Chinese Super League money is threatening European top leagues in a manner that if not checked could cripple the beautiful football we watch every weekend. Premier League, Serie A and Ligue 1 players are leading the way in the exodus.
However, top Leagues in Europe continue to attract the very best in the game. Clubs continue to spend huge sums of money to land big names. Last summer, Manchester United broke the World record when they paid €100 million for French star Paul Pogba from Juventus. Real Madrid and Barcelona have done that before to try and keep the very best in their ranks.
Today, we take a closer look at how clubs in Europe rank when it comes to the value of their squads;
10. Juventus- €312m
Serie A giants Juventus will certainly not miss this list. They spent almost all the money from Pogba deal to sign striker Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli. They continue to dominate the Italian League and with this kind of acquisition they will remain on top for more years to come.
9. Bayern Munich- €322m
Bundesliga has been criticized for lack of competition for giants Bayern Munich in the last couple of years. They have won the League for the last five seasons and there is no sign that will stop. They have perfected the art of silencing opponents by buying best players from their challengers. Their squad therefore remains one of the most expensive in Europe but domestically nobody comes close
8. Barcelona- €401m
It is rather surprising that Barcelona squad ranks this poor especially given the kind of success they have seen in the last couple of years. They have won almost every trophy in the Europe and they continue to do so. They are almost half the size the value of their bitter rivals Real Madrid.
7. Liverpool – €412m
Premier League giants of the last Century Liverpool has been spending big in the last couple of years to try and win their first ever league in over 30 years but that doesn’t seem to be working. This season they are doing pretty well under new boss Jurgen Klopp.
4. Manchester City – €535m
Like PSG, Manchester City was literally irrelevant to successful neighbours Manchester United in 2008. They however somehow managed to attract the Sheikhs from Middle East and the rest is history. They are now almost on level terms with cross town rivals. They have won the League, FA Cup and League Cup but they are still chasing the trophy with big ears. Famous boss Pep Guardiola might deliver Champions League in the next couple of years.
3. Chelsea- €537m
Roman Abramovich acquired Chelsea in 2004 and immediately decided to buy the very best in Europe. He brought in Jose Mourinho and we all saw how success follows money. Unlike Manchester City and PSG, they have all trophies available in England and Europe. In 2012 they won the famous Champions League and Europa League in the following year. This year, their expensively assembled squad is leading the Premier League race and they have every chance to lift it.
6. Arsenal- €428m
Arsene Wenger has managed London giants Arsenal for the last 20 years and many fans who followed the club back in 1996 will tell you how great he has been to them. The Gunners boast one of the best squads in Europe but Uefa Champions League continues to evade them. The last time they won the League was in 2004.
5. Paris Saint-Germain- €437m
French giants Paris Saint-Germain were literally unknown a couple of years ago but since the arrival of rich owners from Middle East with bags of petro-dollars the club has risen to the very top of European football. They are simply unchallengeable in Ligue 1 but they continue to come short in Europe.
2. Manchester United- €613m
Manchester United is one of the few clubs remaining in World football that can boast of massive resources and wealthy that is not brought in by rich owners. The Club can literally buy any players and still remain in perfect financial health. They splashed €100 million to sign Paul Pogba last summer and they will comfortably do so any time if need be.
1. Real Madrid- €721m
Real Madrid is the most successful club in the World in so many ways and today their squad value says it all. They have spent huge amounts of money over the years to sign the biggest names in football World and they can do so anytime. Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez are just some examples of players the club has bought in the last decade for more than €80 million.
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