Top 20 Most Valuable Premier League Squads (2025/26 Ranked)
Money talks in football, and nowhere louder than in the Premier League. Squad valuations are now hitting astronomical levels, with billion-pound lineups competing week after week. For some clubs, that wealth translates directly into silverware. For others, it only highlights the gulf between ambition and reality.
The 2025/26 season has barely begun, yet squad values already tell us plenty about the balance of power. Newly promoted sides like Burnley, Sunderland, and Leeds United find themselves dwarfed by the giants. At the other end, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool boast squads worth nearly £1 billion or more.
Here’s the definitive ranking of all 20 Premier League clubs by squad value, heading into the new campaign.
20. Burnley — £196m
Burnley sit rock-bottom of the financial ladder, with a squad valuation under £200m. Vincent Kompany’s side spent modestly, their record signing Lesley Ugochukwu arriving for £24m. That’s a fraction of what rivals at the top spend on a single squad player.
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The Clarets’ survival bid looks daunting given the gulf in resources. Their reliance on discipline and tactical organisation will be tested against billion-pound opponents. Still, Burnley’s compact, high-energy approach could frustrate teams that underestimate them.
For now, though, their financial ceiling makes them clear underdogs in the Premier League’s money game.
19. Sunderland — £252m
Sunderland’s promotion via the play-offs was a romantic tale, but their squad value reveals the challenges ahead. At £252m, they rank just above Burnley but remain miles away from mid-table rivals.
The arrival of Granit Xhaka was their marquee move, adding steel and experience. Yet questions persist about whether their youthful core can handle the week-in, week-out demands of the Premier League.
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Fans are excited to see Sunderland back in the top flight, but bookmakers remain skeptical. Survival will depend on whether Bielsa-style intensity from manager Tony Mowbray’s successor can cover the financial gaps.
18. Leeds United — £257m
Leeds return after two seasons away, but their £257m squad valuation is only good enough for 18th. The Peacocks see themselves as a Premier League club by tradition, but reality has been harsher.
Investments have been measured rather than bold. The Elland Road faithful may demand more ambition, but steady squad-building could ensure stability. Leeds’ survival hopes rest on keeping their home a fortress, where the energy of the crowd can close the financial divide.
Still, being so far below the league’s richest shows how steep the climb is for clubs outside the top half.
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17. Wolverhampton Wanderers — £287m
Wolves are just ahead of the promoted sides, but their trajectory is worrying. Once a stable top-half side, they’ve been bleeding talent, with Matheus Cunha (£62.5m) and Rayan Aït-Nouri (£31m) sold off.
Their valuation of £287m reflects a shrinking squad quality, even as they cling to Premier League status. Staying competitive with such sales will test their recruitment team.
For now, Wolves remain in limbo: not wealthy enough to build, yet too established to collapse outright. Fans fear the slide could worsen unless reinvestment arrives quickly.
16. Fulham — £292m
Fulham break the £290m mark, just edging Wolves. Remarkably, this could be the first season under Marco Silva where no star has left Craven Cottage.
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Their big move was record signing Kevin, a Brazilian midfielder arriving for £34.6m. He joins a side that has balanced pragmatism with attacking flair. Fulham’s cautious yet steady squad-building keeps them afloat, though not quite in contention for Europe.
Whether this more settled summer finally sparks consistency will be key to their mid-table ambitions.
15. Everton — £319m
Everton are entering a new era, playing at their new stadium under David Moyes and new ownership. The Friedkin Group invested around £100m, including Thierno Barry (£27m) and Tyler Diling (£40m).
With a squad valuation of £319m, they still sit outside the top half, but optimism is returning. Fans hope Moyes can deliver stability and a route back toward European football.
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After years of turbulence, Everton’s future depends on converting spending power into results. Their new stadium is a symbol of ambition, but the squad still lags behind richer rivals.
14. West Ham United — £322m
The Hammers’ squad valuation of £322m reflects a team in transition. Selling Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham for £55m was a major blow, but keeping Lucas Paquetá was a relief.
Despite their valuation, expectations are modest. Fans crave progress but fear mediocrity. West Ham continue to walk the fine line between ambition and financial restraint.
If Paquetá stays fit and motivated, he could inspire another top-half push. Without him, their valuation may feel inflated compared to results.
13. Bournemouth — £336m
Bournemouth saw major departures this summer, losing Dean Huijsen, Illia Zabarnyi, and Milos Kerkez. Their squad valuation dipped to £336m as a result.
Replacements like Bafodé Diakité (£34m) and Djordje Petrovic (£25m) arrived, but the team looks leaner. Fans worry about depth, though manager Andoni Iraola’s style remains exciting.
Bournemouth consistently punch above their weight. But financially, they’re still fighting uphill battles against wealthier clubs.
12. Brentford — £339m
Brentford enter the post-Thomas Frank era with a squad valued at £339m. Bryan Mbeumo (£71m) and Yoane Wissa (£55m) departures shaped their summer.
