€35m top value 

©TM/IMAGO

The Europa League doesn’t carry the prestige or finances of the Champions League but it remains an elite competition. UEFA’s second most distinguished club competition returns this midweek in its brand new format that mirrors the Champions League. All 36 participating clubs will play eight games to qualify for the knockout stages through the league phase with the top eight clubs qualifying automatically and the next 16 competing in a play-off. 

The most valuable players and clubs in the world are involved in the Champions League but there’s some notable exceptions. Victor Osimhen, Cole Palmer and Bruno Fernandes are amongst the most valuable players to miss out on European football’s premier club competition, while Manchester United and Tottenham are the two most valuable clubs in the Europa League. The competition can provide a platform for some of the best emerging talents to showcase their ability on the European stage. The top three most valuable U21 players in the Europa League play for Manchester United but let’s take a closer look at some potential stars of the future outside of the top five leagues. 

The most valuable U21 players in Europa League from outside top five leagues

Samu Omorodion is the most valuable U21 player in the Europa League from outside the top five leagues with a valuation of €35m. The 20-year-old was strongly linked with a move to Chelsea this summer before joining Porto for an initial €15m from Atletico Madrid. Omorodion has started the season well in Portugal with three goals in three league games after winning the Olympics with Spain in the summer.

Jorrel Hato is widely regarded as one of the best young centre-back talents in the world and he ranks second at €30m. At just 18, Hato has already captained Ajax and he’s their second most valuable player and sixth in the Eredivisie. Hato has scored and provided two assists from centre-back and he fits the profile of the modern ball-playing defender with Arsenal known admirers. 

Semih Kılıçsoy ranks third with the Besiktas starlet valued at €12m. The left winger was part of Turkey’s squad at Euro 2024 and featured off the bench in the quarter-final defeat to Netherlands. Kilicsoy has provided three assists in five Super Lig games this season and his market value has soared from €550k to his current valuation of €12m across 2024 after his emergence. 

Braga academy graduate Roger provided 17 goal contributions in 40 games during his breakthrough season in 2023/24. The winger’s valuation increased by €6.5m across the course of last season and he will be aiming to build on his impressive campaign in the Europa League. Roger made his debut for Braga aged just 15 and he’s been linked previously with Newcastle United. 

Like Roger, Mario Stroeykens is also valued at €10m with his market value soaring by €7m across last season when he provided 13 goal contributions in 40 games. The attacking midfielder is a regular for Belgium’s U21 side and he’s attracted interest from Fiorentina and Newcastle. Stroeykens’ performances for Anderlecht in the Europa League could seal his move to a top five league next summer. 

Franculino is the first of two Midtjylland players to feature on the top list with a valuation of €7.5m. The Danish side are renowned for developing young African talents in align with their partnership with the Right to Dream academy. Midtjylland picked up Franculino on a free transfer from Benfica last summer when his valuation was just €1m but it’s increased to €7m and a move to a top league club seems inevitable. 

Ismaël Gharbi is the second Braga player to feature after making the move from PSG in the summer. Gharbi was valued at €7.5m when he departed Paris, where he famously clashed with Neymar in training and sustained a cut head. The attacking midfielder featured 12 times for PSG’s first-team and Braga provides a fantastic platform for him to showcase his talent. 

Darío Osorio is the second Midtjylland star on the top ten list with a valuation of €10m. The winger moved to Denmark from his homeland last summer for €5.2m and he’s provided 13 assists in 38 games. Osario was previously linked with Wolves but strong speculation raged over a move to Liverpool in the summer and several Premier League clubs are monitoring his development. 

Ajax academy graduate Kristian Hlynsson has already been capped twice for Iceland at 20 and he’s been tipped for big things. His market value rose by over €5m to €7m last season and he’s currently the third most valuable Icelandic page. Hylnsson has provided three goal contributions this season but he’s missed the last few games with injury.

Jan-Carlo Simić completes the top list after moving from AC Milan to Anderlecht this summer for €3m. The Serbia international featured six times for Milan’s first team but he departed in search of regular first team football and he’s already established himself at centre-back for Anderlecht.