Chelsea are perhaps the most famous example and after seasons of distributing their fringe players across the continent, they’ve been forced into a mass recall in the wake of their transfer ban.
And worth is a key word, because the more readily that squad members are loaned out, the more inevitable it becomes that players with high transfer values are stuck in limbo.
The most applicable example right now is Philippe Coutinho who, despite dropping in worth during his time at Barcelona, is currently a loan player who could probably demand astronomical fees.
15.Alphonse Areola (Real Madrid)
On loan from: Paris Saint-Germain
Transfer value: €28.1 million
14.Ante Rebic (AC Milan)
On loan from: Eintracht Frankfurt
Transfer value: €28.3 million
13.Ivan Perisic (Bayern Munich)
On loan from: Inter Milan
Transfer value: €29.3 million
12.Andre Silva (Eintracht Frankfurt)
On loan from: AC Milan
Transfer value: €30.2 million
11.Tiemoue Bakayoko (AS Monaco)
On loan from: Chelsea
Transfer value: €33.3 million
10.William Saliba (Saint-Etienne)
On loan from: Arsenal
Transfer value: €35.1 million
9.Dean Henderson (Sheffield United)
On loan from: Manchester United
Transfer value: €37.8 million
8.Achraf Hakimi (Borussia Dortmund)
On loan from: Real Madrid
Transfer value: €39.0 million
7.Stefano Sensi (Inter Milan)
On loan from: Sassuolo
Transfer value: €42.1 million
6.Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
On loan from: Sampdoria
Transfer value: €47.3 million
5.Mauro Icardi (Paris Saint-Germain)
On loan from: Inter Milan
Transfer value: €50.8 million
4.Harry Wilson (Bournemouth)
On loan from: Liverpool
Transfer value: €54.0 million
3.Martin Odegaard (Real Socieded)
On loan from: Real Madrid
Transfer value: €57.3 million
2.Daniel Ceballos (Arsenal)
On loan from: Real Madrid
Transfer value: €65.7 million
1.Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich)
On loan from: Barcelona
Transfer value: €96.5 million
Two Real loanees roll in at second and third place, while the most valuable Premier League export comes in the form of Liverpool’s Harry Wilson at a much higher valuation than expected.
Manchester United even have a player on their books in the top ten after Henderson’s brilliant start at Sheffield United, before Chelsea and Arsenal make some cameos shortly afterwards.