The news that Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is set to move to Everton for an eventual fee of £30 million (£22m up front, and £8m in add-ons) has made us question everything we ever knew about how much a player costs.
Pickford, 23, will be No. 3 on the list of most expensive goalkeepers in world football. Not just the Premier League. But the entire world. Narrowly behind Gianluigi Buffon (£32.6m) and Man City’s recent signing from Benfica, Ederson Moraes (£34.7m).
The England Under-21 international’s potential move suggests that goalkeepers are now viewed with a bit more respect in the transfer window that in previous years — Bayern buying Manuel Neuer for €19m in 2011 anyone? — so we thought we’d take a look to see how expensive the world’s best might be now…
David De Gea, Manchester United – £60m
If Real Madrid are to poach United’s No. 1 then they will have to break the transfer record for a goalkeeper. Sorry, did we say break it? We meant almost DOUBLE it. If De Gea is let go for anything under £60m then the Champions League winners can count themselves a bargain. The fact he is only 26, has at least another decade left in the game and a contract option until 2020, only increases his value.
Jan Oblak, Atletico Madrid – £55m
The youngster goalkeeper on the list, at 24, and one who has been attracting Europe’s elite with his performances in Spain. His contract is secure until 2021, which means that Atletico have plenty of bargaining power and, although he won’t be going anywhere due to the club’s transfer ban, he would be worth over £50m at the current rate.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Barcelona – £49m
The recent post from CIES marks Ter Stegen at £73m, but that’s a little steep even for a 25-year-old who has a contract until 2022. The German has had to win over his doubters at Barcelona and still has a little way to go before he’s considered one of the top goalkeepers in world football, however good he may be with his feet.
Courtois, Chelsea- £45m
Two years left on his current contract means Courtois is not quite as valuable as the two above him. However, if Real were to come calling them they would have to put down at least £45m to tempt Chelsea into a deal. Given that he arrived from Genk for a feeble fee of €9m in 2011, that’s not a bad profit.
Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich – £40m
At 31, Neuer is coming towards the end of a glittering career, although if he keeps going as long as Buffon then he may manage another decade of service too. It’s incredible to think that the German champions picked him up for just £19m six years ago. That price has almost certainly doubled now, in light of recent events, but Bayern would not even consider letting him depart.
Wildcards
Gianluigi Donnarumma, AC Milan – £38m: Sorry, Mino Raiola, he’s not worth €170m. At 18, the Italian still has a lot of growing to do. But don’t rule out a Renato Sanches style deal which sees a club pay upfront with a whopping add-on clause to make it a world-record.
Hugo Lloris, Tottenham – £35m: The Spurs goalkeeper is one of the most reliable in the Premier League and would cost a pretty penny after signing a new deal until 2022.
Keylor Navas, Real Madrid – £25m: He may have won the Champions League but would still likely just be a makeweight for a deal for a better goalkeeper.
Jack Butland, Stoke – £22m: A season interrupted by injury means Butland’s price has dropped but he would still be England’s most expensive goalkeeper behind Pickford.
Joe Hart, Man City – £15m: Incredible as it seems, Hart is probably only worth half what Everton are paying for Pickford now after some dismal form.
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