CIES: Ndidi Is Sixth Most Valuable African Player Behind Liverpool, Arsenal Stars

Published: June 04, 2018

Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has been rated the most valuable Nigerian player ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

The CIES Football Observatory research group has published a list of the hundred most valuable players in world football, with the Super Eagles midfielder occupying the 79th position.

The Neuchâtel, Switzerland-based organization has recommended that clubs interested in the signature of the Foxes number 25 should be prepared to cough up €62.7 million (approximately N26.2 billion) for his services.

At 171.3 million euros, Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah is the most valuable African player in the top five European Leagues and ranked fifth overall, followed by Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who is valued at €95.6 million and Senegal star Sadio Mane (€91.6m).

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane (€201.2 million) is the most expensive player in the world, ahead of two Paris St-Germain players, Neymar (€197.5 m) and Kylian Mbappé (€186.5 m).

Atlético Madrid's Saúl ñíguez is the most expensive defensive midfielder at €100.5 million, Kevin de Bruyne (box-to-box midfielders, €167.2 m) and Dele Alli (attacking midfielders, €171.0 m).

Top Seven Most Valuable African Players

1) Mohamed Salah - Liverpool - €171.3 million

2) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - Arsenal - €95.6 million

3) Sadio Mane - Liverpool - €91.6 million

4) Naby Keita - Liverpool - €68.7 million

5) Kalidou Koulibaly - Napoli - €67 million

6) Wilfred Ndidi - Leicester City - €62.7 million

7) Franck Kessié - AC Milan - €62.1 million

Ifeanyi Emmanuel