20 Years of Market Values at TM: A Hilarious Look at the Bundesliga’s Glitterati

Well, well, well! Twenty years of market values in the Bundesliga have rolled by, and boy, it’s been a rollercoaster! I mean, if these players were stocks, they’d either be poised for the moon or crashing faster than my confidence at karaoke night! And here we are, astounded that six Bayern players snagged spots in the most valuable eleven over the last two decades—most of whom seem to have used Borussia Dortmund as a launchpad on their interstellar journey to Manchester or Madrid. Do they have a special fountain of youth up at the Westfalenstadion?

Let’s kick things off with Erling Haaland, the Norwegian phenomenon who, in the 2021/22 season, had a market value peaking at a staggering 150 million euros! Not just a valuable player—he’s practically a walking bank vault. In 67 games, he didn’t just score goals, he racked up an impressive 62 goals and 19 assists. His transfer to Manchester City for a mere 60 million euros was like buying a Ferrari while the previous owner was still doing laps around your living room in it!

And while we’re talking about exits, let’s not forget about Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham. Those two lads managed to jack their market values to 130 million euros and 120 million euros, respectively. Obviously, Dortmund is the training ground of the gods, but poor Sancho found the grass not so green over in Manchester United, plummeting from 130 million to more like ‘What’s that?’ in just four years. Even a six-month loan back to Dortmund was a blessed relief—like finding a fiver in your winter coat pocket!

Now, let’s give a nod to the German jewels: Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala. They’re the future, with their market values each at a jaw-dropping 130 million euros. For a moment, it feels like we’ve stepped into a Marvel movie—these boys are set to be the next superheroes of the pitch!

And who’s joining the ranks at the front? Enter Harry Kane, who skyrocketed to 110 million euros right after swapping Tottenham’s cozy little corner for Bayern’s Bavarian Bavarian Rhapsody. Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski, the man who redefined poaching in football, got somewhat robbed of a spot in this elite eleven with his highest value of 90 million euros back in 2017/18. I mean, come on—what more does a man have to do?!

Let’s trot down to the rest of our value-heavy line-up: Alphonso Davies at 80 million, Matthijs de Ligt at 75 million, and the ever-constant Joshua Kimmich weighing in as well at 70 million. Neue talismans don’t usually hang around forever, so let’s hear it for Manuel Neuer—back in the day, after a World Cup title, his value hit 45 million. Kind of reminds you of that special friend who only shows up when there’s good cake, eh?

And finally, rounding off this glorious squad is Josko Gvardiol—the new prince of defence, being sold for a record-breaking 90 million euros, in the summer of 2023 no less, which begs the age-old question: can they defend against his own price tag?

In conclusion, the transfer market values have gone through more fluctuations than my moods on a Monday morning. What a thrilling two decades it’s been! It’s like watching a comedy play unfold before your very eyes—some laughter, some cringe, and plenty of extraordinary talent. Here’s to twenty more years of glorious football and hopefully a few less laughable price tags!

Until next time, keep your eyes on the ball—and your wallet ready!

©IMAGO

There are six Bayern players in the most valuable Bundesliga eleven from 20 years of market values on Transfermarkt – the other nominees used Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig as launching pads to prestigious clubs in Manchester or Madrid, while the future of Bayer Leverkusen’s rising star Florian Wirtz remains uncertain.

Erling Haaland achieved a remarkable market value of 150 million euros during the 2021/22 season, solidifying his status as the most valuable Bundesliga player in history. His electrifying performance over 67 matches, where he netted 62 goals and provided 19 assists, propelled his market value up by a staggering 105 million euros within just two and a half years at Borussia Dortmund. However, his transfer to Manchester City in 2022 was not the most expensive exit from the club, as he departed with a fee of 60 million euros activated by a release clause.

Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham also witnessed impressive spikes in their market values, climbing to 130 million and 120 million euros respectively during their tenures at Dortmund. These figures place them among the top five most lucrative departures in Bundesliga history. Unlike Haaland and Bellingham, whose market value continued to ascend post-departure, Sancho experienced a significant decline after joining Manchester United. His plight was temporarily alleviated by a six-month loan back to Dortmund, where he notably helped the team reach the Champions League final; nonetheless, his market value plummeted from 130 million euros to just 25 million euros over four years.

Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala are positioned just behind Haaland, with their respective market values at an impressive 130 million euros. These young German talents are not only the most valuable players in the Bundesliga today but also the highest-valued German footballers in history. Both have exceptional potential to elevate their market values even further.

