KYLIAN MBAPPE’S MOVE to Paris Saint-Germain has been named the worst-value deal of the transfer window, while Mohamed Salah’s switch to Liverpool is the best bargain.
The CIES Football Observatory has released analysis on the deals conducted in the last window, which found PSG got the worst value of transfers in Europe’s top-five leagues in landing Mbappe from Monaco in an initial loan that they will make permanent for €180 million.
Their algorithm, which “scientifically estimates fair transfer values” rated Mbappe, 18, to be worth €92.6m, meaning PSG will overpay by €87.4m in the deal, once add-ons have been taken into account.
Liverpool, meanwhile, landed the best bargain, according to the Observatory, with Salah bought from Roma for a cool €50m despite being valued at €69.4m.
Other teams guilty of overpaying were Barcelona and Manchester City. The analysis showed Ousmane Dembele, whose total cost could reach €147m, was added for a fee that was €51.2m higher than a fair value of €95.8m.
City, meanwhile, splashed out €57.5m on Benjamin Mendy, who was listed as a €28.5m talent.
Pep Guardiola’s side were also on the wrong end of another deal. Of the sides to land the best bargains after Liverpool’s move to add Salah, Sevilla’s signing of Nolito from City for €10m — when he had been valued at €27.4m — came in second.
Chelsea’s €39m move for Antonio Rudiger, who was rated as a €54.2m player, was third-most shrewd addition.
The CIES Football Observatory said: “As usual, a negative gap was measured between amounts paid and values estimated.
“On average, the former were 30% lower than the latter. It is the biggest difference observed since the implementation of the transfer value algorithm. This finding reflects an acceleration of the inflation occurring in the transfer market.”
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Delighted for Carty!
Correct choice in James Ryan. 22years of age and any team in the world would have him starting. So important to us for the future. Congratulations to him.
@David: except saracens who would start itoje and kruis over James all day. Not saying James isn’t top notch but just sometimes the paddies can get carried away. E.g krus and itoje and alun W.J are all ahead of James atm. But he has time on his side!
@Kevin O’brien: you make no argument for what you say so it’s hard to disprove but there’s little evidence to suggest that on form you’re right
@Kevin O’brien: sweet Jesus. I guess this is based on a certain set of games where the first two named locks were victorious?. It’s easy to view all of the above as “ahead” of Ryan when you’re surrounded by massive men who punch holes for, and with you. Imagine what Ryan would have been like against those teams if he had a back row of Saracens and England’s ballast and quality supporting him. At 22 Ryan has a huge level of expectation upon him. AWJ is a legend and has a great all round game, but Itoje and Kruis don’t have Ryan’s skill (although I’d like to see more of it), They’re all great players and any one of them would be a great partner for Ryan on a Lions tour.
@Kevin O’brien: except Saracens didn’t even start Itoje at lock against Leinster.
@Kevin O’brien: nah. I stand by what I say. But hey have a knock you are entitled to your opinion too. All great players.
@Kevin O’brien: no they’d move one of them to 6. James Ryan would be an allblack if he was from there.
Best player in the country by far
Goat of the year
@JMG: Greatest of all time of the year? Or you think he is an actual farm animal?
Nice triggsy
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: finally a decent player from micheals