Manchester United FC leads the football rich list, according to KPMG’s 2nd edition of the “Football Clubs’ Valuation: The European Elite 2017” report.
In 2017, English Premier League clubs dominated the ranking, accounting once again for approximately 40 percent of the aggregate Enterprise Value. Moreover, as a result of the broadcasting agreement which has started this season, their position is expected to be even more prominent in next year’s report.
This year 10 clubs were valued in excess of EUR 1 billion, two more than in 2016, with Juventus FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC being the new entrants in this elite group, the latter ousting Paris Saint-Germain FC from the 10th position.
Another remarkable change in the top-third of the table is Manchester City FC’s move to the fifth position, being valued at EUR 1.9 billion and surpassing Arsenal FC.
Despite the English dominance, Spain is still the only country with two clubs reporting an EV above EUR 2 billion, namely Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona. Furthermore, the overall value of Spanish clubs in the ranking increased by 10 percent, especially as a result of Atlético de Madrid (+34 percent) and Sevilla FC’s (+44 percent) significant growth and the entry of Athletic Club Bilbao in the top 32 list for the first time.
Germany, which recorded an aggregate EV increase of 14 percent, is again represented by only three clubs. Thanks to this growth, FC Bayern München is now valued at EUR 2.4 billion and sits again in 4th position, narrowing the gap to third placed FC Barcelona.
The analysis also highlights how Italian clubs continue to struggle to keep the pace with European peers. Serie A (overall 7 percent growth) is now represented by only six clubs, one less than in 2016, while SS Lazio’s value decreased by 2 percent and that of AC Milan, recently acquired by a Chinese consortium, remained at EUR 547 million.
By contrast, UEFA Champions League finalists Juventus FC, following a winning streak of six consecutive domestic titles, mirrored their on-pitch success with a 24 percent EV growth and remained the only Italian club in the top 10.
Manchester United finished sixth in the English Premier League this season, but will return to the Champions League next year after beating Ajax in Europa League final thanks to goals by Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
