England’s top-flight division is arguably seen as the best league in the world; therefore, it’s no surprise to see so many gifted individuals make the switch to the Premier League to further develop their careers. There are many world-class stars who ply their trade in the country, including Rodri, Erling Haaland, and Gianluigi Donnarumma – and that’s just from City.
Unsurprisingly, the Manchester giants feature high up in Transfermarkt’s most valuable squads. Ahead of what is set to be a busy transfer window under Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid find themselves in the top five, while Aston Villa and Newcastle also make the list.
20
Juventus
Squad value – £431.9 million
Juventus have had a tumultuous few years, recovering from a 10-point deduction in 2023 because of the club’s transfer dealings. Despite interest from top teams in Europe for striker Dusan Vlahovic, the club managed to keep hold of the Serbian – for the time being at least.
While stars such as Federico Chiesa have left the club as they look to make as much money as possible on players whose contracts are set to expire soon, the arrivals of Teun Koopmeiners and Douglas Luiz have helped the former dominant force in Serie A build a squad worth just under half a billion pounds.
19
RB Leipzig
Squad value – £436.3 million
Red Bull Leipzig striker Lois Openda celebrates
Despite losing key players Dani Olmo and Mohamed Simakan to Barcelona and Al-Nassr a couple summers ago, the Bundesliga giants somehow find themselves just inside the top 20. Following those departures, RB Leipzig used the funds to sign the likes of Lutsharel Geertruida, Antonio Nusa and young prodigy Assan Ouedraogo. This has only added to their squad value, which is just short of the £440 million mark.
Add those names to the squad that already contained the likes of Peter Gulacsi, David Raum, and Christoph Baumgartner, it’s no surprise to see that the German side are one of just two clubs from the country that feature in the top 20 (no bonus points for guessing the other).
18
Aston Villa
Squad value – £459.6 million
Ollie Watkins scored against Liverpool
It was a season to remember for Unai Emery’s men as Aston Villa returned to the pantheon of European football thanks to their comfortable Europa League final win over Freiburg. Unai Emery continues to help the club punch above their weight and, although they operate under strict financial constraints, they still boast one of the most valuable squads in world football.
Now, the Villains have dropped back down ever so slightly to 18th, but their hopes of continuing to upset the apple cartle in England, and abroad, will surely see them bump their stock this summer.
17
Crystal Palace
Squad value – £477.7 million
After a shaky midpoint of the season as they came to terms with Marc Guehi leaving and Oliver Glasner announcing he wouldn’t be signing a new deal to remain their boss, Crystal Palace have certainly rediscovered their groove by winning the Europa Conference League upon the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign.
A major part of that is due to the role of Adam Wharton and Ismaila, who are, unsurprisingly, among the highest valued players in the squad after stepping up to the plate. As a result of their fantastic performances of late, the Eagles have soared into 17th spot.
16
Bournemouth
Squad value – £489 million
AFC Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi celebrates
Eli Kroupi Junior is among the most valuable teenagers in world football right now, alongside Bournemouth teammate Rayan. While them two are the crown jewels of a young and exciting Cherries squad, it is being heavily rumoured that they could join manager Andoni Iraola in heading towards the exit.
The south coast side have been a stepping stone club for many years now, and while their squad value has inflated since qualifying for the Europa League against all odds, bigger clubs are expected to raid them for their most prized assets.
15
Brighton & Hove Albion
Squad value – £489.8 million
The Seagulls entered a new regime fairly recently as Roberto de Zerbi was replaced by the youngest manager in Premier League history, Fabian Hurzeler. While many of the key figures at the club still remain, the new head coach has been well backed in the transfer market, leading to his side maintaining their status on this list.
The South Coast outfit used the money wisely during his tenure so far, signing the likes of Yankuba Minteh, Mats Wieffer and Georginio Rutter for a club-record fee. A lot of Brighton‘s current crop, including Jack Hinshelwood and Simon Adingra, are young stars who will no doubt be sold for a fortune to a bigger club in the future – given their potential. Their buy low sell high policy keeps the club ticking, and there are very few who do it better.