Despite sales, the Bees retain a core identity built on analytics and smart scouting. Oliver Glasner now leads them into a new chapter.
Fans know Brentford’s magic formula often outshines finances. But without Frank’s leadership, replicating past stability may prove harder.
11. Crystal Palace — £374m
Palace lifted the FA Cup last season, a historic moment. That success inevitably attracted suitors. Arsenal bought Eberechi Eze for £67.5m, but Marc Guéhi stayed despite Liverpool interest.
Their £374m valuation shows how far they’ve come, yet also how fragile success can be. Oliver Glasner’s team is strong, but losing another star could tilt the balance.
For now, Palace dream bigger, with European qualification a realistic aim after their cup triumph.
10. Brighton & Hove Albion — £401m
Brighton’s £401m squad is a testament to their recruitment genius. Fabian Hürzeler kept hold of Carlos Baleba despite Manchester United’s interest.
The Seagulls did sell João Pedro to Chelsea for £60m, proving they remain a talent factory. With a young, energetic squad, Brighton are one of the most watchable sides in the league.
Their valuation places them among Europe’s top 20, an astonishing rise for a club once battling relegation.
9. Aston Villa — £474m
Villa’s valuation of £474m reflects their rise under Unai Emery. They’ve disrupted the Premier League’s hierarchy, though PSR restrictions forced Jacob Ramsey’s £40m exit.
Harvey Elliott arrived late in a £35m move, adding creativity. Villa now balance financial caution with ambition.
Fans expect another European push, even with spending reined in. Emery’s tactical mastery remains Villa’s greatest asset.
8. Nottingham Forest — £511m
Forest’s squad, valued at £511m, represents a bold project under Evangelos Marinakis. Omari Hutchinson (£37.5m) and Dan Ndoye (£37m) were key signings.
They narrowly missed Champions League qualification last season, settling for Europa League instead. With their resources, expectations are high.
Critics argue their spending is risky, but Forest’s ambition is undeniable. They’ve built one of the Premier League’s deepest squads.
7. Newcastle United — £572m
Newcastle are seventh with a £572m squad. Despite Saudi backing, their growth has been measured rather than explosive.
Selling Alexander Isak for £130m was controversial but boosted balance sheets. A League Cup triumph last season gave fans their first trophy in 70 years.
Financially, Newcastle remain behind the elite, but they’re climbing steadily. Their strategy prioritises sustainability over reckless splurges.
6. Manchester United — £649m
At £649m, United’s squad is still among the richest, but morale is fragile. Ruben Amorim called them “the worst in the club’s history” last year.
New arrivals Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha aim to revive fortunes. Garnacho (£40m) and Antony (£21.65m) were sold to reshape the squad.
The Red Devils must translate financial muscle into results. Otherwise, their valuation will only deepen frustrations.
5. Tottenham Hotspur — £773m
Tottenham boast a £773m squad, thanks to savvy deals. Xavi Simons (£52m), Mohammed Kudus, and João Palhinha strengthened Thomas Frank’s side.
Fans hope Spurs avoid another rollercoaster season. Their value ranks fifth, but results must follow.
With Champions League football, Spurs could solidify themselves as genuine contenders. But consistency remains their biggest challenge.
4. Chelsea — £936m
Chelsea’s squad valuation is an eye-watering £936m. Critics once mocked them as “billion-pound bottle jobs,” but their Club World Cup win silenced doubters.
Expensive signings continue to define their approach. Yet the squad now looks balanced, with academy products still playing a role.
Pressure is immense. With such wealth, anything short of a title challenge will be seen as failure.
3. Liverpool — £970m
Liverpool’s £970m squad is built for dominance. Signings like Florian Wirtz (£116m), Isak (£130m), and Hugo Ekitike (£69m) underline their ambition.
Arne Slot has refreshed the Reds’ identity without losing Klopp’s high-intensity DNA. After reclaiming the Premier League title last season, they’re hungry for more.
With talent across every line, Liverpool are contenders both domestically and in Europe. Their valuation proves that success has been built as much with spending as with culture.
2. Manchester City — £1.07bn
City’s squad crosses the £1bn mark at £1.07bn. Pep Guardiola’s model of ruthless evolution continues, despite financial investigations hanging over the club.
Gianluigi Donnarumma arrived on huge wages, signalling City’s intent to dominate further. Critics argue their spending is unsustainable, but results keep justifying it.
For now, City remain the team to beat. With six league titles in seven years, their squad depth is unmatched.
1. Arsenal — £1.15bn
Arsenal top the valuation chart with a £1.15bn squad. Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta have assembled a team ready to finally end their league drought.
Signings Viktor Gyökeres (£64m), Martin Zubimendi (£55m), and Noni Madueke (£48.5m) added balance and firepower.
But with value comes pressure. Arsenal haven’t lifted silverware since 2020. If this squad can’t deliver, questions will mount about whether money alone can buy success.
