Gavi third, Güler eighth – Who are the most valuable U21 players in LaLiga in 2025?

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New top 10 revealed 

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While the Premier League may be the richest league in European football, few could doubt that LaLiga still lays claim to many of the top players in the sport. Whether it be Barcelona, Real Madrid or even Atlético Madrid, the Spanish top-flight can certainly match any of the top continental leagues for sheer star power. And in many ways the Iberian nation now thrives on identifying and developing the young players that will surely go on to become the very best in the world. 

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Indeed, both Barcelona and Real Madrid have changed their transfer strategies in recent years, turning away from big-money signings of older players and instead focus on snapping up the best young talents around the world. As such, LaLiga has some of the most exciting players aged 21 or younger in the world. And following the recent Transfermarkt market value update of the Spanish top-flight on Friday, we can now present the top 10 most valuable players in that age range in LaLiga. 

To no great surprise, the top 10 list is dominated by prospects at both LaLiga giants and even the top spot on the list has come down to a matter of age between Barcelona and Real Madrid’s best players. In first place is Lamine Yamal with a remarkable market value of €180 million, beating Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham to top spot on account of him being four years younger. A similar tussle took place for third place, where Barca central defender Pau Cubarsí stepped above his team mate Gavi due to him being two years younger than the central midfielder. And, following a €10m drop in market value in the latest market value update, Gavi now has to settle for fourth on the list. 

Fifth place goes to yet another Barca prodigy in the form of Alejandro Balde, who enjoyed a €10m increase in market value to €60m. This now means that the left-back has gained a remarkable €20m in market value since the start of the season and now comfortably sits in fifth place. Just below him in sixth and seventh place are Atlético Madrid and Barcelona midfielders Pablo Barrios and Fermín Lopez. Both players have the same market value and age so are effectively tied in sixth place. 

In eighth place is Türkiye and Real Madrid star Arda Güler with a market value of €45m, who remains the most valuable player from his nation and the third most valuable player both in 2005. However, following a lack of game time in the Spanish capital, the young playmaker’s market value has stalled for much of this season. And with 18-year-old Real Madrid talent Endrick sitting on a market value of €40m and Barcelona’s 21-year-old midfield star Marc Casadó already up to €30m after impressive performances this season, Güler could find himself pushed out of the top 10 by the start of next season unless things quickly turn in his favour.