The ten most valuable football teams

With a capacity of just 36,000, Tottenham's White Hart Lane stadium was long due the overhaul it is now set to receive. But it had not hindered their financial success. According to Forbes magazine, the London club are worth 945 million euros ($1 billion). This season saw them finish second in the Premier League and reach the quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa League.

Juventus were taught a footballing lesson by Real Madrid in the final of the Champions League. But they still enjoyed a rewarding season, securing a sixth straight Italian championship and the cup for good measure. Yet despite that success, Forbes put their overall value at 1.12 billion euros, a drop of three per cent.

As coach of a team worth 1.33 billion euros, Jürgen Klopp has good reason to smile. But Liverpool only managed fourth-place in the Premier League and were knocked out of the FA cup early on. Still, they remain one of the most valuable football brands on the planet.

Thanks in the main to a staggering TV deal, the Premier League powerhouse is home to several international heavyweights. Chelsea also have the benefit of being owned by a Russian billionaire. His investments helped propel the club to another championship this season and an overall value of 1.65 billion euros.

Arsenal were given a real hiding by Bayern Munich in the Champions League this season, with the German side winning both legs of the last-16 tie 5-1. The Gunners will miss out on that competition next year after only finishing fifth in the Premier League. As a consequence, their value dropped by four per cent to 1.72 billion euros.

Manchester City may have been founded way back in 1880 but the club has undergone a radical transformation in recent years. The new owners from Abu Dhabi have invested astronomical sums in players. However, they came up short last season, finishing third in the league and getting knocked out of the FA cup and the Champions League at the last-16 stage. Yet the side is worth 1.85 billion euros.

No one can touch Bayern at national level. The record champions have now won five straight Bundesliga titles. But success in the Champions League has proved elusive since 2013. Perhaps that is the reason they trail the top three in the Forbes rankings. Bayern are worth 2.41 billion euros and are set to invest heavily once more this summer.

Real Madrid? Only in third? Do not adjust your screens. Despite winning the Spanish title and the Champions League, Forbes only placed the Galaticos in third position. One reason may be the ageing squad (average age of 27.3), as young players with a bright future ahead of them also promise hefty transfer fees. Still, their value is estimated at a princely 3.18 billion euros.

Barcelona fell victim to their own lofty ambition this season. A team with world-class players such as Messi and Neymar that was strengthened to the tune of 123 million euros last summer, can reasonably expect to win things. But they had to settle for runners-up spot in the league, a quarterfinal exit in the Champions League and "just" a cup win. Their value still rose to 3.24 billion euros.

It may have been known as the "Cup of Losers" a while back, but despite trailing its big brother the Champions League, the Europa League has gained in importance. And the winners of this year's competition are also the most valuable club in the world. Manchester United are worth an incredible 3.28 billion euros.