Bundesliga market values: Kolo Muani continues ascent - Bayern flop Mané drops again

When Sadio Mané joined Bayern Munich one year ago, he had a market value of €70m, significantly ahead of Randal Kolo Muani—now the roles have flipflopped. While the Eintracht Frankfurt striker has been one of the biggest stars of the Bundesliga season, Bayern’s Senegalese winger can only be described as a transfer flop. In fact, as part of the Transfermarkt Bundesliga market value update in which 497 players were adjusted, Bayern were the biggest loser. 

Kolo Muani received the biggest upgrade (+€15m to €80m). The French forward was fantastic after joining Frankfurt on a free transfer from Nantes last summer. “Signed as a relatively unknown player, Kolo Muani quickly emerged as the Bundesliga’s most productive player,” market value expert Julius Weißenstein said. “The striker has an interesting profile and is very much in demand, which means the next step is only a question of time.” 

Donyell Malen made the step to a bigger club in 2021 when he left PSV Eindhoven to join Borussia Dortmund. But the Dutch forward struggled when he first joined the club. Then, in 2023, he finally arrived and was involved in 14 goals directly, playing a big part in Dortmund’s title push. As a result, Malen saw his market value upgrade from €16m to €28m. The Dutchman has shown the sort of performances under head coach Edin Terzic that are expected of a player that cost €30m. 

Bellingham, Messi & Co. The top transfers already agreed for the 2023/24 season Click here for overview Despite Malen’s upgrade, Dortmund only saw their market value increase by €11.7m to €555.2m. That is because there have been eight downgrades—the biggest for Salih Özcan (-€4m to €13m). “After a good start, Özcan’s performances dropped and then he lost his place in the starting XI to Emre Can,” market value coordinator Tobias Kröger said. “It will be interesting to see whether he can regain his place or whether he will further drop in the midfield hierarchy.” Dortmund will have to compensate Jude Bellingham’s departure. The Englishman remains the most valuable player in the Bundesliga (€120m) but will leave for Real Madrid on July 1. 

11 Bayern players downgraded: Goretzka & Mané with the biggest minus

Bayern Munich’s squad value dropped by €70.7m. Mané (-€20m to €25m) and Leon Goretzka (-20m to €45m) had the biggest downgrades. While Mané was the total opposite of Kolo Muani, Goretzka too struggled all season and, as a result, his market value dropped significantly.

“Goretzka had a season to forget and was criticized for his performances for both Bayern and also the national team,” Kröger said. “Long gone is his dominance from the treble season when he and Joshua Kimmich formed a strong midfield together. Now he is a candidate for the bench for the new season.” But Kimmich too dropped (-€5m to €75m)—he is one of 11 Bayern players whose market value dropped. The list of Bayern players with an upgrade only has one name on it: Benjamin Pavard (+€5m to €40m).

Such is the case for compatriots Pavard and Lucas Hernández (-€5m to €45m), there are several rumors suggesting that Manu Koné (+€10m to €40m) could leave the Bundesliga. “Koné is one of the most talented central midfielders in the Bundesliga and Premier League clubs are interested,” Kröger said. “The mixture of technical abilities and his strength in one-on-one situations makes him an interesting player on the market. There is a good reason why Liverpool are willing to invest €40m for Koné.” The U21 national team player is now the most valuable player in Borussia Mönchengladbach’s squad. 

How Transfermarkt market values work

The Transfermarkt market values are calculated, taking into account various pricing models. A major factor is the Transfermarkt community, whose members discuss and evaluate player market values in detail. In general, the Transfermarkt market values are not to be equated with transfer fees. 

The goal is not to predict a price but an expected value of a player in a free market. Both individual transfer modalities and situational conditions are relevant in determining market values. Examples of this are listed below. Transfermarkt does not use an algorithm (you can find the detailed market value definition here).