11 most expensive midfielders in Premier League as Saka worth double Odegaard
When it comes to talent, nobody comes close to the Premier League.
Top-flight clubs have an embarrassment of riches at their disposal and have genuine quality all over the pitch. And while it might be the forwards who steal the headlines, midfielders are perhaps the most invaluable asset to clubs in the modern game.
Courtesy of The Football Observatory, it's possible to find the answer to said question. When ranking players' value, they take a wide range of factors into account: age, contract length, form and so on. Here, Mirror Football gives you the rundown on the top-flight's best midfielders...
11. Moises Caicedo - Chelsea (€80million/£68.9m)
Fresh from his transfer to Chelsea for a British record fee, Caicedo unsurprisingly makes the upper echelon of the list. After signing a long-term contract, the Ecuador international's value is protected for years to come.
Caicedo established himself as one of the finest midfielders in the Premier League during his time at Brighton and should continue to enhance his reputation at Stamford Bridge.
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10. Bruno Fernandes - Man Utd (€80million/£68.9m)
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is one of the Premier League's most productive midfielders (Getty Images)Fernandes has consistently proven himself to be one of the top-flight's most influential and productive attacking midfielders since joining Manchester United in 2020.
The Portugal international's importance to United was underlined in the summer when he was handed the captaincy by Erik ten Hag. He has continued to lead by example with his performances, despite the club's torrid start to the season.
9. Declan Rice - Arsenal (€80million/£68.9m)
Rice is another name on this list who completed a blockbuster transfer in the summer, with Arsenal forking out over £100m to bring him across the capital from West Ham.
Much like Caicedo, Rice ranks highly due to the new long-term contract he signed in the summer, but his imperious form for West Ham over the past couple of years is another reason that the England star makes the cut.
8. Dominik Szoboszlai - Liverpool (€80million/£68.9m)
Szoboszlai has only played a handful of games for Liverpool, but the Hungary international has already made a major impression at Anfield.
The 22-year-old arrives on Merseyside off the back of a stunning season for RB Leipzig, where he chalked up 10 goals and 13 assists across 46 appearances. Similar feats are expected by the Reds, who are still getting to grips with their new-look engine room.
7. Alexis Mac Allister - Liverpool (€80million/£68.9m)
Alexis Mac Allister has started all five of Liverpool's Premier League matches this season (Marc Atkins/Getty Images)Joining Szoboszlai at Anfield this summer was Mac Allister, who was prised away from Brighton just months after playing a pivotal role in Argentina's World Cup triumph.
As a proven Premier League entity, it's no surprise to see Mac Allister in a prominent spot on this list. The midfield maestro has started all five of Liverpool's league games so far this term and there should still be plenty more to come once he settles in at his new club.
6. Kai Havertz - Arsenal (€80million/£68.9m)
Havertz is yet another player who swapped clubs this summer. The Germany international has endured a difficult start to life at Arsenal, but he's still ranked amongst the most valuable midfielders in the league.
At just 24 years of age, Havertz already has a wealth of experience under his belt. Whilst he failed to set the division alight amid Chelsea's struggles last term, he has a knack for scoring important goals and bagged the clincher in the Londoners' Champions League triumph back in 2021.
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Havertz's age, long contract and the fact he's an established top-flight player may ensure he ranks highly on this list, but he could rise even higher once he finally finds his feet in north London.
5. Enzo Fernandez - Chelsea (€100million/£86.2m)
Enzo Fernandez completed a blockbuster transfer to Chelsea earlier in the year (PA Images Contributor/Press Association Images)Prior to Chelsea's capture of Caicedo this summer, Fernandez had shattered the British transfer record upon completing his switch from Benfica earlier this year.
Much like Mac Allister, Fernandez caught the eye in the Argentina team that won the World Cup last December and was destined for a blockbuster move to one of Europe's elite leagues.
Fernandez is still finding his feet in the Premier League, but he has shown glimpses of why he was one of the most sought-after midfielders in the world last year.
4. Martin Odegaard - Arsenal (€100million/£86.2m)
Odegaard was destined for greatness after making a name for himself at the tender age of 15 with Real Sociedad, and he's finally living up to expectations at Arsenal.
The Norway international has flourished at the Emirates under Mikel Arteta, banishing memories of an underwhelming stint at Real Madrid.
After leading Arsenal's title charge last year, Odegaard will be bidding to take things to another level this season to inspire the Gunners to go one better.
3. Rodri - Man City (€100million/£86.2m)
Rodri has quietly evolved into one of Manchester City's big-game players (OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)Rodri has quietly established himself as, arguably, one of the most important cogs in the inevitable juggernaut that is Manchester City.
The Spaniard is also valued in excess of £86m and has already underlined why so far this season. Usually tasked with sitting deep, Rodri has chalked up three goals and one assist in six games. He finished last season in style too, netting the decisive goal in City's maiden Champions League triumph.
Under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City can do wonderful things; half of them wouldn't be possible without Rodri, though.
2. Phil Foden - Man City (€150million/£129.3m)
To the surprise of absolutely nobody, another Manchester City asset features prominently on the list in the form of Foden.
At just 23 years of age and homegrown, Foden is almost in a league of his own when it comes to these rankings. Fittingly, his influence on the Premier League champions could grow even more over the coming weeks with Kevin de Bruyne sidelined.
Foden was introduced to the senior ranks patiently and meticulously by Guardiola - now he is one of the most valuable players in both the Premier League and Europe.
1. Bukayo Saka - Arsenal (€200million/£173.1m)
Bukayo Saka has been ranked as the most valuable midfielder in the Premier League (AFP via Getty Images)Saka's evolution over the past couple of years has been nothing short of extraordinary, so it's fitting he bags the top spot on this list.
The Arsenal forward was invaluable for both club and country last season and was rewarded with a bumper new contract earlier in the year; a big factor in the whopping £173.1m valuation that has been generated by The Football Observatory.
His age (22) is a huge reason behind his value being double that of Odegaard, whose own figure should rise if talks over a reported new contract come to fruition.
But the scariest thing (unless you're an Arsenal fan) of all about Saka? His value is only likely to increase as he continues to develop...
All rankings and valuations are courtesy of The Football Observatory.
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