Yildiz, Scalvini & Co – The most valuable U21 wonderkids in Serie A

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Future stars 

©TM/IMAGO

The final Serie A market value update of 2024 was released on Wednesday afternoon with 580 players receiving updates. It’s been a thrilling first half of the season in the Italian top-flight with just six points separating the top five clubs. Atalanta currently lead the way but Inter Milan remain favourites to retain their Scudetto with Antonio Conte reviving Napoli’s fortunes as he aims to win a historic title with a third different club.

Europa League holders Atalanta and surprise package Fiorentina enjoyed significant market value upgrades, while the valuations of Roma and AC Milan’s squads moved in the opposite direction. Despite AC’s overall valuation dropping, Tijjani Reijnders enjoyed the biggest market value rise of €20 million to €50m with Manchester City tracking the Dutch midfielder. Serie A isn’t renowned for developing youngsters to the level of Ligue 1 or the Bundesliga but some talented starlets have emerged. And we’ve analysed the most valuable U21 stars plying their trade in the Italian top-flight.

Kenan Yildiz has been Juventus’ shining light this season and the 19-year-old remains the most valuable U21 player in Serie A at €45m. Yildiz had nine goal contributions in 23 games after an impressive Euro 2024 with Turkey and he was rewarded with a €5m upgrade. Giorgio Scalvini has returned to full fitness this season and the Atalanta star remain the second most valuable player at €45m. Meanwhile, Bologna have failed to replicate their achievements of last season but Santiago Castro has excelled and he received a €7m upgrade and now ranks third.

As the graphic above illustrates, three players are tied at €20m – Patrick Dorgu, Nico Paz and Ange-Youan Bonny. Dorgu joined Leece in 2023 with his market value at €200k but it soared to €20m in the last month while Paz’s market value has doubled since moving to Como from Real Madrid in the summer.