Most valuable African starting XI after end of the 2023/24 season

The 2023/24 club football season ends this weekend with the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund on June 1.

Throughout the season, we've witnessed record-breaking performances, new stars emerging, legendary players leaving the game, and historic performances by African footballers.

This season, Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, and Serhou Guirassy were standout African players in Europe.

It will be a busy summer for football in Europe and America. The 2024 European Championship and Copa America will keep fans entertained before club season returns.

The transfer market will open on June 14 and some blockbuster deals are expected to go down. Some African players will definitely be changing clubs before the window closes.

Incredible performances by African players have seen their market value jump. Sports Brief looks at the most valuable African starting eleven, according to Transfermarkt.

Most valuable starting XI: 4-3-2-1 formation

Goalkeeper: Andre Onana

The Manchester United and Cameroon star is arguably the best goalkeeper in Africa. He joined the Red Devils last season, but his performances were dismal. However, he improved significantly this time around. He played one match at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and won the FA Cup with his club. He is valued at €35 million.

Right-back: Achraf Hakimi

No right full-back in Africa comes close to the Moroccan. He has delivered consistent performances at Paris Saint-Germain. He missed a crucial penalty at the 2023 AFCON but continues to show why he is one of Africa's best players. Value: €65mil.

Centre-back: Ousmane Diomande

At 20, Diomande is one of the most exciting central defenders in the world. Following an impressive season with Sporting CP, he has been linked with moves to several top clubs in Europe. He played two matches at the 2023 AFCON with Ivory Coast and won the Portuguese league. Value: €40mil.

Centre-back: Edmond Tapsoba

Tapsoba was a mainstay in the Bayer Leverkusen team that won the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal. Ivory Coast's Odilon Kossounou and Nayef Aguerd are not that far off. The Burkina Faso star is valued at €40mil.

Left-back: Rayan Aït-Nouri

Africa doesn't have a deep pool of left-back talent. Ait-Nouri is the best in that position in Africa by some distance. The Algerian international is valued at €35mil.

Midfielder: Cheick Doucoure

The Crystal Palace and Mali midfielder is recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon but remains one of the most exciting, deep-lying midfielders. Like his compatriot Yves Bissouma, he is valued at €35mil.

Midfielder: Pape Matar Sarr

It is hard to fathom that Sarr is only 21. The Tottenham Hotspur and Senegal midfielder had a great 2023/24 season, his first in English football. He was a regular this past season under Ange Postecoglou. He is valued at €45mil.

Right-wing: Mohamed Salah

The Egyptian is still one of Africa's best players despite being in his early 30s. The Liverpool forward continues to produce consistent numbers at his club. He is valued at €55mil.

Left-wing: Amine Gouiri

The Algerian winger is valued at €28mil. The Stade Rennais winger is higher than Sadio Mane, Amine Adli, Said Benrahma, and Wilfried Zaha. He had 11 goals and three assists this past season in Ligue 1, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him move elsewhere.

Attacking midfielder: Mohammed Kudus

Kudus had a great first season in English football with West Ham United. He arrived at the club last summer as the second most expensive signing and has lived up to it. The Ghanaian is valued at €50mil.

Striker: Victor Osimhen

Osimhen is the reigning African Footballer of the Year and will likely leave Napoli this summer. Valued at €110mil, the Nigerian is the most valuable footballer in Africa. The Napoli star won the Serie A title and Golden Boot in 2022/23.

The most notable players missing here are Victor Boniface, Serhou Guirassy, Ademola Lookman, and Simon Adingra.