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Raheem Sterling is the most valuable British player in world football, according to new research.

The Liverpool starlet, who is yet to pen a new long-term deal with the Anfield club, is valued at £49.3million using CIES Football Observatory's unique algorithm.

That figure sees him outrank Gareth Bale, the world's most expensive player, who comes in at £47m in CIES' figures.

CIES aim to rank players based on their on-pitch performance, personal characteristics such as age and contract duration, coupled with the competition level they play at and the success of their teams.

World's most valuable players CIES Football Observatory

Barcelona's Lionel Messi tops the tree coming in at a whopping £172m leaving long-time Ballon d'Or rival Cristiano Ronaldo trailing in his wake at a comparatively modest £104m.

Chelsea boast the most top ten entrants from the Premier League with three - Eden Hazard (£77.6m), Diego Costa (£65.7m) and Cesc Fabregas (£48.6m).

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero (£50.9m) and Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez (£47.7m) also make the top ten.

Juventus' former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has seen his value skyrocket since his departure from Old Trafford with him coming in fifth at £56.3m.