Football Finances: Premier League Squad Values Ahead of 2025/26
Money continues to dominate football discourse—especially when comparing team performance to the cost of their squads. The discussion often intensifies after an underdog defeats a wealthy side, revealing the dramatic financial disparities in modern football.
Squad valuations in the Premier League keep soaring, with spending climbing year after year. Though the 2025/26 transfer window remains open, it’s an opportune moment to assess which clubs have the most valuable lineups heading into the new season.
For promoted sides, the financial gulf is stark. Their limited budgets make survival a steep challenge, especially when compared to title-holders Liverpool, whose expensive squad suggests that sometimes, spending big does yield silverware.
Bottom Five (20th–16th): Promoted Teams and Strugglers
Leeds United top the trio of newly promoted clubs with a squad worth £180 million. Burnley follow at £159 million, having narrowly missed the Championship title, while Sunderland—having recently climbed out of League One—sit last with a £116 million squad, facing a massive task to avoid the drop.
Everton, despite new ownership, a new stadium, and a managerial reunion with David Moyes, remain constrained financially, entering the season with a £219 million squad. Wolves edge just ahead at £235 million but continue to lose key talent, putting pressure on their ability to remain competitive.
Position Club Squad Value
16 Wolves £235 million
17 Everton £219 million
18 Leeds United £180 million
19 Burnley £159 million
20 Sunderland £116 million
Mid-Tier (15th–11th): Outperforming Expectations
Despite modest squad values, Nottingham Forest, Fulham, and Crystal Palace impressed last season. Palace lifted their first major trophy—the FA Cup—even though their squad is valued at only £362 million. Forest spent much of the campaign chasing a Champions League spot before finishing with Europa Conference League qualification. Fulham, though less flashy, remained solid.
West Ham’s squad, featuring stars like Paqueta and Bowen, is surprisingly valued at just £315 million. Brentford, dealing with key departures and a managerial change, sit at £368 million, facing uncertainty as they move into a post-Thomas Frank era.
Position Club Squad Value
11 Nottingham Forest £378 million
12 Brentford £368 million
13 Crystal Palace £362 million
14 West Ham £315 million
15 Fulham £270 million
Upper Mid-Table (10th–6th): Rising Fortunes and Careful Growth
Bournemouth’s transformation from near-extinction in League Two to European hopefuls is remarkable. Their £400 million squad reflects smart growth under manager Andoni Iraola.
Newcastle, although backed by significant wealth, have taken a measured approach. Their £508 million squad sits eighth in value, and they celebrated a major milestone by winning their first trophy in seven decades.
Aston Villa continue to disrupt under Unai Emery, boasting a £489 million squad. Brighton, known for savvy recruitment, have assembled £623 million worth of talent—just behind Spurs, whose £686 million squad will look to rebound after a poor season.
Position Club Squad Value
6 Tottenham £686 million
7 Brighton & Hove Albion £623 million
8 Newcastle £508 million
9 Aston Villa £489 million
10 Bournemouth £400 million
Top Five (5th–1st): Powerhouses and Price Tags
Manchester United’s nearly £700 million squad failed to meet expectations, enduring one of the worst seasons in their history. Arsenal, too, with a squad worth £861 million, continue to fall short, finishing second for a third consecutive season without adding silverware.
Liverpool, bolstered by the £116 million signing of Florian Wirtz, enter with a £929 million squad. Remarkably, they still have financial flexibility for further spending.
Chelsea’s lavish £1 billion squad earns them second spot—but they’re still chasing consistent success. Manchester City lead the financial table with a squad valued at £1.15 billion, a testament to both their dominance and the questions surrounding their financial practices.
Position Club Squad Value
1 Manchester City £1.15 billion
2 Chelsea £1 billion
3 Liverpool £929 million
4 Arsenal £861 million
5 Manchester United £697 million
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