LaLiga market values: Vinicius Jr. joins elite club - Yamal just below €100m

Champions League winners Real Madrid are the headline news of the LaLiga market value update. Overall, Transfermarkt has updated the market values of 492 players, and Vinicius Junior has now joined his teammate Jude Bellingham (unchanged) at the very top of the ranking. 

The Brazilian winger is one of five Real Madrid players among the top 10 most valuable players with a market value increase. Thanks to the upgrades to Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga, Real Madrid now have six players with a market value of €100m or more, a list that will grow to seven once Kylian Mbappé joins the club.

Four players in the world share the highest market value in the world, and once Mbappé joins, three of them will play for Real Madrid. While Erling Haaland, Bellingham, and Mbappé have held that position for some time, Brazilian Vinicius Junior now joins the trio at the top. “Step-by-step, Vinicius has worked his way up to the world elite and now makes the difference during top games regularly,” Transfermarkt Spain Community Manager Tobias Blaseio said. “The fact that he is now a serious candidate to win the Ballon d'Or shows that he has made the final step towards becoming world-class. Whether it is his speed, technique, or finishing, in all key areas, he has seen improvement.”

Market Value Vinicius Junior Left Winger €180.00m

Complimenting the top three, at least until Mbappé arrives, is midfielder Federico Valverde. “With time, the appreciation of the hard-working Valverde has increased,” Blaseio said. “He is very physical and a big factor in the club's success. Valverde has often been mentioned as a potential captain, a prospect that isn't unrealistic. Every top team would like a player like him.” Valverde's market value increased by 20% to €120m. While his teammate Rodrygo (+€10m to €110m) was already a member of the €100m club, French stars Tchouaméni and Camavinga are new in that category. The two midfielders will be the future of Real Madrid, and both saw their market value increase by €10m to now €100m.

LaLiga market values: Güler doubles value – Yamal just below €100m

Also, the future of Real Madrid is young Turkish midfielder Arda Güler. A few believe that Güler could replace Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos (-€2m to €10m). “Towards the end of the season, Güler showed his potential after being almost written off because of several injuries,” Blaseio said. “If he doesn't manage his breakthrough in Madrid, then several top clubs will certainly be interested, and the willingness to pay big fees for players of his age category is significant. Madrid themselves paid €20m for Güler.” Indeed, Güler had a strong finish to the season, scoring six goals in 10 LaLiga games. Enough to convince the Spanish Transfermarkt team to double his market value from €15m to €30m.

If Güler is one symbol of the highly inflationary values of European top talents, then Lamine Yamal is another. The 16-year-old top talent was already the most valuable U17 player on the planet ahead of the update and has now further cemented his place at the top of the ranking (overview). “Yamal's pathway has been one of a kind,” Blaseio said. “There is a chance that he will be a starter for Spain at the European Championship, and under head coach, Xavi has demonstrated that he can withstand pressure. During difficult moments, Yamal was always capable of putting pressure on opponents and putting smiles on the faces of his own fans. Yamal also demonstrated that he can make a difference for Spain. Whether his development continues to skyrocket will depend on how he handles all this playing time and how he remains healthy. If that is the case, he will have a golden future.”

Away from the top clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona, Girona were the biggest story of LaLiga last season. The club owned by the City Group, finished third and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in club history. The player most responsible for the success was Brazilian winger Sávio. “Girona's surprise season produced a new star in LaLiga,” Blaseio said. “The Brazilian is playful, has a great technique, and is fast. A package that should make him interesting for Europe's top 10 clubs. Because he is pretty much under contract at Man City, the English champions have secured an excellent talent for the future. With the club in the Champions League, another year at Girona seems realistic.” Sávio managed 11 goals and ten assists in 41 games across all competitions, and his market value increased by 25% to now €50m.

LaLiga market values: Johnny Cardoso impresses at Real Betis

The 25% increase for Sávio is certainly impressive. But Sávio isn't the only player with Brazilian roots to have impressed this season. Indeed, among the biggest winners is Real Betis midfielder Johnny Cardoso. The 22-year-old US men's national team player was developed by Brazilian club Internacional before joining Real Betis for just €6m in January. A transfer that has been an incredible business for the LaLiga club. Cardoso impressed right away and has increased his market value by an incredible 150% to now €25m.

How Transfermarkt market values work

The Transfermarkt market values are calculated, taking into account various pricing models. A major factor is the Transfermarkt community, whose members discuss and evaluate player market values in detail. In general, the Transfermarkt market values are not to be equated with transfer fees.

The goal is not to predict a price but an expected value of a player in a free market. Both individual transfer modalities and situational conditions are relevant in determining market values. Examples of this are listed below. Transfermarkt does not use an algorithm (you can find the detailed market value definition here).