Market values Belgium: U21 Euro champion Nmecha up - Onuachu closes in on Lang

With the end of the season, Transfermarkt.be has updated the market values of the Belgian Jupiler Pro League. While there is no change at the very top, where Noa Lang remains first, two German U21 European Championship winners have seen their market values go up. 

Lukas Nmecha won the golden boot at the tournament with four goals, his market value grows from €8 million to now €12 million. But it was not just his performances at the U21 Euros that increased his market value, he also had a strong season in Belgium. The RSC Anderlecht striker was the top goalscorer at his club scoring 14 goals in 31 games. Les Mauves et Blancs would like to sign the 22-year-old loanee from Manchester City on a full-time deal. His latest performances, however, have meant that other clubs are also interested in the striker. 

Among the winners of the update is also Niklas Dorsch. The defensive midfielder's new market value is €8 million. His market value increase is the result of the just-finished U21 European Championship because at KAA Gent he was no longer among the regular starters towards the end of the season. Signed for €3.5 million from Heidenheim, the 23-year-old could be sold at the end of the season. French champions LOSC Lille are working on the transfer. 

Fifth upgrade in a row for Lang - Brugge with the most valuable squad

Lang received his fifth market value upgrade in a row, this time he goes up by €2 million to now €22 million. The winger is a major reason why Brugge have defended first place among the most valuable squads in the league. "Brugge have been very consistent over the last few years," Area Manager Bart Tamsyn said. "This is their second league title in a row, the fourth in six years and they only just missed the quarterfinals in the Champions League." 

With an overall squad value of €136.25 million, Brugge are €20 million ahead of KRC Genk and over €40 million ahead of Anderlecht. Brugge not only have the most valuable player in the league but also in Noah Mbamba (+€300,000 to €800,000) the most valuable player born in 2005.

Genk's striker Paul Onuachu has closed the gap to Lang. "Onuachu has scored 33 goals this season and was his club's most important player and, as a result, sees his market value go up by €3 million to now €20 million," Tamsyn said. Ten players at the club saw their market value go up. Among them are Theo Bongonda (+€2m to €11m), Daniel Muñoz (+€2m to €8m), Kristian Thorstvedt (+€3.5m to €8m) and Maarten Vandevoordt (+€2.5m to €4m). Genk are, therefore, the biggest winners of the market value update and break through the €100m barrier (from €97.3m to €116.1m).

Strikers Henry and Ugbo in demand - Talents in the spotlight

Young talents and strikers, in general, saw their market values upgraded. "That is a trend that we have seen in the Jupiler Pro League for some years now," Tamsyn said. "Among the first category is Anouar Ait El Hadj (Anderlecht), he was upgraded by €2.8 million to €6 million, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, he goes up by €3 million to €5 million and Hugo Siquet (both Standard Liege), who saw his market value rise from €3.2 million to €5 million." Among strikers Oud-Heverlee Leuven's Thomas Henry (from €3.5m to €5m) and Cercle Brugge's Ike Ugbo (from €2.5m to €4.5m) saw their market value improve—both are being heavily scouted by foreign clubs. 

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).