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<p>Man Utd fans, look away now</p>
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<p><img alt="Which Premier League teams will lose the most players to AFCON 2025?" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/afcon-pl-spotlight-1763559967-183184.png" title="Which Premier League teams will lose the most players to AFCON 2025?"></p>
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<p>As Premier League managers prepare for the disruptions caused by the mid-season Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the financial implications of this tournament are becoming clearer. The 2025 edition is set to begin in Morocco just four days before Christmas, on December 21. Several clubs may face the challenge of not only missing key players but also experiencing a significant decline in their squad’s market value. This is particularly critical during a phase of the season when having depth can make all the difference.</p>
<p>From title contenders potentially losing star forwards to mid-table teams reliant on influential African midfielders and defenders, the range of potential absences is vast and costly. Utilizing <em>Transfermarkt’s</em> market values as a standard, the extent of the impact varies significantly across clubs, revealing which squads are most vulnerable. This analysis highlights how much market value each Premier League team stands to lose during AFCON 2025, indicating that some clubs' January strategies may be influenced as much by continental tournaments as by the transfer window.</p>
<h2>Impact of AFCON on Premier League Teams</h2>
<p>In terms of market value loss, Manchester United is poised to take the biggest hit. The trio of Cameroonian Bryan Mbeumo (€75m), Ivorian Amad Diallo (€50m), and Moroccan Noussair Mazraoui (€22m) collectively represent €147m in talent that the Red Devils will be without. With Mbeumo and Diallo gone, United will lose a significant portion of their attacking prowess from the right side, previously one of the team's most effective areas this season. Their city rivals, Manchester City, come in second, facing the departure of Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush (€65m) and Algerian full-back Rayan Aït-Nouri (€40m), although neither player has been a regular starter this season.</p>
<p>Following United and City, Sunderland could be the most severely impacted, potentially missing six players who altogether have a market value of €92m. Fulham ranks fourth, set to lose three players worth a total of €63m. Brighton takes fifth place, with midfielder Carlos Baleba valued at €60m alone. Reigning champions Liverpool find themselves ranked 11th, likely losing star Mohamed Salah (€30m) for the benefit of Egypt. Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, Bournemouth, and Leeds will be among the least affected, as none of their players are participating in this year's AFCON.</p>
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