Colwill up to €55m 

©TM/IMAGO

The Premier League is widely considered as the strongest league in world football at this moment in time – it has the highest cumulative value of any league by some distance. Given the pressure for managers to get instant results in the English top-flight, at times opportunities for younger players are limited, but there are still a group of elite youngsters taking to the Premier League like a duck to water.

In the latest Premier League market value update on December 16, the league decreased its total value by the small sum of -€11.5 million, but still stayed at a grand total of €11.75 billion, but with lots of rises for the leagues youthful talents. But who are the top 10 most valuable U21 players in the Premier League right now? 

1. Rasmus Højlund – Manchester United – 21 years old – €60m: The most valuable U21 player in the Premier League right now is 21-year-old Man United striker Rasmus Højlund. The Dane will turn 22 in February and was signed by the Red Devils in the 2023 summer for €73.9m. He has failed to set the Premier League alight since joining, and actually received a -€5m market value downgrade in this December’s update. However, he already has 23 Man United goals, and if he can continue to mature could develop into a top no.9 at Old Trafford.

2. Leny Yoro – Manchester United – 19 years old – €55m: Unfortunately Leny Yoro’s Manchester United career hasn’t got going yet, after picking up an ankle injury in pre-season. The Frenchman has made just three appearances for the Red Devils so far, but now he is back fit, will be looking to become a regular in Ruben Amorim’s team and begin showing the immense form he was showcasing at Lille last season. Having only recently turned 19 years of age, time is on Yoro’s side.

3. Kobbie Mainoo – Manchester United – 19 years old – €55m: Kobbie Mainoo was one of the breakthrough stars in Europe last season. In a disappointing season for United, Mainoo shone and often looked their most composed player. He followed that up by becoming a key player for England at Euro 2024. This season, Mainoo has failed to play as an important role as he did towards the end of the last campaign, playing just 58% of United’s Premier League minutes, but he remains one of the most exciting young midfielders in the game. 

4. Savinho – Manchester City – 20 years old – €55m: Savinho lit up LaLiga with Girona last season, providing 19 direct goal contributions in the league alone. The Brazilian has already shown sparks of his talent, providing a superb assist in City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal. However, he has failed to properly spark his stamp on Pep Guardiola’s team yet, and will most probably take some time to adapt to the Premier League. At 20 years old, time is on his side, and Savinho received a +€5m market value upgrade in the December update – he will need to start bettering his numbers to keep that value.

5. Levi Colwill – Chelsea – 21 years old – €55m: Chelsea have been one of the success stories of the season, currently in second place behind Liverpool. And arguably their most consistent defender has been Englishman Levi Colwill. The 21 year old has also become a regular for his nation, and received a +€5m upgrade in this latest market value update. If the Blues keep up their current form, he could be on the rise again before the end of the season. 

6. Alejandro Garnacho – Manchester United – 20 years old – €50m: Alejandro Garnacho has had a mixed season so far for Man United. After being one of the shining lights last campaign, he has just three goals and one assist in 15 games in the Premier League this season, and was left out of United’s recent Manchester derby win due to ‘selection’ issues according to manager Amorim. He has become a regular in Argentina squads and still has a very bright future.

7. Rico Lewis – Manchester City – 20 years old – €40m: Rico Lewis made his England debut aged 18 in November 2023, and it was indicative of his start to life with the Man City first-team. The full-back, who is capable of inverting or even playing in midfield is one of the most highly regarded young players in Europe. Lewis received an +€18m increase in value back in last December’s market value update, and retains his value this time around.

8. Evan Ferguson – Brighton – 20 years old – €40m: Evan Ferguson broke onto the scene in the 2022/23 season, and scored six Premier League goals in his debut campaign in the English top-flight for Brighton. At the start of last season, he continued his progression, and scored six in just 11 starts, including a hat-trick against Newcastle, but has struggled for game-time since. The young Irish forward has been linked with many of Europe’s top clubs. Nevertheless, the lack of game-time has led to another -€5m decrease in market value for Ferguson.

9. Roméo Lavia – Chelsea – 20 years old – €40m: After a 2023/24 season ravaged by injury, Roméo Lavia has begun to show his class in a Chelsea shirt this term. The Belgian has played nine games for the Blues this season and has often shown great composure in tight areas to avoid the opposition’s press. Lavia received a +€5m upgrade and will be hoping for better luck when it comes to injuries this season to continue his development in West London.

10. Jhon Durán – Aston Villa – 21 years old – €40m: Jhon Durán has been one of the stories of the Premier League season so far, becoming one of the most lethal ‘super subs’ the division has ever seen. He has now even begun to take Ollie Watkins position and start games for Aston Villa. The Colombian has 11 goals in all competitions this season, and has been linked with a number of top clubs.