Premier League’s Elite: Unpacking the League’s Highest Earners Amidst Saka’s New Deal
The Premier League’s financial landscape is constantly shifting, and this week has seen a significant shake-up at the very top of the earnings charts. Arsenal’s young star Bukayo Saka has put pen to paper on a lucrative new contract, propelling him to the pinnacle of the Gunners’ wage bill and making him one of the league’s highest-paid players.
Saka’s fresh deal is reportedly worth in excess of £300,000 per week, a figure that eclipses his teammate Kai Havertz, who is understood to be on £280,000 per week. However, even this substantial sum pales in comparison to the astronomical wages commanded by Manchester City’s prolific striker, Erling Haaland. Haaland currently leads the Premier League pack with a staggering £525,000 per week, a contract widely considered to be the most significant in the league’s history.
This latest development prompts a closer look at the financial titans of the Premier League. Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 highest earners, offering a glimpse into the immense financial power wielded by some of the league’s most influential players. It’s important to note that while these figures are based on independent sourcing, some represent approximations rather than exact contractual details.
The Top Earners: A Star-Studded Lineup
1. Erling Haaland (Manchester City): £525,000 per week
The 24-year-old Norwegian sensation has been an absolute game-changer since arriving from the Bundesliga in 2022. Haaland didn’t just adapt to the Premier League; he conquered it, shattering goal-scoring records with 36 goals in a single season and becoming the fastest player to reach 100 goals for a club, achieving this remarkable feat in just 111 appearances. His impact extends beyond domestic competitions, having already contributed to seven trophies in just over three seasons, including a pivotal role in Manchester City’s historic treble-winning campaign in his debut season. His prowess in the Champions League is equally astonishing, where he became the quickest player to score 30 goals. In recognition of his unparalleled talent, the club secured his future with a groundbreaking nine-and-a-half-year contract, the longest ever seen in the Premier League, effectively quashing any immediate speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
2. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): £400,000 per week
The “Egyptian King” has been an indispensable asset to Liverpool for nearly eight years, repaying the club’s faith with an impressive haul of eight major trophies. Salah’s contract situation was a major talking point last season, with the 33-year-old winger himself hinting at a potential departure. However, in April, he committed his future to Arne Slot’s side, signing a two-year extension that will keep him at Anfield until 2027. Despite a turbulent period where he expressed feeling “thrown under the bus” by Slot, his return to form and goal-scoring after the AFCON tournament has silenced any doubts about his continued commitment and importance to the Reds. His recent penalty against Brighton underscored his enduring impact.
3. Casemiro (Manchester United): £350,000 per week
The experienced Brazilian midfielder, a five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, arrived at Manchester United in 2022 on a highly scrutinised, substantial deal. The club’s new custodians, Ineos, are reportedly looking to move away from such high-cost contracts for veteran players. The 33-year-old is reportedly entering the final stages of his United career, having announced his intention for this season to be his last. Despite this, Casemiro remains a crucial figure in United’s midfield, demonstrating remarkable resilience and influence after a challenging second season.
4. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool): £350,000 per week
The commanding Liverpool captain, 34, has been a cornerstone of the team’s defence during his highly successful tenure on Merseyside. His trophy cabinet boasts a Premier League title, a Champions League, an FA Cup, two League Cups, and further continental and global honours. Van Dijk joined Liverpool in January 2018 for a then-world-record fee for a defender. Like his teammate Salah, his contract was set to expire, but he too signed a two-year extension in April, maintaining his significant wage packet.
5. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal): £300,000 per week
The prodigious English winger has cemented his status as Arsenal’s highest earner following his recent five-year contract extension. The 24-year-old, now tied to his boyhood club until 2031, is expected to earn close to £80 million over the course of this new deal. An academy product, Saka has been instrumental in Arsenal’s recent title challenges, amassing an impressive tally of 40 league goals and 54 in all competitions since the start of the 2022 season. This new contract is expected to provide a significant confidence boost as he navigates crucial club fixtures and prepares for international duty.
6. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United): £300,000 per week
The influential Manchester United captain, 31, has been the team’s standout performer since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon in 2020. Fernandes has consistently delivered goals and assists, accumulating 104 goals and 99 assists in 315 appearances. His captaincy, bestowed upon him in July 2023, highlights his leadership qualities. The future of the Portuguese playmaker has been a subject of speculation, particularly following the departure of his close compatriot, Ruben Amorim. With Casemiro set to depart, Fernandes is poised to become the club’s highest earner.
7. Omar Marmoush (Manchester City): £295,000 per week
The Egyptian forward joined Manchester City on a four-and-a-half-year deal in January of last year, having impressed at Eintracht Frankfurt where he was the Bundesliga’s second-highest scorer behind Harry Kane. Manager Pep Guardiola views the 26-year-old as more of a striker than a traditional winger, a role that sees him often competing with Haaland for a starting spot. Marmoush recently netted his first Premier League goal during a period of reduced output from Haaland, earning praise from Guardiola for his dynamism and goal-scoring instinct.
8. Alexander Isak (Liverpool): £280,000 per week
The transfer saga surrounding the Swedish striker’s potential move from Newcastle to Liverpool dominated the summer transfer window, culminating in his signing for a British record fee of £125 million on deadline day. The 26-year-old forward, who had been on strike at Newcastle, has seemingly faced challenges adapting this season due to a lack of pre-season game time. A broken leg sustained after scoring against Tottenham has ruled him out for the remainder of the season, a significant blow for both the player and the club.
9. Kai Havertz (Arsenal): £280,000 per week
Havertz made a high-profile £65 million move from Chelsea to Arsenal in the summer of 2023, a transfer that initially raised eyebrows. However, the 24-year-old has since proven his doubters wrong, contributing 31 goals and 15 assists in 94 appearances. His primary challenge appears to be maintaining his fitness, having endured spells on the sidelines due to knee and hamstring injuries.
10. Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal): £265,000 per week
The Brazilian forward joined Arsenal in 2022 after a highly successful five-and-a-half-year stint at Manchester City, where he secured multiple Premier League titles and domestic cups. Since arriving in North London, Jesus has been hampered by persistent knee injuries, leading to extended periods out of action. He recently returned in December after an 11-month layoff due to an ACL injury and has since scored five goals. When fit, the 28-year-old is a valuable asset, and his continued availability could prove crucial for Arsenal’s title aspirations in the coming weeks.
