Barcelona's 19-year-old forward Lamine Yamal has become the most valuable footballer in history after his estimated transfer value (ETV) climbed to €225.9m. According to FootballTransfers' updated October figures, the Spanish winger is now worth more than Neymar's world-record €222m move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, a deal struck when the Brazilian's own ETV was only about €175m. On the back of a World Cup triumph with Spain and a stellar season at the Catalan club, the young star's value has surged from €190.9m in July to a record high.
The groundwork for those astronomical figures was laid when the French giants were prepared to go to any lengths to sign him. Barcelona president Joan Laporta confirmed the Parisians had been ready to pay an unprecedented sum. "When PSG offered us €250 million for Lamine Yamal, and we rejected it, he was 17 years old; some people thought we were crazy," he recalled. That gamble has paid off. The Catalans extended Yamal's contract until 2031 and set his release clause at €1bn, while the winger has had a direct hand in 14 goals in his last six matches for Hansi Flick's side, establishing himself as one of the leading contenders for the Ballon d'Or.
