From Rags to Gold: Top 20 Highest Paid Players in Premier League

There was a time when football was played for passion only, with unwavering loyalty towards the beautiful sport. But gone are the days when making money in football was one of the most difficult things for the players. The modern football landscape is now a money-making industry where multi-million dollar deals are offered to even U-16 footballers. The substantial amount of money football stars earn every year is enough to blow our minds.

Unlike before, footballers have transformed themselves into better players, but also into financial titans. Especially, for those who are playing in the top five football leagues in the world, the English Premier League is in the first position to pay the most amount in wage bills to their players. Manchester City, who boast great players in their ranks, are also one of the biggest spenders in the English top flight. In the last 5 years, teams such as Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea spent billions of dollars in buying big players from the market. And this process has seen several horse-tradings in the transfer market as well.

Amid the emergence of leagues such as the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer (MLS), European clubs have faced immense difficulty in keeping the star footballers in their leagues. Promises of lucrative endorsements worth millions have seen players moving to the Middle East or the USA. It leaving their chances of embracing footballing royalty in Europe.

Since Neymar Jr’s transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, the transfer market has seen an abnormal rise in price tags set on players. As a result, football clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, etc have been compelled to offer an astounding amount in wages to keep the experienced and talented stars in Europe.

The biggest challenge the Premier League faced before and after the recently concluded transfer window arrived from the east in the form of SPL backed by the financial might of the PIF. Due to this, big stars such as Kevin de Bruyne, Marcos Rashford, and Virgil Van Dijk renewed their contracts earlier this year which made them top earners in the Premier League. De Bruyne is currently the highest paid player in Premier League.

The list of renewals in this fashion is long as the clubs are offering higher wages to renowned names. Despite the introduction of the likes of the Saudi Pro League and MLS to club football, the Premier League remains one of the most financially strong leagues in the world. In this article, we’ll see which players have made the list of the top 20 highest paid player in Premier League.

List of Top 20 Highest Paid Player in Premier League

20) Rodrigo (Man City) – €11.4 million

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, Rodri or Rodrigo finds himself in the 20th position in the table. The Spanish midfielder earns €11.4 million annually for his services at Man City.

19) Phil Foden (Man City) – €11.7 million

The English midfielder, Phil Foden has been a key player for Man City since his debut for the club in English Premier League. The promising signing has already become one of the highest paid premier league players with €11.7 million annual wage.

18) Ilkay Gundogan (Man City) – €11.9 million

The German midfielder had rejoined Man City from FC Barcelona in 202 and has performed well for the club. He earns around €11.9 million annual paycheck at Man City making him one of the top earners in the league.

17) Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) – €12.4 million

The young midfielder from Real Madrid, who was at Emirates Stadium on a loan deal. He has recently moved to the English club permanently. The Gunners spend around €12.4 million for this captain every year.

16) Declan Rice (Arsenal) – €12.4 million

The talented young defensive midfielder turned down a contract renewal at West Ham United. He went on to sign for Arsenal with a €12.4 million annual salary.

15) Bruno Fernandes (Man United) – €12.4 million

The Portuguese attacking midfielder is the captain of the Red Devils and a key player for Erik ten Hag. His annual salary of €12.4 million makes him one of the highest earners in the English top flight.

14) Reece James (Chelsea) – €13 million

The Blues are the biggest spenders in the Premier League during the 2022-23 season. With big players around, James has been a great revelation for Chelsea in recent times. The right-back currently earns around €13 million per year.

13) Mason Mount (Manchester United) – €13 million

Following an impressive stint at Stamford Bridge, the versatile midfielder joined Manchester United in 2023. His recent contract offers him an annual salary of €13 million which will expire in 2028.

12) John Stones (Man City) – €13 million

The English centre-back joined the Citizens on a deal worth €50 million which made him the second-most expensive defender in history at that time. The city pays around €13 million annually for his service.

11) Jadon Sancho (Chelsea) – €13 million

The English forward is well-known for his quickness, trickery, and a vault full of skills. However, it doesn’t stop him from earning €13 million annually from the club.

10) Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal) €13.7 million

The Brazilian is the second Gunner who breaks into the top 20 highest-paid Premier League players list in 2024. The clinical striker’s annual salary is around €13.7 million.

9) Kai Havertz (Arsenal) – €14.5 million

Since Mikel Arteta’s takeover as the manager of Arsenal, the club became one of the big spenders in the English top flight. The German attacker receives an annual salary worth €14.5 million from the Gunners.

8) Marcus Rashford (Man United) – €15.6 million

United manager Erik ten Hag convinced the forward to sign a new five-year deal last year. An improved wage structure was added to his new contract which saw him earn €15.6 million per year.

7) Jack Grealish (Man City) – €15.6 million

The left-winger came into the limelight when he signed a contract with the Manchester-based outfit. Pep Guardiola’s side writes a paycheck worth €15.6 million every year to the English attacker.

6) Bernardo Silva (Man City) – €15.6 million

The city midfielder is regarded as one of the most underrated players in club football. But, to continue getting his service, Citizens spend €15.6 million annually. It makes him one of the highest paid player in the Premier League.

5) Raheem Sterling (Arsenal) – €16.9 million

The versatile winger made a fortune following his move to Stamford Bridge from Man City. Sterling receives an annual payment worth €16.9 million, making him the highest-paid Premier League player.

4) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – €18.2 million

The attacking superstar of the Reds comes fourth in the list of making money. Liverpool pay around €18.2 million to the Egyptian for his service. He is one the top earners in Liverpool and Premier League.

3) Carlos Casemiro (Manchester United) – €18.2 million

The Brazilian joined Manchester United in 2022 for a transfer deal worth €70.6 million. A four-year deal ensures that the former Real Madrid midfielder will continue to earn €18.2 million every year till 2026. He is also on the list of highest paid footballers in the premier league.

2) Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) – €20.8 million

The midfield maestro signed a contract extension in 2021 that will keep him at Etihad till 2025. His new deal with City made him the highest-paid footballer in Premier League 2024, with a whopping €20.8 million annually coming into his account. He remains the highest-paid player in the Premier League.

1) Erling Haaland (Man City) – €50 million

The most promising forward of this decade claims the second spot as the highest-paid player in EPL, having earned £ 45,500,000 per year with City by signing new contract extension he has surpassed Kevin De Bruyne to became the highest paid Player in the EPL.

Source (Net Worth): Sky Football