14
Atletico Madrid
Squad value – £498.4 million
It may come as a little bit of a shock to find Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid so low on this list, especially given that the Spanish giants boast a squad that regularly makes it deep in the Champions League. The deal to bring Julian Alvarez to the club was the largest since the one that saw Joao Felix come through the door, while there was also the arrivals of Ademola Lookman and Alex Baena for big money too.
For this to happen though, there had to be some major departures too. Had it not been for the departures of the aforementioned Felix and the likes of Alvaro Morata and Samu Omordion in recent windows, Los Colchoneros may have ranked even slightly higher.
13
Nottingham Forest
Squad value – £499.2 million
Premier League – Nottingham Forest v AFC Bournemouth – The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain – August 17, 2024 Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
Who had Nottingham Forest competing for a spot in the Champions League on their bingo card? Not since the days of Brian Clough had the Garibaldi come close to sniffing a place in Europe’s premier tournament, but overperforming stars such as Chris Wood and Matz Sels made that a distinct possibility just two seasons ago, before their owner saw red mist and sacked Nuno Espirito Santo over a disagreement.
They have cycled through managers like it earns them points since his departure, and that means a valuable squad has hardly had a moment’s peace before the tactics’ sheet is thrown in the air again.
12
Inter Milan
Squad value – £558.8 million
Last season was a success overall for Inter, with them completing a dominant Serie A season on top. The Scudetto would’ve made up for the disappointment fans suffered following the 2023 and 2025 Champions League final heartaches.
Despite losing some key names over the years, the Italian giants maintain a strong position of wealth. Their captain, Lautaro Martinez, is of particular importance as the World Cup winner continues to be considered among the very best in the business at scoring goals. As well as him, Inter have Marcus Thuram, Nicolo Barella, Alessandro Bastoni and Hakan Calhanoglu, who all contribute significantly to the club’s overall value.
11
Newcastle United
Squad value – £601.2 million
Despite finishing in the top four in 2023 and being continuously backed financially after a League Cup final win the year after, the Magpies haven’t continued on their upward trajectory since. Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes are the club’s most valuable players, but they have lost a lot of worth since Anthony Gordon’s move to Barcelona was confirmed.
Their value could continue to decrease over time too, with Newcastle having to sell in order to continue complying with financial fair play regulations. While they’re eager to keep hold of their talents beyond this summer, their hands may be forced in order to adhere to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability (PSR) rules, which has already seen them lose the likes of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh in recent times.
Joshua made his return to the ring this weekend, eight months after he was involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria which took the lives of two of his close friends Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele.
The 36-year-old was easily expected to overcome Prenga in their bout at the Jeddah Superdome in Saudi Arabia. However, while the bout only lasted two rounds, those two rounds were packed with drama.
Prenga came racing out of the blocks and knocked a shell-shocked Joshua down twice in the opening round.
Joshua regained his composure and asserted his dominance in the second round, and the bout was stopped following a brutal shot that sent Prenga crashing to the canvas.
Oleksandr Usyk’s Reaction to Joshua’s Victory
Credit: REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
Former undisputed world heavyweight champion Usyk was present in Jeddah to watch Joshua fight. The 39-year-old, who beat Joshua twice earlier this decade, trained alongside his former opponent as he prepared for his fight against Prenga.
Usyk took to Instagram on Saturday afternoon to wish Joshua good luck. He wrote: “Good luck tonight Anthony Joshua. I know how much work you have put into preparing for this fight. Now go out there and do what you came to do. Respect always!”
Ring Magazine have now posted footage showing Usyk’s reaction to Joshua’s victory. The Ukrainian appeared to breathe a huge sign of relief after Joshua’s victory was secured.
Usyk then made his way into the ring and the two shared an emotional embrace, with Joshua saying that ‘it was okay.’
Usyk gave his assessment on Joshua’s performance after his victory. He told talkSPORT: “Anthony Joshua is next undisputed champion. First round it’s a test but AJ is back.
“It’s boxing, [the] big upper cut is good, it’s a knockdown. AJ [come] back and win. Greedy Belly [Fury] will speak now and say weak chin, Greedy Belly get out. AJ wins [against Fury], [he will] knock him out.”
Joshua Praises Prenga and Speak About Fury
Credit: REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
Joshua was very complimentary of Prenga following the bout. He said, per Sky Sports: “He’s a strong guy and I think Eddie [Hearn] wants to sign him now!
