Transfermarkt has published a ranking of the world’s clubs by the market value of their squads. Manchester City leads the list, boasting a total squad value of €1.29 billion. The data illuminate how top clubs across Europe stack their payrolls and talent pools to compete at the highest level, and they reflect a broader trend in modern football where squad depth and transfer activity drive on-pitch success and financial power.
Following City, several big-name clubs also crossed the €1 billion threshold. Arsenal reported a squad value of €1.11 billion, Real Madrid stood at €1.04 billion, and Paris Saint-Germain reached €1.03 billion. These figures underscore how the Premier League, La Liga, and Ligue 1 clubs leverage global talent pools to maintain elite status. Rounding out the top ten, Chelsea shows a value of €983.80 million, Bayern Munich at €931.95 million, Liverpool at €866.60 million, Barcelona at €818.00 million, Manchester United at €795.25 million, and Tottenham Hotspur at €754.80 million. The list highlights a blend of historical prestige and current market dynamics shaping each club’s long-term competitive edge .
Among the participants from Russia, only Saint Petersburg’s Zenit made the top tier, with a squad valued at €143.80 million. This places Zenit outside the global elite but still among the notable Russian representatives on the international stage .
In the early portion of the current Russian Premier League (RPL) season, Zenit has been competitive, sitting in second place with 36 points. The team, managed by Sergei Semak, trails the league leader Krasnodar by two points. As the season progresses, Zenit’s fixtures remain tightly contested, and in the 19th round, the Saint Petersburg club is scheduled to welcome Moscow’s Spartak to its home stadium. At the time of reporting, the exact date and kickoff details had not yet been confirmed, reflecting how schedules can shift in a dynamic league calendar .
Historically, expert commentary has at times framed expectations for the RPL in terms of title potential and club development. One veteran analyst, Oleg Romantsev, has commented on patterns that he believes will shape the eventual winner of the league, though such projections are always contingent on form, transfers, and injuries throughout the season. Romantsev’s observations contribute to a broader discussion about how Russian clubs balance domestic ambitions with European competition, market pressures, and the evolving transfer market .