Barcelona duo continue to experience decline in market value after injury ordeals

Barcelona duo continue to experience decline in market value after injury ordeals The latest market values published by Transfermarkt reveal two major fallers in the FC Barcelona squad. Midfielders Gavi and Frenkie de Jong have gone from being two of the most highly valued midfielders in world football to €25 million each, a figure neither had reached for many years. Both players have followed a similar trajectory in recent seasons. Once key figures for Barça and regulars on the biggest European nights, they have now taken on much more secondary roles in midfield. Their loss of prominence has also been reflected in their market values. Gavi’s serious knee injury halted his rise Gavi’s decline has a clear explanation. His serious ACL injury in November 2023 brought the rapid progression of a player who appeared destined to become one of Barcelona’s defining figures to an abrupt halt. Gavi’s market value over time (Courtesy: Transfermarkt) The Andalusian midfielder broke into the first team at just 17 and made an immediate impact. He also made his Spain debut, while his market value continued to rise. After being valued at €25 million during his first months in senior football, Gavi climbed all the way to €90 million by the end of 2022, the highest figure of his career. The injury came just as he reached the peak of his valuation. Gavi remained valued at €90 million for several months, but his return proved more complicated than expected. Persistent discomfort and the difficulty of securing a regular place in the team led to successive decreases in his market value. He has now reached the lowest valuation of his career. His current €25 million, falling from €30 million in the previous update, is exactly the same figure he was valued at when he was only beginning to establish himself in professional football. De Jong has failed to recover his peak value Frenkie de Jong’s case is different. The Dutchman has experienced repeated rises and falls since joining Barcelona, although he has never managed to maintain his maximum valuation for a prolonged period. The former Ajax midfielder reached €90 million on three occasions, in 2019, 2021 and early 2023. Those peaks coincided with some of his best periods since arriving at Barcelona, but each increase was followed by another decline. De Jong’s market value over the years (Courtesy: Transfermarkt.com) The first took him from €90 million to €65 million. The second saw his valuation fall from €90 million to €50 million. The latest drop has been even more significant, as his market value has bottomed at €25 million from €90 million in 2023. To find a valuation this low in De Jong’s career, it is necessary to go back to his early years at Ajax. The midfielder arrived at Barcelona as one of European football’s biggest talents, but has now lost €65 million in market value since reaching his most recent peak. The Dutchman is yet to play a single game this season, having returned from the World Cup with an injury, and has only recently resumed training with the group . Once he does receive full clearance, game-time will not be easy, considering that Pedri, Rodri, and Marc Bernal have all impressed.