The 10 midfielders with the highest price tag in world football

Martin Macdonald

Updated: 6 May 2022 10:26 BST
4 min read

Jack Grealish, Man City, 2021-22 — © ProShots

Jack Grealish is the most highly-valued midfielder in world football, but what other defensive, central and attacking midfielders feature in the top 10?

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FootballTransfers' transfer valuations are calculated in collaboration with SciSports, a world-leading football analytics agency that assesses the relative transfer valuations of over 60,000 professional footballers worldwide.

SciSports use multiple data points including current and potential ability, contract length, form, age, and other crucial factors.

Our algorithm includes players who could be viewed as midfielders such as Neymar, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jadon Sancho, however, as they are truly recognised as forwards, or defenders in Alexander-Arnold's case, they will be excluded from our list.

The midfielder with the highest price tag in world football is Manchester City star Jack Grealish, who is valued at €80.6 million. His team-mate Phil Foden previously held this title, but he's since been converted to an attacker in our algorithm thanks to his time spent in the front three at Man City.

Despite an underwhelming start to life at Man City, in terms of output, Grealish, who signed from Aston Villa in a British record move last summer tops our list. Not only has he recently moved for big money, but his contract doesn't expire until 2027, which has played a part.

Chelsea's homegrown hero Mason Mount is second on the list after an excellent 2021/22 season. He has improved his output tenfold and is now one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League. Mount is valued at €78.1m.

Another Englishman is third in Borussia Dortmund's midfield general Jude Bellingham. He has shone to prominence in Germany and has helped drag BVB to a place inside the Bundesliga top four at times. The former Birmingham City youngster has a valuation of €77.4m, just behind Mount.

Next up sees a return to Man City with Bernardo Silva at €75.7m. Aged 27, with three years left on his deal, the Portugal star is in his prime and is on course for over 20 goal contributions this season.

Coming in at fifth on the list is Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich, who has completed the transition from world-class right-back to world-class central midfielder with ease over the past few years. He is currently valued at €71.6m.

Manchester United superstar Bruno Fernandes is currently sixth in our valuations. The Portuguese has been a revelation since his move to Old Trafford, quickly becoming arguably their most important attacking player to earn a valuation of €71.5m.

The midfielder with the seventh highest price tag is Chelsea's Champions League and Club World Cup winner Kai Havertz, who is perhaps lucky to still count as a midfielder. He has regularly featured as a false nine for Thomas Tuchel's side, but his natural position is slightly deeper as an attacking midfielder, and he is valued at €71.4m.

Liverpool's conductor in the middle of the park is next, with Fabinho also holding a valuation of €71.4m. He's now one of the best defensive midfielders in world football and is a key reason for Liverpool's recent success.

Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong is ninth at €71.1m. With Sergio Busquets getting on in terms of his age, De Jong represents the future of the Blaugrana's midfield and it would take a hell of an offer for Barca to consider selling him despite recent rumours.

Rounding off the top 10 is Real Madrid destroyer Casemiro with a valuation of €70.7m.