The football world is changing, and so are the values of the game's top players. That's also true at Real Madrid, who have been placing their trust in younger players over the last couple of seasons.
That is now seen in their current squad, where players like Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard have seen their market value drop.
Now, according to Transfermarkt, Fede Valverde and Raphael Varane are Los Blancos' two most highly valued outfield players at 70 million euros each. Thibaut Courtois tops the lot at 75 million euros.
Hazard, despite costing the club 100 million euros just over a year ago, has seen his value fall to 60m euros, leaving the Belgian behind Casemiro's 65m euros.
It's Valverde who deserves the most attention though, having arrived for just five million euros. During his time at Deportivo La Coruna, back in December 2018, Valverde had a value of six million euros, meaning his value has multiplied by almost 12 times in two years.
Six months ago, the Uruguayan was the fourth most expensive player at Madrid, with Hazard still top at 80 million euros. Casemiro (64m) and Fede (54m) were next, but Valverde's value has kept increasing.
That rise has been reflected in footballing terms as well, with him now capable of challenging the old guard of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric for a place in Zinedine Zidane's XI. His regularity with the Uruguayan national team is also a factor.
High release clause, but a not so high salary
Real Madrid knew his price was raising, so they renewed his contract until 2025 with a 500 million euro release clause, although he earns just 2.2 million euros net per year.
Valverde is grateful for the trust Madrid had in him as a 16-year-old, so he was happy to renew at the club.
Real Madrid's most expensive players, according to Transfermarkt.
Courtois: 75 million euros
Valverde: 70 million euros
Varane: 70 million euros
Casemiro: 65 million euros
Hazard: 60 million euros
Vinicius: 50 million euros
Kroos: 50 million euros
Odegaard: 45 million euros
Rodrygo: 45 million euros
Militao: 40 million euros
Mendy: 40 million euros
Asensio: 40 million euros
Source: m.allfootballapp.com