Money has always played a significant role in football, but the salaries earned by the game’s biggest stars continue to reach staggering new heights. English players are among the highest earners in world football, with many of them securing lucrative contracts both in the Premier League and abroad. From established internationals to rising stars, these players are rewarded handsomely for their performances on the pitch and their commercial value off it. Here is a look at the 16 highest-paid English footballers in the world in 2026, starting with number 16.
All statistics via Capology and Transfermarkt unless stated – correct as of 30/05/2026
16. Eberechi Eze (Arsenal) – £180,000 per week
Eberechi Eze completed one of the biggest moves of his career when he joined Arsenal and quickly demonstrated why the club were willing to invest heavily in him. Blessed with exceptional dribbling ability and creativity, Eze is capable of unlocking even the most stubborn defences. His versatility allows him to operate in several attacking roles, giving Mikel Arteta valuable tactical flexibility. Those qualities have helped him secure a contract worth £180,000 per week at the Emirates Stadium.
15. Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – £190,000 per week
Harry Maguire has enjoyed one of the most remarkable redemption stories in recent Premier League history. Written off by many after a difficult spell at Manchester United, the defender fought his way back into the starting lineup and re-established himself as one of the club’s most dependable performers. His leadership, aerial dominance and resilience have made him a valuable figure both on and off the pitch. Those qualities continue to earn him a substantial salary of £190,000 per week.
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14. Reece James (Chelsea) – £200,000 per week
Reece James is widely regarded as one of the most talented full-backs in world football when fully fit. The Chelsea captain possesses a rare combination of defensive strength, technical quality and attacking threat, making him a crucial part of the team’s system. Unfortunately, injuries have repeatedly interrupted his progress over recent seasons, preventing him from consistently showcasing his full potential. Even so, Chelsea remain committed to their skipper, rewarding him with £200,000 every week.
13. Phil Foden (Manchester City) – £225,000 per week
Phil Foden has already achieved more than most footballers could dream of during his career at Manchester City. A product of the club’s academy, he has played a key role in multiple Premier League triumphs and European successes under Pep Guardiola. While recent campaigns have not always matched the extraordinary standards he previously set, Foden remains one of England’s most gifted attacking players. His influence and achievements are reflected in his £225,000-per-week salary.
12. Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, on loan from Manchester United) – £232,707 per week
Marcus Rashford has revived his career during his loan spell at Barcelona after enduring a difficult period at Manchester United. The forward arrived in Spain determined to rediscover his best form and quickly became an important contributor for the Catalan giants. His pace, direct running and eye for goal continue to make him a dangerous weapon against any defence. Despite taking a pay cut to facilitate the move, Rashford still earns more than £232,000 every week.
11. Declan Rice (Arsenal) – £240,000 per week
Declan Rice has fully justified Arsenal’s decision to make him one of the most expensive signings in English football history. Since arriving from West Ham United, the midfielder has transformed the balance of Mikel Arteta’s side with his leadership, defensive intelligence and ability to drive forward with the ball. Rice has become one of the first names on the teamsheet and is widely viewed as a future club captain. His importance to Arsenal is reflected in a weekly wage of £240,000.
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10. Marc Guehi (Manchester City) – £250,000 per week
Marc Guehi has steadily developed into one of the most reliable centre-backs in English football. After impressing for Crystal Palace over several seasons, he earned a high-profile move to Manchester City, where expectations immediately increased. Calm in possession and excellent in one-on-one situations, Guehi has all the attributes required to succeed at the highest level. His rise has been rewarded with a lucrative contract worth £250,000 per week.
9. Jadon Sancho (Aston Villa, on loan from Manchester United) – £250,000 per week
Jadon Sancho’s career has taken a surprising path since his blockbuster move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United. Once regarded as one of the most exciting young wingers in Europe, he struggled to consistently reproduce the form that made him a superstar in Germany. A loan spell at Aston Villa has given him another opportunity to rebuild his confidence and remind supporters of his immense talent. Despite his mixed fortunes, Sancho remains one of England’s highest earners on £250,000 per week.
8. John Stones (Manchester City) – £250,000 per week
John Stones has been one of Manchester City’s most important defenders during the club’s golden era under Pep Guardiola. The England international reinvented himself as a hybrid defender and midfielder, adding a new dimension to City’s style of play. His composure under pressure and technical ability make him unique among centre-backs in world football. Even as he enters the latter stages of his career, Stones continues to earn £250,000 every week.
7. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid) – £279,469 per week
Trent Alexander-Arnold brought an end to his long association with Liverpool when he completed a move to Real Madrid. Widely regarded as one of the best attacking full-backs of his generation, the England international built his reputation on exceptional passing range and creativity from deep positions. His switch to the Spanish giants came with a significant salary increase and the opportunity to compete for even more major honours. Alexander-Arnold now pockets just under £280,000 per week in the Spanish capital.
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6. Anthony Gordon (Barcelona) – £300,000 per week
Anthony Gordon has enjoyed a remarkable transformation since emerging as a young prospect at Everton. Following an impressive spell with Newcastle United, the winger earned a dream move to Barcelona, where he quickly adapted to life at one of the biggest clubs in world football. His pace, work rate and ability to contribute goals have made him a valuable addition to the Catalan side. Gordon’s impressive rise through the game has culminated in a contract worth £300,000 per week.
5. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) – £300,000 per week
Bukayo Saka has become the face of Arsenal’s modern resurgence and one of the most admired players in English football. Having progressed through the club’s academy, he has developed into a world-class winger capable of changing games with his pace, creativity and finishing ability. Saka’s consistency has been particularly impressive, as he continues to deliver at the highest level despite carrying enormous expectations. Arsenal rewarded their star man with a new deal worth £300,000 per week, ensuring one of their most valuable assets remains at the club for years to come.
4. Jack Grealish (Everton, on loan from Manchester City) – £300,000 per week
Jack Grealish remains one of the most recognisable names in English football. His move from Aston Villa to Manchester City made headlines around the world and helped cement his status as one of the game’s biggest stars. Although he has experienced mixed fortunes in recent seasons, a loan spell at Everton has allowed him to rediscover some of the confidence and flair that made him so effective earlier in his career. Grealish continues to command a substantial salary of £300,000 per week, reflecting both his talent and commercial appeal.
3. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – £349,210 per week
Jude Bellingham has established himself as one of the finest midfielders on the planet despite still being in the early stages of his career. Since joining Real Madrid, he has consistently produced performances that justify the enormous fee the Spanish giants paid to secure his signature. Combining leadership, technical excellence and a remarkable eye for goal, Bellingham has become one of the first names on the teamsheet for both club and country. His status as a global superstar is reflected in weekly earnings of more than £349,000.
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2. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) – £419,120 per week
Harry Kane remains the benchmark for English centre-forwards and continues to score goals at an astonishing rate. After ending his long association with Tottenham Hotspur, he moved to Bayern Munich and immediately established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s most dangerous attackers. Kane’s finishing, movement and leadership qualities have helped him maintain his position among the elite players in world football. His extraordinary consistency is rewarded with a salary exceeding £419,000 per week.
1. Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli) – £427,670 per week
Ivan Toney sits at the top of the list as the highest-paid English footballer in the world in 2026. The striker earned widespread praise during his time at Brentford, where he developed into one of the Premier League’s most clinical finishers. His decision to move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli significantly increased his earnings and transformed him into England’s top footballing earner. With a staggering weekly wage of £427,670, Toney now takes home more than any other English player in world football.
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