The 13 Highest-Earning Premier League players (2025/26 Season)
- Think Football Ideas
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
While fans often rave about the brilliance their star players bring to the pitch, few realise that it often takes staggering contracts and even astronomical salaries to secure such talent.
In football, a landscape where spending power defines ambition, there could be a gulf between what clubs pay and what they receive in return. But having these headline players on the books is often seen as a statement of intent, proof of belonging among the elite.
Here Are The 13 Highest-Earning Premier League players (2025/26 season)
13. Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City)
Wage: £250,000 per week
Manchester City made a bold statement when they brought shotstopper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Ligue 1 giants PSG for £26 million.
A proven winner in France, he arrived at the Etihad with an aura of success, adding further depth to Man City’s already star-studded squad.
His contract makes him the highest-paid goalkeeper in the English top-flight, reflecting both his pedigree and the immense expectations at the Etihad.
12. Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
Wage: £265,000 per week
Brazil international Gabriel Jesus was seen as Arsenal’s answer to their long-standing need for a prolific striker after the club cut ties with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Yet with only 26 goals and 19 assists across 98 appearances, his record has left fans questioning whether he has truly lived up to the billing.
Despite flashes of brilliance, his finishing struggles continue to shadow his reputation, and injuries have played a major part in blighting his trajectory at the Emirates.
11. Kai Havertz (Arsenal)
Wage: £280,000 per week
Arsenal’s highest-paid player carries the weight of expectation with every performance. Germany international Kai Havertz may forever be remembered for delivering Chelsea the Champions League in 2021 with his decisive goal against Manchester City, but his transition to the Emirates has been uneven.
Arteta continues to view him as a central figure in his system, and while his contributions have sometimes been inconsistent, he has played his part in helping Arsenal secure three consecutive second-place finishes. Even with Viktor Gyökeres' arrival to add competition up front, Havertz’s story at Arsenal is far from over.
10. Alexander Isak (Liverpool)
Wage: £280,000 per week
Alexander Isak’s move from Newcastle United to Liverpool on the 25-26 deadline day rewrote British transfer history with its £125 million fee.
Determined to make the switch, the Swede, who is Newcastle's second-highest goalscorer in Premier League history, even sacrificed a £5 million loyalty bonus to force it through. Now under Arne Slot, his goal-scoring instincts are tasked with maintaining Liverpool’s hunger for silverware and success.
9. Omar Marmoush (Manchester City)
Wage: £295,000 per week
A January 2025 arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt, Omar Marmoush has already shown why City were eager to secure him. Blending pace, dribbling, and sharp finishing, he announced himself with a hat-trick early into his tenure.
Man City view him as a perfect complement to their star striker, Erling Haaland, and the Egyptian is a forward capable of reshaping their attacking identity in the seasons ahead.
8. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Wage: £300,000 per week
For years, Portuguese star maestro Bernardo Silva has been the embodiment of Pep Guardiola’s tactical ideals. A versatile midfielder capable of adapting to multiple roles, he continues to serve as the connective tissue in Man City’s approach.
His decision to extend his stay at the Etihad reaffirmed his influence, with his £300,000 weekly wage highlighting just how highly the Cityzens value him.
7. Jack Grealish (Manchester City, on loan at Everton)
Wage: £300,000 per week
Signed from Aston Villa for £100 million, England midfielder Jack Grealish arrived at Manchester City with immense hype.
Yet his return of 17 goals and 23 assists fell short of matching the financial outlay, even though he played a vital role in the Cityzens' treble-winning campaign.
A loan move to Everton under David Moyes has reignited his spark, with four assists in his first three Premier League appearances highlighting his potential to thrive outside Guardiola’s demanding system.
6. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Wage: £300,000 per week
Bruno Fernandes remains United’s creative heartbeat. With a contract keeping him at Old Trafford until 2027, he continues to be one of the Premier League’s most productive midfielders.
His tally of 91 chances created last season was unmatched, reaffirming his reputation as a relentless source of opportunities. If Manchester United are to turn a corner under Ruben Amorim and re-establish themselves among the league’s most competitive sides, Fernandes will be central to that effort.
5. Raheem Sterling (Chelsea, on loan at Arsenal 24/25)
Wage: £325,000 per week
Raheem Sterling has long been rewarded handsomely for his attacking talent, and his current contract places him as Chelsea’s top earner.
Last season saw him sent on loan to Arsenal, where the Gunners paid less than half his salary while Chelsea still footed the bill.
A costly arrangement, it demonstrated how difficult it can be to balance wages with output. With the transfer window closed, the winger remains at Chelsea, and it remains to be seen how the Blues will resolve the situation.
4. Casemiro (Manchester United)
Wage: £350,000 per week
A £70 million signing (an initial £60m plus £10m in add-ons) from Real Madrid in 2022, Casemiro initially stabilised Manchester United’s midfield under Erik ten Hag and delivered silverware.
In recent campaigns, however, his form has declined, raising questions about his long-term role. He remains a starter under current manager Ruben Amorim, largely because the Red Devils have yet to strengthen their midfield.
While he still offers valuable experience to an unbalanced starting eleven, for now, he appears determined to see out his contract at Old Trafford.
3. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Wage: £350,000 per week
Few defenders have redefined their position like Dutch Virgil van Dijk. Considered one of the best centre-backs in the world, his commanding presence anchored Liverpool’s success under Jürgen Klopp, and now under Anre Slot, he remains an indispensable figure.
A new deal signed in 2025 ensures his future at Anfield until 2027, where he remains both captain and cornerstone as the Reds aim to retain their Premier League crown.
2. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Wage: £400,000 per week
The “Egyptian King” continues to be Liverpool’s talisman. Having lifted virtually every major trophy during his time at Anfield, including two Premier League titles, Salah’s two-year extension in 2025 cemented his place as the club’s highest-paid star.
Still performing at the top level and among the contenders for global honours, Mohamed Salah's £400,000 weekly wage reflects both loyalty and legacy.
1. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Wage: £525,000 per week
Erling Haaland stands alone as the highest-paid player in Premier League history. After smashing records with 36 goals in his debut campaign, he cemented his reputation as a generational striker.
Though City endured a rare trophyless season last year, Haaland still scored 22 league goals despite missing several months due to injury, highlighting his relentless consistency.
His nine-and-a-half-year deal, worth £525,000 per week, stands as a bold testament to City’s faith in him as their spearhead for the future.
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