Liga MX market values: Giakoumakis joins top group – Barajas and Cowell upgraded

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102 players updated 

After the Major League Soccer update in September, Transfermarkt has updated the other major league in North America: Liga MX. Overall, 102 players received updates as part of the intermediary update, and there has been some significant movement among the most valuable players. Leaders Érick Sánchez (Club América), Juan Brunetta (Tigres UANL), and Sergio Canales (Monterrey) dropped, and former Atlanta United star striker Georgios Giakoumakis (Cruz Azul) saw his market value increase. 

While Canales is now out of the top spot, at least Sánchez and Brunetta managed to maintain their no.1 spot despite a drop of €1m, sharing it now with newcomer Giakoumakis. “After a transfer worth €9m from Atlanta to Cruz Azul, Giakoumakis became one of the most valuable players in Liga MX,” Transfermarkt Area Manager Mexico Osvaldo González Camacho said. “The Greek striker generated great anticipation with his arrival to Liga MX and quickly made his presence felt. Despite an early-season injury, the 29-year-old forward has played nine matches, scoring five goals and providing three assists.” In other words, Giakoumakis justified Cruz Azul’s investment, and as a result, his market value increased by 12.5% to €9m. 

Canales is no longer among the most valuable players. Signed for €10m from Real Betis in the summer of 2023, Canales saw his market value drop by 25% from €10m to now €7.5m. “Sergio Canales arrived at Monterrey as the most valuable player in Liga MX, but his 33 years of age and his first few months sidelined by injury as a Monterrey player led to a drop in his market value,” Camacho said. “Nonetheless, he remains among the top-valued players, thanks to his performance in the Apertura, where he has scored four goals and provided one assist in 12 matches.”

Over at Chivas, two talents with a past in MLS were among the market value winners. US men’s national team striker Cade Cowell saw his market value improve from €4m to €5m.  “Cowell’s strong start to the season positioned him immediately as a key player for Guadalajara, with three goals and two assists in six matches,” Camacho said. “However, a muscle injury has sidelined him for at least four to six weeks. He is expected to return to action toward the end of the tournament after the October FIFA break.” Despite the injury, Cowell’s run of form has meant that the 20-year-old has reached his highest market value since August 2023, when he was still one of the biggest prospects in MLS. 

Also on the up is Cowell’s new teammate Fidel Barajas. The 18-year-old was featured as part of the Transfermarkt Talents Calendar only a year ago and has seen a meteoric rise. Barajas joined MLS side Real Salt Lake from Charleston Battery in January and, within just a few months, earned a €4m move to Chivas. Thanks to a sell-on clause, the deal made Barajas one of the most expensive transfers in USL Championship history.  The Chivas deal also had an impact on Barajas’ market value. “Barajas arrived at Club Guadalajara with high expectations following a transfer worth over €4 million from Real Salt Lake City, which raised his market value from €2 to €3 million,” Camacho said. Why does his market value not match the transfer fee? “His performance has remained under scrutiny, as he has played less than 70 minutes across four matches,” Camacho said.

Finally, over at Tijuana wonderkid Gilberto Mora received his first ever market value. “Mora has become the most promising young talent in Mexican football,” Camacho said. “At just 15 years old, he has attracted the interest of scouts from around the world, particularly from teams like Manchester City, Porto, Barcelona, and Milan. Under the guidance of Juan Carlos Osorio at Tijuana, he has been a key asset in seven matches, contributing one goal and an assist in just over 300 minutes of play.” Mora, who will turn 16 in just a few days, saw his market value adjusted to €1m.  

How Transfermarkt market values work

The Transfermarkt market values are calculated, taking into account various pricing models. A major factor is the Transfermarkt community, whose members discuss and evaluate player market values in detail. In general, the Transfermarkt market values are not to be equated with transfer fees. 

The goal is not to predict a price but an expected value of a player in a free market. Both individual transfer modalities and situational conditions are relevant in determining market values. Examples of this are listed below. Transfermarkt does not use an algorithm (you can find the detailed market value definition here).