“He is going to do well and has a bright future. Maybe with a bit more experience, he will be up there with the rest of us.
“He is strong and durable and gave me a good test but this is what champions do, we rise. We get knocked down and stand up. That’s life.”
Joshua is now expected to face Tyson Fury next. Speaking about the potential bout, Joshua said: “I am going to rip his heart out. I am the meanest and most vicious champion there has ever been!
“All jokes aside, I respect everything he has done and achieved but we are here now. I hope the fans will be in for a lovely treat.”
Saturday night’s blistering two-round heavyweight shootout between Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga was fixed. That’s the view of former Crystal Palace and talkSPORT owner Simon Jordan, who took to social media after the fight to share his theory.
The bout was considered by many to be little more than a warm-up for Joshua ahead of his planned showdown with long-time rival Tyson Fury later this year.
However, within just seconds of the opening bell, ‘AJ’ was fighting for his career after being sent to the canvas with a right uppercut. The Watford man made it back to his feet, but looked to be in real trouble of suffering a first-round defeat.
Anthony Joshua Was Almost Knocked Out By Kristian Prenga
His Albanian opponent seemed to realise it, too, as he marched forward, landing a barrage of blows. Joshua did his best to try and avoid damage, but touched the mat again during the final minute of the round, prompting another count from referee Luis Pabon.
‘AJ’ made it back to his corner, but it hardly looked like the 60-second break would do him much good. The 36-year-old appeared on the verge of being taken out in a loss that would have almost certainly signalled the end of his time in the ring.
Curiously, though, Prenga didn’t seek to force home his advantage in the second round, allowing Joshua to find his way into the fight and ultimately secure a knockout victory with a huge right hand that sent Prenga sprawling to the canvas.
Admittedly, there was a huge gulf in class between the two fighters in terms of their resumes, but Jordan insisted that there was something more sinister behind the dramatic turnaround in the fight.
Conspiracy Theory Emerges on Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga
“Not having that Anthony Joshua fight,” he argued in a post on Twitter. “Dropped twice and sets the tempo [in the second round]. How’s that? Prenga totally different in the 2nd. Something not quite right. All designed to rinse the maximum amount of money.”
Per official numbers from CompuBox, the underdog Prenga only threw 17 punches in the second round before he was stopped, landing with just three. That came after he found the target with 13 of 46 in the first.
While Prenga’s output definitely dropped in the second round, there is no evidence to support Jordan’s theory of the fight being fixed.
Credit: REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
However, some fans on social media were in agreement with the controversial radio host.
“That’s got to be the most blatantly fixed fight ever. Prenga drops Joshua twice in round 1, comes out for round 2, doesn’t throw a punch and just lets Joshua punch his head off,” argued one fan.
Another wrote: “Did someone get into Prenga’s ear after the first round to throw that fight? He didn’t throw a single punch in the 2nd round. Fixed.”
A third agreed: “Something very sus about this. Geezer was battering Joshua then 2nd round came and he didn’t wanna know! Fixed to max!”
Others, though, were quick to shoot down Jordan’s statement.
“AJ took an uppercut (by a fighter with 20 KO wins),” began one reply. “[He was a] little rusty and came back. His jab clearly warned off Prenga, and he did some damage before the knockout. Not everything has to be a conspiracy!”
“Bit too deep Simon. Was just a fight,” declared another response. AJ got whacked, and then 2nd round, whacked the other guy out. You can’t script/fake what happened in that fight.”
A final comment pointed out: “The aftermath felt genuine. Very hard to orchestrate a heavyweight boxing match.”
With Joshua now set to move on to a money-spinning bout with Fury, it is highly unlikely that Prenga will ever get the chance to share the ring with ‘AJ’ again, especially given the shock that he almost caused.
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
Former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua won his final fight before his planned showdown with Tyson Fury later this year with a victory over unheralded Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
Fury competed in a warm-up bout of his own on Friday night, stopping 46-year-old veteran Mariusz Wach. Joshua got the job done quicker, as he ended his fight in the second round, but he had to survive a huge scare.
Joshua was floored within the first 30 seconds after being caught flush with a right uppercut and would find himself on the canvas again before the end of the session.
Joshua bounced back in the second, securing the win with a devastating left hand that separated Prenga from his senses.
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
