The latest episode of Sky Sports' Between the Lines, which examines the data behind football's biggest stories, takes a look at the eight most valuable teams on the planet – and the Premier League leader may come as a surprise!
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In the latest edition of Between The Lines, expert Nick Wright examines the financial performance of world football's top clubs.
Which teams have the most expensive rosters?
The programme returns with an analysis of Transfermarkt's top eight, revealing the mechanisms behind the formation of their market value.
Can anyone compete with Real Madrid in player value? Is Arsenal really the Premier League leader? Find out in our article.
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How Transfermarkt ratings are formed
The platform calculates the value of players through a crowdsourcing approach: registered users and experts offer estimates that take into account performance, age, contract terms and market demand.
Transfermarkt's editorial team checks the offers and the resulting data becomes the accepted standard in the industry.
8th position: Manchester United, £766 million
Despite finishing in a historic 15th place last season, the Red Devils are eighth in the table with a total squad value of £766m.
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Summer signings Mbeumo, Cunha and Cesko took investment in attack to £352m – almost half the total.
The new arrivals showed potential against Arsenal but the team needs to strengthen elsewhere. Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville highlights the need for a new goalkeeper, with current options valued at just £29m.
The midfielders (£158m) are worth half as much as the attack, highlighting the imbalance in the squad.
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7th place: Liverpool, £907 million
The Premier League champions are seventh under Arne Slot. Florian Wirtz, bought for £116.5m, is valued at £121m but the age of key players reduces the overall value.
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Mohamed Salah, previously valued at £130.8m, is now worth £43m at 33. Van Dijk, Alisson and Robertson are also falling in value, prompting the club to renew their squad.
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6th position: Barcelona, £976 million
Lamine Jamal, 18, is the world's most expensive player (£173m), accounting for 18% of the team's value. Midfielder Pedri is valued at £121m.
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5th position: Chelsea, £1.01 billion
The club became the first 'billion-pound club' thanks to massive investment in young players. Since 2022, transfer spending has totalled £1.52bn – double that of its nearest rival.
Player sales helped offset expenses, continuing the strategy of increasing the value of the team.
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4th position: PSG, £1.03 billion
The club have been strengthened since Mbappe's departure, winning the Champions League. Ousmane Dembele (£77.7m) and young talent add value to the squad.
3rd position: Manchester City, £1.12 billion
Erling Haaland (£155m) is the team's most valuable player. New stars Reynders and Cherki have strengthened the attack, but ageing parts of the squad require an upgrade.
2nd position: Arsenal, £1.14 billion
Mikel Arteta's strategy has doubled the value of the squad in five years, with the youth academy, with Saka (£129.5m) and new talent accounting for 87% of the increase.
1st position: Real Madrid, £1.21 billion
The club own three of the five most expensive players: Bellingham and Mbappe (£155m), Vinicius Junior (£147m), while recent signings such as Alexander-Arnold (£64.6m) have bolstered their position.
Final rating
Previously on Between the Lines
Last week we compared Opta and Sky Sports' Premier League predictions – surprises guaranteed!
Sourse: skysports.com
