The career of a Premier League footballer is a relatively short one in comparison to other professions, so it makes sense that the players involved want to cash-in their talents while they can. Admit it you would, wouldn't you?

Thanks to the ever increasing TV money, endorsements and sponsorships in the sport now, players are able to play the game with their employers when it comes to wages and other fees.

At the end of the day, it's the players on the pitch that bring in the money through their performances and their associations.

You just need to look at Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Juventus, they paid nearly £100 million for his services, but within 24 hours of his arrival, the club had sold $60million worth of shirts with his name on the back.

In the Premier League, Manchester City have the highest collective wage bill estimated at £261 million, but individually who are the 20 highest earning players? We take a look.

Javier Hernandez - £140,000

West Ham's owners will surely not be happy with Hernandez's first season back in the Premier League, after scoring just eight goals.

The Mexican will argue that he wasn't given any form of real service during a turbulent season for the Hammers.

There is no doubt the 30-year-old's reputation as a goalscorer for Man United and Bayer Leverkusen gave him the opportunity to negotiate such a huge wage.

Ilkay Gundogan - £140,000

Gundogan arrived in Manchester in June 2016 from Borussia Dortmund for an estimated £20 million.

But just six months later he suffered a knee ligament injury that forced him to the sidelines for nine months. Since his return in November 2017, the German featured heavily in City's title winning season.

Raheem Sterling - £150,000

If there is one player that shows the 'Pep effect', it is Raheem Sterling. His performances last season for City certainly justified his huge wages and fans are starting to see why he cost the club almost £50 million.

The 2017/18 season was a record breaking one for the winger, as he scored 18 leagues goals and missed just five games.

Vincent Kompany - £150,000

He has had his injury issues but there is no denying that Vincent Kompany is still an important member of Manchester City's squad.

Days have gone when the club captain is paid the most and considering his injury problems the Belgian will surely be more than happy with his weekly pay packet.

Cesc Fabregas - £156,000

Fabregas' arrival at Chelsea in 2014, wasn't well received by Arsenal fans, but his decision has been more than justified.

With two Premier League titles, a FA Cup and a League Cup, he has certainly been worth the £30 million Chelsea paid Barcelona and the wages of course.

David Silva - £160,000

Incredibly David Silva is the highest paid player at Man City and only the 15th highest in the league.

The 30-year-old's contract currently runs until Summer 2020, but if he continues performing like he did last season, he will surely be looking at another contract extension.

Virgil Van Dijk - £165,000

It was one of the most talked about the transfers of 2018 as the defender moved from Southampton to Liverpool for a reported £75 million.

If you thought his transfer fee was big then his wages will equally shock you, but, you could certainly argue, sorting out Liverpool's defence is one of the toughest jobs in football.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan - £180,000

When Mkhitaryan made the move south from Old Trafford to the Emirates, many believed he was the piece of the puzzle Arsenal were missing.

But injury hampered his 2018 season and he only made 11 league appearances, scoring two goals.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - £180,000

Aubameyang was another Arsenal player who arrived in January 2018 with a Champions League weight on his shoulders. Unfortunately, he was unable to succeed as the Gunners finished 6th and were knocked in the Europa League semi-finals.

Many Arsenal fans believe the arrival of new manager Unai Emery will see the Gabon international set the Premier League alight this year.

Harry Kane - £200,000

The 'one season wonder' finished the 2017-18 season with 30 Premier League goals, his fourth season running of scoring 20+ goals.

With a World Cup golden boot in his personal trophy cabinet, Spurs had to break their wage structure to sign him up until 2024.

David De Gea - £200,000

It is hard to argue with United fans who claim De Gea is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, he certainly deserves to be the highest paid shot stopper.

Incredibly despite his £200,000 a week wages, he is the fourth highest paid at the club.

Mohamed Salah - £200,000

The Egyptian made an incredible return to the Premier League last season, scoring 32 league goals in just 36 appearances.

If he has another successful season in front of goal and can help deliver Liverpool a trophy this year, it's a certainty that his wage will sky rocket.

Eden Hazard - £200,000

This summer has been dominated by rumours of Eden Hazard's move to Real Madrid. The Belgian has made it clear he is awaiting to see who Chelsea sign before making a decision.

If he was to move to Madrid, with Ronaldo gone, he would be the main man and you would expect his wages to reflect that.

He is hardly on peanuts at Chelsea though.

Alexandre Lacazette - £200,000

Before the arrival of Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan, Alexandre Lacazette was the main that was going to return the glory days to the Emirates.

The Frenchman made a decent return in the Premier League, scoring 14 goals, but surely not worth the £200,000 a week wages.

Sergio Aguero - £220,000

Aguero has scored 143 Premier League goals in 206 games, an incredible record with a ratio of 0.69, only bettered by Harry Kane on the all-time stats.

So the fact that he takes home £220,000 a week isn't surprising, I can't believe I just said that, £220,000 a week!

Romelu Lukaku - £250,000

Now we are starting to get into insane figures.

Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku netted his 100th Premier League in 2018 and had a decent season in his first year of a bumper five-year contract at Old Trafford.

Kevin De Bruyne - £280,000

With six players in the Premier League's Highest Earners top 20, we have finally found Man City's highest paid player, Kevin De Bruyne.

The Belgian is an assisting and goalscoring machine, in 101 appearances he has scored 21 goals, but assisted 44. If Mo Salah hadn't been playing last year, De Bruyne would have won almost every award going as City romped to the title.

Paul Pogba - £290,000

He left United on a free transfer in 2012 with Sir Alex Ferguson not wanting him as part of his plans. Four years later the Frenchman made an incredible return to Old Trafford for a £89 million transfer fee and demanding huge wages.

Pogba had a great summer, winning the World Cup in Russia with France and he will be hoping to take his form into the new season.

N'Golo Kante - £290,000 *

N'golo is reportedly in talks with Chelsea to improve his £120,000 a week contract to £290,000, with the club worried about PSG interest.

The Frenchman arrived in the Premier League with Leicester City who paid £8 million for his services. Now he is a two-time Premier League winner, and could be the third highest paid player in the league.

Mesut Ozil - £306,250

Ozil stalled over signing a new contract with the Gunners for what felt like years, but he finally signed it in January 2018, almost doubling his salary. Fair play.

Alexis Sanchez - £315,000

We've made it, we have found the highest earning Premier League star and are we surprised that he plays for Man United?

The Chilean striker moved to Old Trafford from Arsenal in a swap deal with Henrikh Mkhitaryan going the other way. Saving on the transfer fees, it seems United have decided to put the money into his wages. Incredible.