A fresh set of updated player transfer values has been released, and it makes for fascinating reading, especially when looking at the contrasting positions of Alexander Isak and Nick Woltemade. The new figures offer a clear snapshot of how quickly perceptions, performances, and long-term planning can influence a player’s worth in the modern game.
Newcastle United made headlines at the end of the last transfer window by selling Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a huge £130 million. It was a deal that reshaped Newcastle’s squad and forced the club into decisive action.
With both Isak and the injury-prone Callum Wilson no longer reliable options, the Magpies moved quickly to rebuild their attack. Yoane Wissa arrived from Brentford to add experience and energy, while the club also committed heavily to the future by signing Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart for £65 million, with a further £4.3 million potentially due in add-ons.
Now, just a few months later, the latest report from the CIES Football Observatory has added a new layer to that story. The January 2026 edition of their global transfer value update assesses players across the world using a detailed statistical model. All values are listed in euros and reflect the situation as of 6 January 2026.
According to CIES, Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal remains the most valuable player in world football, with an estimated value of €343 million, which is roughly £297 million.
Despite his young age, his influence and consistency keep him ahead of proven stars like Erling Haaland, valued at €255 million, and Kylian Mbappé at €201 million. It underlines how much age, potential, and trajectory matter in today’s market.
The model used by CIES takes into account several key factors. These include a player’s age, contract length, injury history, recent and long-term performances, and the general direction their career appears to be heading. It is not just about reputation or transfer fees paid in the past, but about what a player is likely to deliver going forward.
The report also highlights how quickly things can change at the very top. Jude Bellingham, who led the rankings last January, has now dropped to fourth with a value of €153 million.
He still sits ahead of high-profile names like Michael Olise and Florian Wirtz, while the top ten is rounded out by exciting talents such as Désiré Doué, João Neves, Arda Güler, and Pedri. It is a list that blends youth, form, and long-term promise.
When the focus narrows to the Premier League alone, the contrast between Woltemade and Isak becomes even more striking. Woltemade, who will still have five full years left on his Newcastle contract by June 2026, is now seen as one of the most valuable players in the division.
At just 24 years old in February, his peak years are still ahead of him, which heavily boosts his valuation.
According to CIES, Woltemade is currently the fifth most valuable player in the Premier League, with an estimated transfer value of €120.5 million, around £104 million. This reflects not only his contract security and age, but also his growing influence on the pitch for both club and country. Newcastle’s decision to invest early is already being justified in the numbers.
In contrast, Alexander Isak now sits just 16th in the Premier League rankings for transfer value. This is despite Liverpool paying a record-breaking fee for him only four months ago. CIES currently value Isak at €95 million, which is roughly £82 million, a figure well below the price Liverpool paid to secure his signature.
On the global stage, the gap is similar. Woltemade ranks 15th in the world for transfer value, while Isak has slipped to 29th. It is a sharp reminder that transfer fees do not guarantee lasting value, especially when age, contract length, and future outlook are factored in.
Perhaps the most amusing detail for Newcastle supporters is that Isak is now valued significantly lower than his Liverpool teammate Hugo Ekitike. Ekitike sits fourth among Premier League players with a valuation of €124.1 million, meaning four Liverpool players currently rank above Isak in estimated value.
These figures do not tell the whole story, but they do offer a revealing insight into how the football market views risk, potential, and long-term planning.
For Newcastle, the numbers suggest they may have timed their moves perfectly, while the shifting values of Isak and Woltemade underline just how quickly the landscape can change.
