4 hours ago
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182 players updated
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Here at Transfermarkt, we have adjusted the market values of 182 players in the latest Championship intermediate market value update this March. Incredibly, the English second-flight is actually the sixth most valuable league in world football, only behind Europe's top-five leagues. It's one of the most entertaining and unpredictable divisions in world football, as teams battle it out for an exclusive place in the riches of the Premier League.
Among the biggest winners of the update were Swansea City striker Žan Vipotnik, Middlesbrough winger Morgan Whittaker and Birmingham City new striker August Priske, whilst there were further increases for star players such as Hayden Hackney and Abdul Fatawu. League leaders Coventry City rose the most in squad value, followed by second-placed Middlesbrough.
Hayden Hackney cements place at the top
Middlesbrough and former England U21 midfielder Hackney became the Championship MVP back in December after a +€5m rise to €25m, and this March his trajectory continues, rising by a further +€3m to a new figure of €28m. It means Hackney is worth €4m more than any other player in the division. The 23-year-old came close to joining Ipswich last summer and has had plenty of Premier League interest. He has also been pivotal to Boro's campaign which currently sees them in the automatic promotion places.
The second most valuable player in the Championship is Leicester winger Fatawu. Despite the Foxes currently being in the relegation zone (partly due to a points deduction), 21-year-old Fatawu has enjoyed a stellar individual campaign and sees his value rise by +€4m to €24m. The Ghanaian has 15 Championship goal contributions and has dazzled opponents at times with his skill and flair. Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Leif Davis are the third and fourth most valuable players respectively after both remaining at €20m. There are then as many as 10 players worth €18m.
Žan Vipotnik the biggest winner
Slovenian striker Vipotnik has enjoyed an unbelievable breakthrough campaign and is currently the top goalscorer in the Championship, having netted 16 times for Swansea. The 1.85 metre striker arrived on a free transfer from Bordeaux in 2024 and managed just seven league goals in his initial season in English football. But he has exploded this term and is already being linked with a move to top Championship clubs and even some Premier League teams.
The other biggest winners include Middlesbrough's Whittaker (+€6m to €16m), Birmingham forward Priske (+€5.4m to €7m), Hull attacker Joe Gelhardt (+€5m to €10m), Boro keeper Sol Brynn (+€4.5m to €7m), and Norwich talent Jovon Makama (+€4.5m to €6m). The biggest individual loser from the update in terms of market value was West Brom striker Josh Maja, who saw his value decrease by -€3m to €4m. As many as 17 further players dropped by -€2m, including Ipswich's Sandre Walle Egeli (new value: €18m) and Norwich and USA striker Josh Sargent (new value: €18m).
Coventry & Middlesbrough with biggest squad value increases
When it comes to squad value changes, unsurprisingly the two biggest increases came to the sides currently in the top two. Leaders Coventry saw their squad value rise by +€29m to a new figure of €194m. Only Ipswich (€199m) now have a higher squad value in the Championship. Meanwhile, second-placed Middlesbrough's squad market value increased by +€23m to a new figure of €128m, which now makes them the sixth most valuable club in the league.
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).
