Arthur Masuaku is one of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s most experienced footballers and among Africa’s most accomplished left-backs. Renowned for his attacking runs, pinpoint crossing, technical ability, and versatility, the defender has enjoyed a career spanning France, Greece, England, and Turkey, establishing himself as one of the continent’s most reliable full-backs.
Currently, Masuaku plays for Turkish Süper Lig giants Besiktas, having initially joined the club on loan from West Ham United before making the move permanent in 2023. Since arriving in Istanbul, he has become a regular starter and an important contributor both domestically and in European competition.
At international level, Masuaku represents the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As of 2026, he has earned more than 30 senior caps and has played a key role in the Leopards’ recent Africa Cup of Nations campaigns, providing valuable experience and leadership to the national team.
Salary
Following his permanent transfer to Besiktas, Masuaku signed a contract running until June 30, 2027. While the Turkish club does not officially publish player salaries, reports estimate that the experienced left-back earns approximately €2.2 million annually, making him one of the better-paid defenders in the squad.
His salary reflects the wealth of experience he accumulated during nearly a decade playing in the Premier League and European competitions, where he established himself as a dependable performer at the highest level.
| Period | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|
| Annual Salary | $2,510,000 |
| Monthly Salary | $209,167 |
| Weekly Salary | $48,269 |
| Daily Salary | $6,895 |
View this post on Instagram
Market Value
According to Transfermarkt, the 32-year-old defender has a current market value of €2 million as of June 2026.
Although his valuation has naturally declined with age, Masuaku remains one of the most experienced full-backs in the Turkish Süper Lig. His highest market value came during his Premier League years with West Ham United, when he established himself as one of the league’s most dangerous attacking left-backs.
| Date | Market Value | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07.01.2014 | €2,000,000 | 20 | Olympiacos |
| 06.01.2016 | €6,000,000 | 22 | Olympiacos |
| 12.18.2017 | €8,000,000 | 24 | West Ham United |
| 06.13.2019 | €10,000,000 | 25 | West Ham United |
| 12.27.2020 | €7,500,000 | 27 | West Ham United |
| 06.15.2022 | €4,000,000 | 28 | West Ham United |
| 12.19.2023 | €2,800,000 | 30 | Besiktas |
| 06.01.2026 | €2,000,000 | 32 | Besiktas |
View this post on Instagram
Career
Arthur Masuaku’s professional journey has taken him through several of Europe’s most competitive leagues, where he has consistently demonstrated his attacking quality from the left flank.
-
Valenciennes & Olympiacos Development (2013–2016): Masuaku began his senior career with French club Valenciennes before earning a move to Greek powerhouse Olympiacos. In Greece, he won multiple Super League titles, gained UEFA Champions League experience, and established himself as one of Europe’s most attack-minded left-backs.
-
West Ham United (2016–2023): In August 2016, Masuaku joined Premier League side West Ham United. Over seven seasons, he made more than 150 appearances in all competitions and became known for his dribbling ability, crossing, and attacking intent. One of the highlights of his spell came in December 2021 when his spectacular strike against Chelsea helped West Ham secure a memorable Premier League victory.
-
Beşiktaş & Lens Loan (2022–2026): Masuaku initially joined Beşiktaş on loan during the 2022/23 season before completing a permanent transfer in 2023. He quickly established himself as the club’s first-choice left-back, contributing consistently in the Süper Lig and European competitions. During the 2025/26 season, he returned to France on loan with RC Lens, where his experience proved invaluable as he featured regularly in Ligue 1 and helped strengthen the club’s defensive unit before returning to Beşiktaş following the conclusion of the campaign.
-
Beşiktaş Return (2026–Present): After completing his loan spell at Lens, Masuaku returned to Beşiktaş ahead of the 2026/27 season. The experienced defender remains an important member of the squad, bringing leadership, top-level experience, and versatility as the club continues to compete for domestic honours and European qualification.
View this post on Instagram
Accolades & Highlights
Masuaku enters the latter stages of his career as one of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s most accomplished defenders.
His trophy collection includes multiple Greek Super League titles with Olympiacos, while his lengthy spell in the Premier League saw him compete regularly against some of the world’s best players. Throughout his career, he has earned praise for his technical quality, crossing ability, and confidence carrying the ball forward from defense.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup became another landmark in Masuaku’s international career. The experienced left-back played an important role as DR Congo reached the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time in the nation’s history, ending a 52-year wait since their only previous World Cup appearance in 1974.
One of his standout moments came in the group-stage draw against Portugal, where Masuaku delivered the cross that was headed home by Yoane Wissa for DR Congo’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal. The assist helped secure a historic 1-1 draw against the European giants and earned the Leopards their first point at a World Cup.
Masuaku also featured prominently during DR Congo’s dramatic 3-1 comeback victory over Uzbekistan, a result that secured qualification for the Round of 32. His experience and attacking support from left-back proved valuable throughout the campaign as the Leopards advanced to face England in the knockout rounds.
For the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Masuaku remains one of the country’s most respected internationals. His leadership, consistency, and contribution to the nation’s historic 2026 World Cup campaign have further strengthened his legacy as one of the finest left-backs ever to represent the Leopards.





