Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres earns £220,000 a week despite being a distant second choice, making him the Premier League’s most overpaid player according to salary figures from Capology. Manager Mikel Arteta has preferred a half-fit Kai Havertz over Gyokeres, who scored four goals in four games for Sweden earlier this year, highlighting the disconnect between his wages and role.
Gyokeres’s struggles at Arsenal reflect a broader trend across the league where clubs are paying high wages to players who rarely justify their salaries on the pitch. At Aston Villa, Alejandro Garnacho’s loan deal from Chelsea includes a full wage of £120,000 a week, but he has only featured for 42 minutes this season. Villa reportedly agreed to pay £43 million if he reaches a certain number of appearances, which looks unlikely given his current lack of game time under Unai Emery.
Bournemouth’s Bafode Diakite is paid £90,000 a week despite falling out of favour and barely featuring in the Premier League this season. After being dropped in January, he has made only brief substitute appearances, mostly playing in cup matches. Brentford’s Igor Thiago earns £110,000 a week after signing a long-term deal following a 22-goal season, but his recent form has dipped with just one goal in five games.
Brighton’s Georginio Rutter is on £85,000 a week but has lost his place to Charalampos Kostoulas, who earns £30,000 less. Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana is paid £220,000 a week on a seven-year contract signed during the early BlueCo era, despite only making 77 appearances in four years. Chelsea have spent around £48 million on his wages per appearance, matching the salary of Cole Palmer, who signed a new deal this year. His contract runs until 2029.
Coventry’s Luke Woolfenden earns £30,000 a week despite being out of favour after the club signed three centre-backs over the summer. He reportedly submitted a transfer request but remains at the club. Crystal Palace’s Eddie Nketiah is on £90,000 a week but has failed to become a consistent Premier League striker, scoring just 12 goals in 64 appearances since signing in 2024. Strand Larsen at Palace earns £125,000 a week but isn’t the chosen example here.
Everton are paying around £220,000 a week for Jack Grealish, who returned on loan from Manchester City last season. Despite being a fan favourite, Grealish’s output has been limited, and his age is a factor in questions over the deal’s value. Fulham’s Emile Smith Rowe earns £90,000 a week but has become a bench option due to injuries and inconsistent performances since moving from Arsenal in 2024.
Hull City’s Jack Butland receives £40,000 a week as a second-choice goalkeeper, matching the wages of the club’s number one despite limited playing time. These cases underline how Premier League clubs sometimes commit large sums to players who do not regularly contribute on the pitch.
The figures reveal a pattern of inflated wages for players whose performances do not meet expectations, raising questions about financial decisions in the league. Arsenal’s decision to pay Gyokeres £220,000 a week despite his peripheral role is the most striking example among several Premier League teams now facing scrutiny over pay structures.
According to Planet Football.
