Football clubs are always on the lookout for the next big thing, with wonderkids a continuing fascination among fans.
The excitement of unearthing a talented teenager who can make the jump up to the senior team with ease is unrivalled.
In many cases they may still be at school, but that doesn’t diminish talent and doesn’t prevent some extraordinary performances.
The World Cup has provided a platform for some to showcase their ability to an even wider audience – and add a few digits to their transfer value. With the January window around the corner, there could be a few bids coming in for the world’s best teenagers. Here Mirror Football runs down the top 10 most valuable teenagers, according to Transfermarkt.
10. Benjamin Sesko (£17m)
Sesko has seen his fair amount of hype. The 19-year-old shot to prominence by scoring 21 goals in 29 appearances in the 2020/21 season. Next came comparisons with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, due to his athleticism and his 6ft 5in build.
He was strongly linked with Manchester United over the summer, but eventually decided to join sister club RB Leipzig in July 2023 on a five-year contract. He already has 17 caps and five goals for Slovenia and looks a good bet to excel in the Bundesliga.
9. Mathys Tel (£17m)
The 17-year-old forward cost Bayern Munich €28.5m from Rennes in the summer – a fee which shows his reputation. Tel made his name in France by breaking Eduardo Camavinga’s record as the youngest player to represent Rennes, aged just 16 years and 110 days.
Tel has already scored four goals in 12 appearances for Bayern and has three strikes in four games for France Under-19s.
8. Endrick (£17m)
A classic case of a Brazilian wonderkid. Endrick is still just 16 years old, but he already has a huge weight of reputation behind him.
The Palmeiras forward has now agreed to join Real Madrid in a blockbuster transfer worth £60m (€72m) – his release clause, plus an extra €12m to ward off rivals – when he turns 18 in 2024, according to ESPN. The Spanish giants think he will be the next Vinicius Jr.
7. Romeo Lavia (£21m)
Southampton have got themselves an absolute bargain – and a player who they know will probably be moving on in the coming years, such is his talent. Lavia joined the Saints in a £14m move from Manchester City in the summer and immediately impressed, with Chelsea then reportedly offering £50m for his signature months later.
The 18-year-old defensive midfielder is an exceptional player who is sure to be eyed up by bigger fish in the Premier League. Following Belgium’s miserable performance at the World Cup, he is exactly the kind of player the new regime needs to integrate.
6. Youssoufa Moukoko (£25m)
Moukoko made his Borussia Dortmund debut the day after he turned 16, replacing Erling Haaland, to become the Bundesliga’s youngest ever player.
He has now made his Germany debut and has 11 goals and eight assists in 59 appearances for Dortmund. With his contract set to expire in June 2023, he could be on the move next summer.
5. Harvey Elliott (£30m)
Liverpool ’s playmaker has now fully established his reputation as a Premier League-ready midfielder. The 19-year-old joined the Reds from Fulham when he was just 16 years old in July 2019 and he is now living up to his billing.
A first-team regular and firm favourite of Jurgen Klopp, he looks ready to go from strength to strength.
4. Florian Wirtz (£60m)
Wirtz jumped into the gossip columns last season by contributing seven goals and 10 assists in 24 Bundesliga appearances for Bayer Leverkusen.
A cruciate ligament injury has him on the sidelines at the moment, but he is sure to add to his four Germany caps in the coming years. Whether Leverkusen can hold onto him remains to be seen.
3. Gavi (£77m)
One of the stars of the World Cup, despite Spain’s disappointment in being knocked out on penalties by Morocco. The 18-year-old Barcelona midfielder starred for Luis Enrique’s side in Qatar, with his intelligence and tireless work ethic making him standout (as well as his No9 shirt).
Gavi is unlikely to feature in gossip columns, given he signed a new contract with Barcelona until 2026, with a 1bn euros (£865m) buyout clause, back in September.
2. Jamal Musiala (£86m)
Another bright spark at the World Cup, despite his side’s underperformance. Musiala was given a prominent role by Hansi Flick in Germany’s side at the World Cup and looked the real deal.
Musiala chose Germany over England and looks to be in the perfect place to develop his game. At 19, he already has 27 goals and 17 assists in 100 appearances for Bayern Munich.
1. Jude Bellingham (£86m)
The undisputed young star of the World Cup. Bellingham has started all four of England’s games in Qatar – and starred in just about every one of them.
The Borussia Dortmund midfielder has been eye-catching in every match, with his confidence, athletic ability and all-round game providing England with a point of difference. Transfer speculation has taken hold: Liverpool have made him their transfer priority for 2023, while just about every other major club in Europe also wants him.
