Manchester United’s Kobby Mainu surged to the forefront of global football in 2024, emerging as the sport’s fastest-rising talent. The year-end ranking of players whose market values climbed the most and those who lost ground was published on the Transfermarkt channel on Telegram. Mainu’s value reportedly rose by 29 million euros during the year, highlighting a breakout season that captured attention across Europe. Not far behind, Pau Kubarsi, a 17-year-old Barcelona defender, jumped from 1.5 million euros to an impressive 25 million euros, securing second place on the list of top value increases. In third, another young star saw a notable rise, with the 19-year-old defender advancing significantly in market valuation. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovich lifted his price from 2 million euros to 25 million euros, signaling a robust youth-driven market trend in the midfield category.
On the downside, Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich faced the steepest depreciation among prominent players, with his value slipping from 75 million euros to 60 million euros. The same period saw the sport’s most expensive stars—Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappe—holding valuations around the 180 million euro mark, underscoring a market that remains buoyant at the upper end while rewarding younger talents with rapid growth trajectories.
Before these shifts, Georgian forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who plays for Napoli, earned a reputation as Serie A’s most valuable asset according to Transfermarkt, reflecting his rising status in one of Europe’s premier leagues. This trend underlines a broader pattern in modern football: young players with rapid development cycles are redefining market values, while established veterans can experience variable depreciation based on form, contract situations, and squad dynamics.
In domestic competition news, Manchester United and Liverpool continued to press their campaigns with strong showings in cup contests, as United advanced to a quarterfinal berth in the FA Cup. This phase of the season often intertwines with market movements, as performances on the field can influence valuations through shifting demand, contract negotiations, and transfer speculation. The market’s pulse remains active across the biggest European leagues, with clubs balancing investments in youth development and proven pedigree players to build competitive squads for the coming seasons. The data from Transfermarkt serves as a barometer for clubs evaluating potential signings, academy breakthroughs, and strategic asset management across the football world.