Top scorer Olunga is catching up
Transfermarkt have fully updated the market values of players active in the 2022 World Cup host country following the end of the Qatar Stars League. Most of the former professionals of top European clubs are again in the red – including James Rodríguez (30). The ex-Bayerman has settled in well since his 8 million euro move to Al-Rayyan SC and contributed twelve points in 14 competitive games, but no longer justifies the high market value due to his age and league.
Despite the devaluation by 2m to 13m euros, the Colombian playmaker remains at the top of the league rankings – at least for as long as he is there. In February, James hinted that he could consider a move again. He has recently been linked with Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Aston Villa in the TM rumor mill.
Players like James’ former Bayern team-mate Javi Martínez (33; Qatar SC), Yacine Brahimi (32), Steven Nzonzi (33; both Al-Rayyan) and Toby Alderweireld (33; Al-Duhail) are also devalued. Martínez stands at €3.5m after a €500,000 cut, with Brahimi, Nzonzi (both down to €5m) and Alderweireld (down to €7m) down €1m each. Former Hamburger Pierre-Michel Lasogga (30) lost 50,000 euros and is now worth 250,000 euros. At Al-Khor SC, the striker has played just 184 minutes in five competitive games this season (two goals/one assist).
However, there are also upgrades in the Qatar Stars League: For example, for top scorer Michael Olunga (28) from Al-Duhail SC. The striker was previously Kenya’s most valuable player, but after his jump of €2m to €9m he puts even more distance between himself and Victor Wanyama (30; CF Montreal), who is at €5m. Olunga has been convincing all along the line this season, not only securing the top scorer’s crown with 22 goals in 20 league games, but also scoring a further six goals in nine games in the AFC Champions League and Amir Cup.
There is also a big winner in Qatar’s World Cup team: Left winger Akram Afif (25) from Al-Sadd SC, where Xavi was the coach before moving to Barcelona, has increased by 1.5 million to 5.5 million euros . The former Villarreal professional collected 30 points in 18 games in the league. He had previously attracted attention in the national team, where he is by far the most valuable player in the squad, at the Gold Cup 2021 and the FIFA Arab Cup with numerous goals.
This is how the Transfermarkt market values work
The Transfermarkt market values are created taking into account various pricing models and a strong involvement of the Transfermarkt community, which deals with the values in detailed discussions. The transfer market market values are not to be equated with the transfer fees actually paid.
The goal is not to predict a price, but an expected value. When determining the market value, both individual transfer modalities and situational framework conditions are relevant to a certain extent. Examples of this are listed here. Transfermarkt does not use an algorithm (for detailed market value definition).
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