley, who has made his mark in 2023/24. Neither Elliott Anderson nor Lewis Miley have yet to fully establish themselves at the Magpies. And Dumaît is in the final stages of his career, which means that Sean Longstaff is the Magpies' most valuable asset in terms of "pure profits".
Nottingham Forest (Ryan Yates)
There have been many changes to the squad since Nottingham Forest's return to the Premier League, with Academy product Ryan Yates being one of the few mainstays in the squad. The midfielder's transfer market value is £10 million, but in the current environment of rising prices, Nottingham Forest are expected to get more if Ryan Yates goes his separate ways.
Sheffield United (William Osula)
Like Burnley, Sheffield United are destined to return to the Championship immediately. Relegation means the team has to balance the books and sell some higher-paying players, or some more mature academy players. This helps to build a squad that prepares for the long season of the second division of English football. If William Ossula is sold in the summer window, he will bring the best value for money to Sheffield United. The striker has a market value of £3 million on Transfermarkt, but the team expects more from William Ossula as he gains valuable Premier League experience in 2023/24.
Tottenham (Oliver Skipp)
Tottenham sold Academy product Harry Winks to Leicester City for £10 million in July 2023, helping to dispel PSR concerns. In terms of "pure profit", Oliver Skipp is the most valuable player in the team at the moment. The midfielder is expected to attract more money than Harry Winks, giving Tottenham more room to manoeuvre in the transfer market.
West Ham United (Ben Johnson)
West Ham United Academy has a history of talent, with Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Jermaine Defoe all among the Hammers. In the current first team, Ben Johnson is the most valuable player in terms of "pure profit". The defender has made over 100 appearances for the West Ham first team and while his market value on Transfermarkt is £7 million, given his age and experience, West Ham are expected to get more.
Wolves (Max Kilman)
Max Kilman is arguably one of the most valuable players in the Wolves squad. He is the captain of the team and has signed a long-term contract that expires in 2028, which only increases his value. There are plenty of teams that appreciate the defender and if Wolves decide it's in the best interest of the team to part ways with the captain, there will be no shortage of teams interested in him. Wolves rejected a £30million offer from Serie A side Napoli in July 2023, suggesting that the potential cost of Wolves considering a sale of Kilman is definitely more than £30million.