CIES transfer values: Mbappe worth €259M, Messi not in top 20

The CIES Football Observatory released its latest rankings of the current transfer values for players across Europe's top five leagues.

An advanced CIES algorithm factors in previous transfer fees, age, the remaining length of a player's current contract, and other data to determine a market rate.

Even with the COVID-19 pandemic casting uncertainty on the upcoming summer transfer window, the CIES appraises Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe at €259.2 million, smashing the standing world-record €222 million shelled out for club teammate Neymar in 2017.

The top-10 list is rife with intriguing evaluations.

Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi, 33, has tumbled from the top 20 and is priced at €100.1 million - €1.4 million less than 21-year-old Chelsea attacking midfielder Mason Mount.

Mount is one of six England internationals to make the top 20, with Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Marcus Rashord rounding out the top five.

Manchester United's Paul Pogba, 27, is valued at €2.4 million less than €53-million rated Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, who in September 2019 was called up to the France squad in Pogba's absence. Pogba's €50.6-million appraisal is also half that of Red Devils mate Bruno Fernandes, 25, whose €104.9-million stock lands him 17th on the list.

Elsewhere, Bayern Munich's Canadian teen talent Alphonso Davies (€133.5M) is the youngest player in the top 20 at the No. 9 spot, and 35-year-old Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo (€62.8) is the oldest player in the top 100, landing at No. 70 on the list.

Overall, 22 players plying their trades in Europe's top five leagues were valued at €100 million or more by the CIES.