3. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Surprisingly, Manchester United might part company with Wayne Rooney this summer after the England striker is said to have submitted a transfer request at Old Trafford. The 27-year-old has been at the club for nine years and is almost certainly the most valuable English player since David Beckham. Having moved for close to £28million as an 18-year-old from Everton, he has gone on to enjoy immense success at one of the world’s biggest and most famous football clubs.
He is one of the world’s best paid players, earning £15million a year from Manchester United, and has sponsorship endorsements with big names such as Nike, Nokia, Ford, Coca Cola and Asda, as well as appearing on the front cover of every FIFA video game since 2005. His marketability makes him incredibly valuable, and though he may move for a cut price of around £30million, he is probably worth closer to £57million and will be a big business boost for whichever club signs him, due to the number of shirts he would sell, and of course his influence on the pitch when he reaches his best form.