Ranking the most valuable African footballers in the world | OneFootball

Victor Osimhen is heading towards a record-breaking move with Paris Saint-Germain advancing in negotiations to sign the Napoli forward.

Osimhen’s exit is expected to bank Napoli a fee over £100m which would make the Nigerian the most expensive African footballer of all time.

The 25-year-old was named African Footballer of the Year in 2023 and stands as one of the continent’s biggest names right now. But which African footballers have the highest market value? Using valuation data from transfermarkt.co.uk we’ve ranked the most valuable African footballers in the world right now.

5. Edmond Tapsoba – Bayer Leverkusen (€45m)

Edmond Tapsoba’s talents have caught the eye at Bayer Leverkusen with the centre-back impressing during the club’s historic unbeaten German double in 2023-24.

The 25-year-old has attracted interest from Premier League clubs in recent transfer windows due to his proactive style in possession. Tapsoba ranked in the top 10% of centre-backs across Europe’s top five leagues last season for progressive passes, progressive carries, attempted passes and successful take-ons per game.

At international level, he was named in the Team of the Tournament as Burkina Faso reached the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals in 2022.

4. Mohammed Kudus – West Ham (€50m)

West Ham signed Mohammed Kudus from Ajax last summer for a fee of £35m and the Ghanaian’s value has certainly increased since then.

Kudus had an excellent first season in English football as he scored 18 goals and provided seven assists in 48 appearances for the Hammers. A flexible forward who brings excitement in possession, no player across Europe’s top five leagues completed more successful take-ons than Kudus (124) last season.

West Ham inserted a release clause of around £85m in Kudus’ contract at the London Stadium, a significant sum but one top clubs could consider if his trajectory continues.

3. Mohamed Salah – Liverpool (€55m)

Mohamed Salah is arguably African football’s biggest name right now but ranks third for CAF’s most valuable players.

Salah has entered the final 12 months of his contract at Liverpool and there is uncertainty surrounding his future, as clubs from the Saudi Pro League continue to chase a deal. Salah’s numbers remain elite, however, with 25 goals and 14 assists for Liverpool last season.

He has now scored 211 goals across his seven seasons at Anfield, a return that would be near-impossible to replace. Only four players have ever scored more goals for the Reds.

2. Achraf Hakimi – Paris Saint-Germain (€60m)

Achraf Hakimi is valued at €60m (£51m), the second-highest valuation among African players.

The Moroccan signed for Paris Saint-Germain from Inter Milan for a fee that could rise to €71m in 2021 and has enhanced his reputation as one of football’s finest full-backs in France. He has won three consecutive Ligue 1 titles and was included in the Team of the Season in the last two campaigns.

His explosive pace and attacking output have been crucial to PSG’s recent success, while he starred as Morocco became the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals in 2022.

1. Victor Osimhen – Napoli (€100m)

Victor Osimhen is regarded as Africa’s most valuable footballer with an estimated worth of €100m (£84.2m).

Osimhen has scored prolifically since signing for Napoli from Lille, including a Capocannoniere-winning campaign as the Italians won a drought-breaking Serie A title in 2022-23.

The Nigerian earned the division’s Most Valuable Player award during that success and was recognised with the African Footballer of the Year award. He became the first Nigerian to claim the prize since Nwankwo Kanu in 1999.

He has scored 65 goals in 108 league games for Napoli, eclipsing George Weah as the highest-scoring African in Serie A history.

Read – Osimhen to break the record? Serie A’s most expensive sales

See more – Five big names to watch at the 2024 Olympics

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