Three PSG stars top 

Ben Seghir, Bouaddi & Co - The most valuable U21 Ligue 1 wonderkids

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Transfermarkt’s final Ligue 1 market value update of 2024 arrived on December 10th. A total of 306 players in the top-flight of French football had their valuations updated, including some prominent stars. Kang-in-Lee was the only PSG player to receive a market value upgrade with several stars dropping in value – PSG’s squad value dropped by €36 million overall.

Conversely, Lille were the biggest winners of the update with their squad value increasing by €32.45m, including wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi. The 17-year-old had the highest market value rise (€15m) of any player in Ligue 1 with the French U21 international enjoying his breakthrough season. Bouaddi now ranks amongst the top ten most valuable U21 players in Ligue 1, but which other wonderkids make the list? Let’s find out. 

The most valuable U21 stars in Ligue 1

Unsurprisingly, the three most valuable U21 starlets in Ligue 1 represent PSG but none of the trio received an upgrade during the update. João Neves and Warren Zaïre-Emery are tied at €60m but the latter is two years younger than his teammate so ranks first on the graphic below – Transfermarkt ranks players by age when they have the same valuation. 

Neves, however, has adapted superbly to life in the French capital with two goals and six assists in 18 games for PSG. Désiré Doué also moved to PSG this summer from Ligue 1 rivals Rennes and still ranks third but he’s failed to establish himself as a first-team regular with just 523 minutes across 15 appearances. Eliesse Ben Seghir has emerged as one of the brightest talents in France and the Monaco starlet was rewarded with a €12m upgrade to €30m. 

Rayan Cherki has been touted as a future star for years and he’s truly delivered on his potential this season with eight goal involvements in 15 games and the Lyon star has been upgraded by €10m. The aforementioned Bouaddi is now the fourth most valuable 17-year-old in the world and he ranks seventh in this list with the Lille star shining in back-to-back wins over the two Madrid giants in the Champions League. The only U21 starlet in the top ten list to receive a downgrade was Marseille’s Elye Wahi with the French striker only scoring twice in 12 games.