Top 10 highest paid players in English Premier League as new season kicks off
From mega contracts to match-winning talent, these stars are earning big
As the Premier League returns on Friday, the spotlight isn’t just on Liverpool’s title defence — it’s on the million-pound superstars set to light up the season. From record contracts to jaw-dropping weekly wages, the race for football’s richest prizes begins alongside the battle for the crown, in a campaign that will run into the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Gulf News counts down the 10 highest-paid players in England’s top flight.
10. Kai Havertz (Arsenal) — £280,000 a week
Arsenal’s highest earner is a former Chelsea player. Kai Havertz moved to Arsenal in a £65 million deal in the summer of 2023 and earns a solid salary. Whether he is worthy of being the top earner at the club is a question that Arsenal fans want answered.
9. Omar Marmoush (Manchester City) — £295,000 a week
The Egyptian was only on £33,000 a week at Eintracht Frankfurt before moving to Pep’s team in January 2025. He is currently earning almost 9 times his previous salary.
8. Jack Grealish (Manchester City/Everton) — £300,000 a week
He is the second highest-paid English player in the Premier League. Remember, he was English football’s first £100 million purchase, but now he is out of Pep’s plans. Grealish has joined Everton on loan, and reports suggest the Toffees have taken liability for most of his salary for the season. Was he a flop at Manchester City? Can David Moyes revive his career? Let the debate continue.
7. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) — £300,000 a week
He is Manchester United’s main man, and no wonder he is on the high wage list. He is their best signing of the post-Ferguson era. However, he is not the Red Devil who is earning the most. We will come to that.
6. Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) — £300,000 a week
Manchester City’s new captain Bernardo Silva is in the final season of his current contract, which he renewed in 2023. He has been a consistent performer for Pep’s team ever since his debut.
5. Raheem Sterling (Chelsea) — £325,000 a week
Chelsea have been great sellers in this window, but it will be a monumental task for the sporting directors to remove him from the wage budget. There were rumours about London clubs being interested in him, but Chelsea will have to cover some part of his wages if he goes on another loan. A permanent move means he will have to take a pay cut, which is unlikely to happen. He has been a flop.
4. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) — £350,000 a week
Van Dijk joined Liverpool in 2018, and the rest is history. He has become one of the best defenders to ever play in the Premier League, helping Liverpool win all the trophies. He has signed a new two-year deal worth this amount. Whether he can continue to be impactful remains to be seen.
3. Casemiro (Manchester United) — £350,000 a week
When Casemiro joined Manchester United from Real Madrid, he almost doubled his wages. However, while he helped them achieve domestic cup success, they are now struggling to get his salary off the books. Real Madrid know when to sell their stars.
2. Mohammed Salah (Liverpool) — £400,000 a week
There was big relief for Liverpool fans when Mo Salah signed a new deal after all the drama regarding his future. The new deal earned the striker a £2.6 million-a-year pay rise. He is currently the second highest-paid player in the Premier League. He has been delivering consistently.
1. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) — £525,000 a week
Manchester City’s superstar has extended his contract until 2034. With that salary, his career is sorted. If he wants to move, he can only move for footballing ambitions because that salary is absolutely mammoth.
— With inputs capology
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