Premier League clubs boast a wealth of elite talent, with a record £2.36billion spent on new signings this summer alone.
Big money was spent on a host of new signings, including one of the most expensive defenders ever. But just how much are the Premier League's best defenders worth?Well, The Football Observatory has the answers.
When ranking players' value, they take a wide range of factors into account: age, contract length, form and so on. And while many of the Premier League's biggest names have made it into the top 10, the likes of Virgil van Dijk and John Stones are conspicuous by their absence. Here, Mirror Football gives you the rundown on the most valuable defenders...
10. Diogo Dalot - Manchester United (€60million/£51.8m)
One of the most surprising names on the list, Dalot's value is seemingly boosted by the fact he signed a new five-year contract with an option of a further year back in May. One of just three full-backs on the list, the 24-year-old has become a regular at Old Trafford six years after he first joined the club from Porto for £19m.
Then United boss Jose Mourinho said Dalot was the "best full-back in Europe" in his age group, but the versatile defender is yet to hit the heights expected of him when he initially signed as a teenager.
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9. Reece James - Chelsea (€60million/£51.8m)
The new Chelsea captain, James is one of the best right-backs in the world when fit and Blues boss Mauricio Poechettino will be desperate for him to be back in action soon with the 23-year-old currently sidelined by a hamstring injury.
James is valued at £51.8m, with his age and contract length helping to boost that figure given he signed a six-year deal with Chelsea last year that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2028.
8. Trent Alexander-Arnold - Liverpool (€80million/£69.1m)
Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of just three full-backs on the list (Getty Images)The final full-back on the list and the only other home-grown star after James, Alexander-Arnold is valued at £69.1m. An excellent attacking right-back who has also played in midfield, the 24-year-old is also viewed as one of the best in the world.
Since making his Liverpool debut back in 2016, Alexander-Arnold has lifted plenty of silverware including the Premier League and the Champions League. He is currently under contract with the Reds until 2025, but recent reports state that talks have begun over a new deal.
7. Axel Disasi - Chelsea (€80million/£69.1m)
One of a number of new faces at Chelsea this season, Disasi is also valued at £69.1m following his move from Monaco. The 25-year-old signed a bumper six-year deal with the Blues and has started every game so far this season.
6. Manuel Akanji - Manchester City (€80million/£69.1m)
Signed for just £15m last summer after he entered the final year of his contract with Borussia Dortmund, Akanji went on to make 48 appearances for Manchester City last season as they won a historic Treble.
That was more than any other defender at the club and, with the 28-year-old under contract until 2027, it is not much of a surprise to see the Swiss international in a prominent position on this list.
5. Gabriel Magalhaes - Arsenal (€80million/£69.1m)
Gabriel Magalhaes has impressed since joining Arsenal from Lille in 2020 (Clive Rose/Getty)Having been surprisingly benched for Arsenal's first two games of the new season, Gabriel is now back starting regularly after rekindling his successful partnership with William Saliba in the Gunners' 3-1 win over Manchester United earlier this month.
Having been signed from Lille in 2020, the Brazil international has during his time at the Emirates and signed a new long-term deal last September that will reportedly keep him at the club until 2027.
4. Ibrahima Konate - Liverpool (€80million/£69.1m)
Now into his third season at Liverpool since making the move from RB Leipzig in 2021, Konate is another centre-back valued at £69.1m. The 24-year-old has helped the Reds win the FA Cup and the League Cup and reach a Champions League final.
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3. William Saliba - Arsenal (€80million/£69.1m)
William Saliba enjoyed a breakout season last year (Pedro Soares/SPP/REX/Shutterstock)Despite joining Arsenal from Saint-Etienne in 2019, it took until last season for Saliba to enjoy his breakout campaign at the Emirates. After three separate loan spells back in France, the 22-year-old played a crucial role in the Gunners' Premier League title bid which fell apart after he suffered an injury.
Saliba extended his Arsenal contract until 2028 over the summer and believes he can "maybe one day become the best defender in the world" after taking inspiration from Liverpool star Van Dijk.
2. Ruben Dias - Manchester City (€80million/£69.1m)
One of the best centre-backs in world football, Dias played a crucial role in City's Treble triumph last season. A mainstay under Pep Guardiola ever since joining the club from Benfica in 2020, the 26-year-old is under contract until 2027.
1. Josko Gvardiol - Manchester City (€100million/£86.4m)
An unsurprising name at number one on the list given he became the second-most expensive defender in the world when City forked out £77m to sign Gvardiol from RB Leipzig this summer.
That fee is only eclipsed by the £80m United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019 and Gvardiol has already impressed, with Guardiola convinced the hefty price tag is "not a problem" for the 21-year-old.
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