90min
·1 August 2024
90min
·1 August 2024
2024 has seen a number of young players seemingly come from out of nowhere to become some of the best footballers in the world.
And, as you'd expect, said players' transfer values have sky-rocketed as a result.
Here's the 10 players whose transfer values have increased the most in 2024:
*estimated values from Transfermarkt
Highly-rated / Alex Grimm/GettyImages
Current value: €30mIncrease: +€2mAlthough the 2023/24 season was basically a complete and utter disaster for Bayern Munich, the emergence of Aleksandar Pavlovic was a positive at least. The midfielder became a useful player for the Bavarians in 2023/24, making 19 Bundesliga apperances and earning his maiden senior cap for Germany too. Nice one.
Now a regular for Barcelona / Fran Santiago/GettyImages
Current value: €30mIncrease: +€28.5mHands up if you knew who Pau Cubarsi was prior to 2024? Unless you're an avid follower of Barcelona B, chances are you're lying by putting your hand up. As evidence by the huge increase in his transfer value, the defender has emerged from relative obscurity in 2024 to become one of the first names on the Barca teamsheet and a senior international for Spain. And he's done all of this 17 years of age. That's pretty damn good if you ask us.
Starred at Euro 2024 / Alex Grimm/GettyImages
Current value: €45mIncrease: +€30mAfter thoroughly struggling for fitness in 2023 and game time for much of 2024, a three month period between May and July proved to be very kind to Guler's transfer value. And rightfully so. The attacking midfielder was sublime at both club and international level, netting four in three games at the end of the La Liga season for Madrid and bagging three goal contributions to inspire Turkiye to a Euro 2024 quarter-final berth.
Bundesliga champion / Mika Volkmann/GettyImages
Current value: €130mIncrease: +€30mIf there's one way to summarise just how good Florian Wirtz was in 2023/24 it's this: He inspired Bayer Leverkusen to their first ever Bundesliga title. That's something that Michael Ballack couldn't do. That's something that Dimitar Berbatov couldn't do. That's something that Toni Kroos couldn't do. €130m is a pretty fair valuation of a player like that in our books.
Ballon d'Or favourite? / Lars Baron/GettyImages
Current value: €180mIncrease: +€30mThe most valuable player on this list is Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian superstar was utterly sublime in 2023/24, scoring a number of vital goals in Real Madrid's successful quest to win both the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League - even netting in the final of the latter. He's the Ballon d'Or favourite for a very, very good reason.
New Arsenal man / Claudio Villa/GettyImages
Current value: €45mIncrease: +€32mAccording to Transfermarkt, Arsenal overspent on Riccardo Calafiori by €4m.We're doubt they're too bothered though, as they've bagged themselves quite a player in Calafiori. The defender was the breakout star of the season in Serie A, and caught the eye at Euro 2024 (not just because he's a beautiful man).
Breakout year / Lars Baron/GettyImages
Current value: €80mIncrease: +€35mIn the last 12 months, Cole Palmer has gone from warming the bench at Man City to winning Young Player of the Year and scoring a goal in the Euro 2024 final.So yes, as expected, his transfer value has skyrocketed.
FWA Footballer of the Year / Alex Pantling/GettyImages
Current value: €150mIncrease: +€40mAmazingly, Phil Foden's previous transfer value was infinite and has actually been able to rise as a result of a standout campaign with Manchester City. The attacking midfielder was the best player in the Premier League last season, bagging a whopping 27 goal contributions in 35 games.
Brilliant 2024 for Mainoo / ANP/GettyImages
Current value: €55mIncrease: +€49mA €49m increase, and we're honestly surprised it's not more. Kobbie Mainoo came from nowhere in 2024 to become the most exciting young player in the Premier League and a regular for England - starting all of his nation's knockout round games at Euro 2024. The sky's the limit for the talented midfielder.
Young superstar / Richard Pelham/GettyImages
Current value: €120mIncrease: +€60mOf course Lamine Yamal is at the top of list. He was arguably the best player at Euro 2024, he's the most exciting young player in world football, and the best player to come out of La Masia since literal Lionel Messi. Oh and he's just turned 17 years old.It's ridiculous. He's ridiculous.