Neves hits €60m 

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Ligue 1 has developed a strong reputation for producing excellent young talents across the last decade or so leading to many of their young stars earning big-money moves abroad. Aurélien Tchouaméni, Victor Osimhen, Thomas Lemar, Tanguy Ndombélé, Anthony Martial and Nicolas Pépé have all departed the French top-flight for fees in excess of €50 million across the last ten years. There could be plenty of youngsters on the move again this season.

The now departed Kylian Mbappé has undoubtedly been the jewel in Ligue 1’s crown for the last few years, but the €180 million valued superstar has now left PSG for Spanish giants Real Madrid. Nevertheless, there is a new fleet of various youngsters emerging in the division with enormous potential. In Transfermarkt’s latest Ligue 1 market value update – which was released this Monday – many players received market value updates, and several young talents earned significant upgrades. We take a look at the current top 10 most valuable U21 stars in the French top-flight.

The top ten most valuable U21 players in Ligue 1

1. Warren Zaïre-Emery – PSG – 18 years old – €60m:

Warren Zaïre-Emery’s market value remained the same after the Ligue 1 update, but he remains the most valuable U21 starlet in the league. The 18-year-old has cemented his place as a first-team regular at PSG, making 43 appearances in all competitions under Luis Enrique last season.  The midfielder is  the second most valuable player in Ligue 1, after 22-year-old PSG teammate Bradley Barcola who is now worth €65m. He is also the second most valuable player in the world aged 18 or under, only behind Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal (€120m).

2. João Neves – PSG – 20 years old – €60m:

Whilst this PSG team may not be littered with superstars like they have in recent years, their biggest transfer this summer came in signing Benfica midfielder João Neves. The Parisians paid €59.35m for the Portuguese midfielder, and the talented 20 year old saw his market value rise by +€5m in the latest update to take his new value to €60m. The holding midfield player already has five assists in seven Ligue 1 games for PSG this season. 

3. Désiré Doué – PSG – 19 years old – €40m:

Désiré Doué thrived last season under Rennes boss Julien Stéphan. The 18-year-old registered eight league goal contributions since December and became a pivotal player to Rennes. Doué’s form earned him a summer move to PSG worth €50m, which has helped earn the talented teenager a +€10m upgrade to a new market value of €40m. He has already made six appearances for the Parisians this season, with just one assist to his name so far.

4. Lucas Beraldo – PSG – 20 years old – €30m:

PSG’s transfer policy has shifted recently as they’ve moved away from signing established superstars and focused more on bringing in younger talents. Lucas Beraldo represents this approach and his market value has increased by a +€10m since the Parisians signed him last January. PSG paid Sao Paulo €20m for him last January, and following a serious injury to Lucas Hernández, the Brazilian gained more game-time during last term’s run-in. He has made five appearances in Ligue 1 so far this season.

5. Elye Wahi – Marseille – 21 years old – €30m:

Marseille striker Elye Wahi, signed from Lens this summer for €25m, received a =€5m downgrade to a new market value of €30m. The French striker netted 12 goals in all competitions last season, including a superb strike in the Champions League against Arsenal. The France U21 international remains a fascinating prospect, but has now had three different clubs in the last three seasons, with some question marks being raised about the player’s attitude.

6. Youssoufa Moukoko – Nice – 19 years old – €20m:

Teenage striker Youssoufa Moukoko already seems like he has been around for years, after becoming Borussia Dortmund’s youngest ever player when he made his debut back 2020 the day after his 16th birthday. However the striker has struggled to develop in Germany, and was allowed to leave on loan to head to France this summer. He has two goals and one assist for Nice in Ligue 1 so far this season, making a good start to life at his new club.

7. Habib Diarra – Strasbourg – 20 years old – €20m:

Habib Diarra’s market value increased by +€15m across 2023, and rose a further +€2m in the latest Ligue 1 market value update to take his value to €20m. The Senegalese attacking midfielder scored four goals and registered two assists in 35 games last season and remains Strasbourg’s joint most valuable player alongside on-loan goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.

8. Rayan Cherki – Lyon – 21 years old – €20m:

Rayan Cherki has been tipped for greatness since his progression through Lyon’s academy. The enigmatic attacking midfielder made his Champions League debut aged just 16 and he’s often carried the weight of expectation at Lyon. However, his progress has slightly halted. The 20-year-old delivered just eight goal contributions in 29 games for a struggling Lyon last term and he remains a tremendous talent, but is maybe not quite on the astronomic path predicted in his teenage years.

9. Guillaume Restes – Toulouse – 19 years old – €18m:

One of the most exciting young goalkeepers in Europe, Guillaume Restes maintained his €18m market value to keep him by far the most valuable teenage keeper in the world. He has been an ever present for Toulouse last season and this season, and could perhaps have felt disappointed not to have been included in France’s squad for the Euros in the summer. There is expected to be plenty of interest in the young shot-stopper in the upcoming transfer windows.

10. Eliesse Ben Seghir – Monaco – 19 years old – €18m:

Monaco are currently sitting in first place in Ligue 1, and their teenage winger Eliesse Ben Seghir has played a big part. The Moroccan has scored two and assisted two in seven league games, and received a +€3m market value upgrade to take his worth to €18m. He is already the ninth most valuable player at Monaco and has begun to gain interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.