Per CIES Football Observatory, Senegalese forward Nicholas Jackson is the most Valuable African footballer now valued at €105.4M. The 23-year-old Chelsea forward is becoming one of the best goals scorers in the top European leagues. The former Villareal’s forward’s value has skyrocketed since his move from Villareal in the summer of 2023.
Pape Matar Sarr of Tottenham Hotspur is valued at €70.7M. The 22-year-old is a cog in Tottenham’s midfield and has exceeded expectations since moving from Senegalese club Generation Foot to French side Metz before securing a move to London club Tottenham.
The third most valuable African Footballer is Ghana and West Ham United’s forward Mohammed Kudus. Dubbed “Star Boy”, Kudus is unquestionably one of the best playmakers in European football. He is a player who had a successful take-on in Europe. Since moving from Ajax Amsterdam in 2023 summer in a deal worth around €42 million, Mo Kudus has dazzled, Kudus has scored beautiful goals, and Kudus has made West Ham fans fall in love with him. The talented Right to Dream Academy Graduate value will keep on shooting up abruptly.
Nigeria’s striker Victor Boniface is the fourth most valuable African Footballer currently per CIES Observatory. The 24-year-old Real Saphire academy graduate is Xabi Alonso’s first-choice striker. Valued at €65.3M, the Super Eagles striker is enjoying life in the German Bundesliga and has the potential to make a big money move to one of the Grade A clubs in Europe.
5th on the list is Moroccan forward Brahim Diaz who plays for Spanish giants Real Madrid. The former Manchester City and AC Milan star is valued at €63.6M by CIES. The Spanish-born has been a huge hit since switching nationality to represent the Atlas Lions of Morocco. He remains an important member of Carlo Ancelotti’s team.
Summary!
Most valuable African players by estimated transfer value, as per CIES Football.
- Nicolas Jackson (Senegal) – €105.4M
- Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal) – €70.7M
- Mohammed Kudus (Ghana) – €66.2M
- Victor Okoh Boniface (Nigeria) – €65.3M
- Brahim Diaz (Morocco)- €63.6M
What are the criteria for player valuation?
Per CIES Observatory, players are valued according to their;
The player must be at a young age, the player’s contract duration determines value, and the player’s performances, career progression and international status play key roles in his value.
Club’s sporting and economic level
The sporting and Economic levels of a club determine a player’s value. When teams are winning, players’ value shoots up, club’s finances shoot up also.
Inflation
Inflation also determines how a player is valued. Prices of players increase every transfer window so the better the player’s performance, the higher his value increases.
