Seven best wonderkids in world football from Sporting ace to Barcelona sensation
The summer transfer window is open and Europe's top clubs are all looking to sign football's next big thing.
Signing a wonderkid is a surefire way to excite the fanbase, but they're not without risk. For every Jadon Sancho or Cesc Fabregas there's a Freddy Adu or a Ravel Morrison.
And then there's the price. Wolves paid £35million to sign 18-year-old Fabio Silva from Porto in 2020, while Eduardo Camavinga is expected to fetch upwards of £30million this summer.
Daily Star Sport have taken a look at seven of the most exciting wonderkids in world football, some of whom could end up in the Premier League very soon indeed.
Ansu Fati, Barcelona
Ansu Fati is the heir apparent to Lionel Messi at Barcelona – and he's already breaking records.
The 18-year-old holds the record for Barcelona’s youngest-ever league goalscorer, the Champions League’s youngest-ever goalscorer and Spain's youngest-ever goalscorer.
His development has been stifled somewhat by a knee injury picked up against Real Betis last October, but he should be fit and raring to go for the new La Liga season.
Pedri, Barcelona
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Barcelona should be thanking their lucky stars that although they're experiencing financial issues, they do at least still have a thriving academy.
If Fati is the heir to Messi's throne, then Pedri is the next Andres Iniesta. Indeed, Pedri's relationship with the Argentine has been one of the most eye-catching things about his play.
Also aged 18, he made 52 appearances for Barcelona last season, and if his game-winning performances for Spain at Euro 2020 were anything to go by, he's in for a huge campaign.
Eduardo Camavinga, Rennes
Rennes midfielder Eduardo Camavinga burst onto the scenes 18 months ago with an all-action display against Paris Saint-Germain – and he hasn't looked back since.
Comfortable as both a defensive midfielder or a box-to-box shuttler, the youngster thrived for Rennes last season, earning himself three international caps with France.
The continent's top clubs, including Real Madrid and Manchester United, are all interested in the 18-year-old, who has less than 12 months left to run on his contract.
Gio Reyna, Borussia Dortmund
Whisper it quietly, but the United States are starting to produce some genuine world class players – not least Giovanni Reyna.
Son of former Manchester City star Claudio, Gio joined Borussia Dortmund in 2019, making 18 appearances in his debut season.
That was increased to 45 games last term, with the 18-year-old attacker producing an impressive seven goals and seven assists.
He has bundles of talent and could be given even more of a platform to shine following team-mate Jadon Sancho's move to Manchester United.
Ryan Gravenberch, Ajax
"He is the new Paul Pogba," Justin Kluivert said of his former team-mate Ryan Gravenberch when speaking to DAZN 12 months ago.
And you know what? He might be right. Gravenberch is the latest star off the production line at the Ajax academy, and he's a proper Rolls Royce of a player.
Having followed in the footsteps of the iconic Clarence Seedorf to become the youngster player in the club's history in 2018, the 19-year-old made 47 appearances last season, scoring five goals.
Jamal Musiala, Bayern Munich
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Jamal Musiala is one of a number of players who have swapped the Premier League for the Bundesliga in recent seasons, and his decision isn't working out badly at all.
Musiala went from the club's U17s on the opening day of the 2019-20 season to holding the record for Bayern Munich's youngest debutant and the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history.
He made 37 appearances for the German giants last season, scoring seven goals. Not bad for a player who turned 18 in February.
Nuno Mendes, Sporting Lisbon
The Sporting Lisbon academy has produced plenty of stars over the years, not least Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo.
Left-back Nuno Mendes is the latest to make the breakthrough after making 35 appearances last season, alerting the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Real Madrid to his talents.
When he made his debut in June 2020, he became the youngest player to start a game for Sporting since Ronaldo himself.
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