William SalibaPlayer·William Saliba has etched his name into the record books, reaching an extraordinary market valuation of €100 million, a figure previously attained by only one other centre-back in Transfermarkt history. The French international's value surged by €20 million over the 2025/26 season, culminating in a recent €10 million increase during the June Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League market value update.
This achievement places Saliba in an elite category, sharing the distinction with Virgil van DijkPlayer·Virgil van Dijk, who reached the same valuation in 2019. Notably, Saliba has achieved this milestone at the age of 25, three years younger than Van Dijk was at the time, solidifying his status as the most valuable centre-back ever at his age.
Saliba's remarkable valuation is a direct reflection of his stellar performances during ArsenalTeam·Arsenal's highly successful 2025/26 campaign. The London club secured their fourth Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League title, ending a 22-year drought and marking their 14th English top-flight title in their 140-year history. ArsenalTeam·Arsenal finished atop the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League table with 85 points, boasting 26 wins, 7 draws, and 5 losses, which also secured their qualification for the 2026-27 Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League.
A cornerstone of ArsenalTeam·Arsenal's triumph was their formidable defensive record, widely regarded as a "European-leading defence." The team conceded a mere 27 goals in the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League, their lowest tally since Mikel Arteta assumed charge, and maintained a clean sheet in an impressive 50% of their matches. Saliba's partnership with GabrielPlayer·Gabriel Magalhães at the heart of the defence was instrumental, reaching new heights throughout the season.
Individually, William SalibaPlayer·William Saliba's contributions did not go unnoticed. He was deservedly named ArsenalTeam·Arsenal's Player of the Season for 2025/26, a testament to his consistent and impactful displays. His game was characterized by exceptional one-on-one defending combined with calm composure and adept ball-playing abilities. Saliba made 31 appearances in the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League during the season, contributing 1 goal to the team's efforts.
Beyond the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League, ArsenalTeam·Arsenal also demonstrated their competitive spirit by reaching the Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League final, where they finished as runners-up to Paris Saint-GermainTeam·Paris Saint-Germain, and were also EFL CupCompetition·EFL Cup runners-up. Saliba's consistent presence and defensive solidity were crucial across all competitions, underpinning the team's strong form, which included winning their last five consecutive Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League matches and remaining unbeaten in their last five overall.
This record-equaling market value not only highlights William SalibaPlayer·William Saliba's individual brilliance and rapid development but also underscores the significant impact he has had on ArsenalTeam·Arsenal's resurgence as a dominant force in English football.
Arsenal's William Saliba on the field. (Photo by Bradley Collyer/PA Images/IMAGO)
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