LaLiga market values: Pedri now 2nd - Bellingham & Alexander-Arnold downgraded

After the Premier League was updated earlier this month, LaLiga became the second of the top five leagues to receive a market value update. Overall, 155 players competing in the Spanish first division received new market values. The two most valuable players in LaLiga remain Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, with a market value of €200 million. But there is some movement in second place, which Jude Bellingham had to surrender to Pedri (+€10m to €150m) and Vinicius Junior (unchanged at €150m).

Bellingham saw his market value drop by €20m from €160m to €140m and, as a result, is now ranked third. "Bellingham has suffered a significant loss of status at Real Madrid,” Transfermarkt Market Value Coordinator Spain, Tobias Blaseio, said. “He is, of course, measured against his peak performances from 2023 and 2024. His performance already showed a downward trend last year. The lack of continuity and various roles in the team certainly did not help him, so he is losing his status among the top 3 in LaLiga for the time being, but of course, he has the chance to play his way back to the top at Real Madrid and at the upcoming World Cup.”

Similar to Bellingham, his English compatriot Trent Alexander-Arnold has also struggled in recent weeks. "Alexander-Arnold arrived in Madrid with high expectations, including establishing a generational transition with Dani Carvajal,” Blaseio said. “To date, he has shown glimpses of his qualities in playmaking, but has struggled defensively, meaning that his definitive role in the team has yet to be established. As a result, he has been given a slight downgrade, but the potential to fully exploit his qualities again is definitely still there." Arnold saw his market value reduced by €5m from €70m to €65m.

LaLiga market values: Many downgrades at Real – Barcelona stars upgraded

Indeed, Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold are part of a wider trend at Real Madrid. Other players with downgrades include Dean Huijsen (-€5m to €65m), Rodrygo (-€10m to €50m), Franco Mastantuono (-€5m to €45m), Éder Militão, Raúl Asencio (both -€5m to €25m), and Antonio Rüdiger (-€3m to €9m) are among the prominent downgrades at Real. “In addition to numerous injuries, Real Madrid also has problems with its squad composition, but ultimately the outcome of the league and the Champions League will determine everything,” Blaseio said. “After the unsuccessful spell under Xabi Alonso, it does not look like Álvaro Arbeloa will still be on the sidelines next season. Here, too, it will be interesting to see which coach will be tasked with bringing the team and the various egos together."

The story is much better in Barcelona, where Pedri has now become the second-most valuable player in the league behind Mbappé and teammate Yamal. "Pedri's enormous influence on FC Barcelona's game is becoming increasingly apparent,” Blaseio said. “Without him, the team lacks its driving force; only a few players worldwide can match his level of control over the game. The impression Pedri makes on the pitch, which inspires both his teammates and the crowd, is becoming even more apparent in the public eye this season, and comparisons with his idol Andrés Iniesta are growing stronger. The statistics confirm this impression, as he is among the league's top players in terms of game actions. His surgical precision in passing is exceptional, as he is not a defender who mainly plays short passes or secures the ball. Pedri often has to take risks with extremely complex through balls, which he masters with flying colors."

Pedri isn’t the only Barça standout of this update either. Fermín López saw his market value increase by €30m from €70m to €100m. "Fermín is another product of La Masia academy, but has been known in the soccer world for some time now,” Blaseio said. “In January, his contract was extended until 2031 after he earned an increasingly important role in the team, including starting in every one of his Champions League games and ranking ahead of rival Dani Olmo as an attacking midfielder. His 25 goals in 36 games this season speak for themselves.” Then there is 18-year-old midfielder Marc Bernal. "Marc Bernal's exceptional talent was already known to many experts before he tore his cruciate ligament in 2024,” Blaseio said. After a year's break and many months of rehabilitation, he can now finally show that those observations were not made without reason. As a classic number 6 from La Masia, comparisons with Sergio Busquets are inevitable.” Bernal saw his market value increase by €20m to €30m.

LaLiga market values: Pape Gueye and Buchanan lead Villarreal charge – Antony upgraded

Villarreal are once again making a charge for a top-four finish, and that has led to several market value upgrades. Among them are Pape Gueye (+€20m to €40m), Alberto Moleiro (+€10m to €40m), and Canadian men’s national team winger Tajon Buchanan (+€2m to €12m). “Pape Gueye won the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time with Senegal in the winter and was able to promote himself very well there,” Blaseio said. “Gueye impresses with his physicality, aggressiveness, and ball-winning abilities in central midfield. Everything points towards another Champions League qualification for Villarreal.” That has also benefited Buchanan. “This season, he has fought his way up to more playing time and could be a star at the World Cup for his country.”

At Real Betis, in the meantime, former Ajax and Man United winger Antony continues to impress in Spain. "Antony has found a place in Seville where he has been able to fully demonstrate his abilities as a footballer,” Blaseio said. “He is now on track to match his best statistics from his time at Ajax, who subsequently sold him to Manchester United for nearly €100m, where he struggled to make an impact. In Seville, he is now a key player and a fan favorite, and at 26, he is in his prime as a footballer.” Antony saw his market value increase from €30m to €40m, his highest evaluation in his career since August 2023.

Another former Premier League winger is also looking to rekindle his career in Spain: Ademola Lookman. And early indications are the Nigerian forward is about to do just that. "Lookman has coped well with his immediate cold start at Atlético and has been able to show straight away why €40 million is being invested in him,” Blaseio said. “With his explosiveness, he can be an important factor at Atlético, but he also has the required pressing quality and ability to win the ball back, which coach Simeone fundamentally expects in his system.” Lookman saw his market value increase by €5m to €40m.

Spain market values: Swedberg is a “truly exciting profile”

Away from the traditional big clubs, 22-year-old Swedish forward Williot Swedberg (+€5m to €15m) at Celta de Vigo has truly stood out. "Swedberg has a truly exciting profile as a football player and seems to be the talk of his club in almost every transfer window, as he repeatedly attracts interest from various leagues, but so far, there has been no offer that has convinced Celta,” Blaseio said. The Swede is always good for special moments on the pitch, with his brace of two dream goals against Real Madrid attracting particular attention. He is a player who has taken further positive steps in his development this season, but one who can be expected to show even more potential. It will therefore be exciting to see whether he will be a transfer target again in the summer."

One of Swedberg’s teammates is the biggest winner by percentage in this market value update: Miguel Román. The 23-year-old midfielder saw his market value increase by 500% from €2.5m to €15m. Other big winners of the upgrade include Levante’s Paco Cortés (+233.3% from €300,000 to €1m), Sevilla’s Oso (150% from €2m to €5m), and Real Betis’ Álvaro Valles (+140% from €2.5m to €6m).

How Transfermarkt market values work

The Transfermarkt market values are calculated, taking into account various pricing models. A major factor is the Transfermarkt community, whose members discuss and evaluate player market values in detail. In general, the Transfermarkt market values are not to be equated with transfer fees.

The goal is not to predict a price but an expected value of a player in a free market. Both individual transfer modalities and situational conditions are relevant in determining market values. Examples of this are listed below. Transfermarkt does not use an algorithm (you can find the detailed market value definition here).