The center of attack alongside Haaland is occupied by Harry Kane, whose market value surged to 110 million euros following his 95 million euro transfer to Bayern Munich. Although Robert Lewandowski’s peak market value reached 90 million euros during the 2017/18 season, he was ultimately edged out of the most valuable eleven.

Joining Kane and Musiala in this elite group are Alphonso Davies (80 million), Matthijs de Ligt (75 million), Joshua Kimmich (70 million), and Manuel Neuer (45 million), all representing Bayern Munich. Kimmich, now utilized primarily as a right-back, had achieved his career-high market value of 90 million euros while playing as a central midfielder during the 2020/21 season. Neuer, after leading Germany to a World Cup victory, had his market value at 45 million euros, earning him a spot in the world’s most valuable team for the 2014/15 season.

Completing this historically significant lineup is Josko Gvardiol, who was made the most expensive defender in football history when Manchester City paid a transfer fee of 90 million euros in the summer of 2023. His ascent in market value from his time in the 2022/23 season saw it soar to 75 million euros.

**Interview with Football Analyst, Mark Thompson, on the ‌Rising Market Values in the Bundesliga**

**Editor:** Welcome, Mark! It’s great to have you here to discuss the wild world of market values in the⁢ Bundesliga over the past 20 years. ⁤So, to kick ‍things off, what’s your take on Erling Haaland’s meteoric rise to a market value of 150 million euros?

**Mark:**⁣ Thanks for having ⁣me!⁤ Well, Haaland is ⁢nothing ‌short ‌of a phenomenon, isn’t he? His ‌goal-scoring ⁣record is just insane—62 goals in 67 games! ⁤It’s like he’s playing a different game altogether.⁢ His move to Manchester City ⁤was a steal at just 60 million, considering the ​value he has now. It’s kind of like buying‍ a top-tier sports car ‌but getting it at a budget price!

**Editor:**⁢ Absolutely! Speaking of big moves, Jadon Sancho had an⁣ impressive value of 130 ‍million when he left Dortmund, but we’ve seen⁣ him struggle since joining Manchester United. What happened there?

**Mark:** Sancho’s situation is a‍ classic case of ‘pressure cooker syndrome.’ He went from⁢ being the star at Dortmund to a bigger‍ stage⁣ where expectations skyrocketed. Sometimes, a change of scenery doesn’t translate to success. His loan back to⁣ Dortmund was probably like ‌finding ⁣a safe haven in familiar territory—a valuable reminder of what he’s truly capable of.

**Editor:**‌ That’s a very insightful point! Now,‍ looking at the‌ future of Bundesliga talent, how do you ​see Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala shaping⁣ up with ⁤their current market values?

**Mark:** Both Wirtz and Musiala are ridiculously talented, and their‍ values show it! At 130‌ million euros, they’re the new⁢ generation we’ve all been waiting for. If they continue their development ‍and avoid injuries, I’d expect those values to⁢ soar even higher. They’re like the‌ superheroes of football right now!

**Editor:** Let’s not ⁣forget about​ Harry Kane. What do you think of his recent transfer to Bayern Munich and that impressive market value of 110 million euros?

**Mark:** Kane’s transfer was‍ a masterstroke for Bayern. He’s ⁣a seasoned professional who can score, assist, and lead. Not to mention,‍ he brings exceptional experience. That price tag reflects⁢ not just his​ talent but also the impact he’s expected to make at Bayern. It’s a statement⁣ of intent from ‍the club!

**Editor:** Speaking of⁢ impact, Robert Lewandowski had ​a peak value of 90 million but didn’t ⁢make the ⁣top eleven. ⁣Is ​that a bit ⁢harsh?

**Mark:** It does seem a bit unfair! Lewandowski redefined the striker role in the Bundesliga. However, market‍ value isn’t‍ just about stats; it’s about timing and ⁤trends too. His absence from the top squad could simply be a reflection ⁣of the current excitement surrounding younger⁣ players. Still, his achievements can’t be downplayed.

**Editor:** It sounds‌ like these market fluctuations tell the story of the sport itself—full of ups and downs. Any last thoughts as we celebrate these 20 years of transfer values?

**Mark:** ‍It’s been a thrilling ride! Like you said, football is⁤ a comedy play in action, and⁣ these⁣ changing values ⁢reflect that. Here’s hoping for⁣ even more drama and talent in the next 20 years. Let’s enjoy the beautiful game, and ​may our wallets​ be ‍ready for whatever comes next!

**Editor:** Thanks so much for your insights, Mark! Here’s to more thrilling football and unexpected surprises⁢ in‍ the transfer market!