Arsenal Dragon
Ten Most Valuable U23 Players In the Premier League
The Premier League providing the world with some of the most talented players in the beautiful game is not unheard of. The world’s most glamorous football league is and was also once the home for great players who have emerged through with their world-class talent.
With the current transfer market experiencing an inflationary trend like never before, here we look at Premier League’s ten most valuable U23 players, in terms of their market value.
Photo by Fikri Rasyid on Unsplash
10. Dejan Kulusevski, 21 – Tottenham Hotspur
Having only just arrived from Juventus on loan, Swedish international Kulusevski is already making a mark in North London. The enigmatic winger has already been called ‘young Salah’ due to his effectiveness on the flanks. He emerged from the youth ranks of Atalanta but the Bianconeri were quick to snap and provide him a platform.
Transfermarkt value: €35m
09. Pedro Neto, 22 – Wolverhampton Wanderers
Portuguese winger Neto is another one of Wolves’ up and coming players from the Iberian Peninsula. Wolves came along and handed him a long-term contract after subpar spells at boyhood club Braga and Lazio. His debut season in the Premier League was the breakthrough campaign for him and has since established himself as a starter at the club.
Transfermarkt value: €35m
08. Gabriel Martinelli, 20 – Arsenal
Brazilian forward Martinelli is the well-deserved subject of praise from Arsenal and Brazil fans, for all the right reasons. The Gunners youngster is currently enjoying a great run of form due to more game time. He has 5 goals and 4 assists in 26 caps this season so far and does not look like slowing down anytime soon.
Transfermarkt value: €38m
07. Emile Smith Rowe, 21 – Arsenal
Emile Smith Rowe has come a long way from the Gunners’ youth teams to establish himself in the first team under Mikel Arteta. His direct style of play and impressive dribbling ability combined with his game intelligence and tactical understanding has all indications of a future big-game player. Former Manchester United legend David Beckham is his idol.
Transfermarkt value: €40m
06. Wesley Fofana, 21 – Leicester City
Marseille born Wesley Fofana jumped ship from St. Etienne to Leicester City in 2020 and has proved to be one of the Foxes’ best recent signings. He played a pivotal part in Leicester’s FA Cup win 2020/21, etching himself as a surefire starter in his debut Premier League season – making 38 appearances in total. However, injuries have now marred the 21-year-old’s progress.
Transfermarkt value: €40m
05. Reece James, 22 – Chelsea
Reece James was handed a new lease of life at Chelsea with the appointment of former great Frank Lampard in 2020/21 – his breakthrough season at Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea youth product is fast-paced, enigmatic wingback with the attitude of a brawler. He already has the UEFA Champions League to his name, along with a host of other accolades.
Transfermarkt value: €55m
04. Bukayo Saka, 20 – Arsenal
Although Saka was undeservingly pinpointed for England’s EURO 2020 penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Italy, his potential and abilities are known to be one of a kind. As one of Arsenal’s most valuable players and the player of the season in 2020/21, he is an influential part of the North London giants. The 20-year-old already has 14 England caps to his name.
Transfermarkt value: €65m
03. Kai Havertz, 22 – Chelsea
Chelsea paid €80m in 2020 for the services of Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen. It was a price tag that initially raised eyebrows, but the German U23 player was quick to shut out his critics and bad-mouthers – having scored the winning goals in the finals of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League and the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup.
Transfermarkt value: €70m
02. Jadon Sancho, 22 – Manchester United
The transfer saga between Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United came to a full stop in the summer of 2021, when the Red Devils parted ways with €85m for signing the highly-rated youngster. Nonetheless, Sancho has failed to live up to expectations so far, undoubtedly feeling the pressure of the price tag. We might just witness him burst into his best next season.
Transfermarkt value: €80m
01. Phil Foden, 21 – Manchester City
Considered to be one of the best young players in the world, Phil Foden has absolutely mesmerized fans and supporters by shining under Pep Guardiola.
Having excelled at Manchester City’s youth academy, he is the youngest English player to start in a Champions League match, aged just 17 years and 177 days. His greatest strength on the pitch is his versatility.
Transfermarkt value: €90m
Of all the Premier League clubs, Arsenal has the most representatives with three players, followed by two from Chelsea. Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Manchester United all have one representative each.
Liverpool’s absence is a shocker though, with their most valuable youngster – Curtis Jones – ranking just below Kulusevski in 11th place.
However, among the aforementioned clubs, the Reds are closing in on City to grab the title back to Anfield for the first time since 2018/19. But it is the Cityzens who are still favourites to win the title, according to the best sports betting sites affiliated with Asiabet, despite being just one point ahead of Liverpool with the final weeks approaching.
The stated resource allows one to delve into the exciting world of betting, mainly to understand the behind-the-scenes action of the ever-growing industry. Apart from football, information on sports such as Formula One, horse racing, tennis and badminton, among several others, can be accessed in real time.
Players, whether old or new, can also benefit from rewards and bonuses such as free bets, cash backs, accumulator schemes and loyalty points.
With clubs steadily investing in talent identification, recruitment, performance analysis and scouting, one can expect a whole new set of players to emerge into the spotlight not far in the near future.
Arsenal boss Renee Slegers has confirmed that Emily Fox is likely to miss Wednesday’s League Cup semi final clash with Manchester United after the defender suffered a head injury in the FA Cup win over Aston Villa.
The United States international came off in the 22nd minute of Arsenal’s 2-0 victory and was replaced by January signing Smilla Holmberg.
Fox has been an ever present figure in the Arsenal team this season, featuring in all 12 of their WSL clashes. Her absence for such a crucial semi final represents a significant blow to the Gunners, though Slegers will be hopeful that Fox can return for Arsenal’s vital WSL clash with Chelsea this weekend.
Slegers Taking Cautious Approach
The Arsenal manager explained the club’s careful handling of Fox’s injury. “We assessed her yesterday and today, and we just want to make really good decisions with Foxy. It’s looking likely she won’t be in the squad tomorrow, and then we will assess her again tomorrow and the day after. That’s where we’re at now with Foxy.”
This is the right approach from Slegers, who cannot afford to rush Fox back and risk a more serious injury. Head injuries must be treated with extreme caution, and Arsenal are sensibly prioritizing the player’s long term health over short term results.
Holmberg Could Start Against United
Fox’s absence will likely present a chance for new signing Holmberg to start against the Red Devils. The Swedish defender impressed after coming on against Villa and will be eager to prove herself in such a high profile fixture.
Slegers also confirmed that goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar will be in the squad after missing matches since November 19, while Leah Williamson remains unavailable.
Arsenal face a hectic schedule with the League Cup, Chelsea in the WSL, and the Women’s Champions Cup all upcoming.
Also read: Renee Slegers Signs New Arsenal Contract Until 2029 After Champions League Glory
Arsenal Dragon
Arsenal Star Katie McCabe Attracting NWSL Interest as Contract Expires This Summer With High Impact Player Rule Making Move Financially Viable
Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe is being closely monitored by National Women’s Soccer League clubs ahead of a pivotal summer for Arsenal. Several NWSL sides have shown ongoing interest for the past 18 months, fully aware that McCabe’s Arsenal deal expires at the end of the season.
The situation places McCabe at an important crossroads in her career. Having tasted Champions League triumph last summer, she wants to compete at the top level and that ambition will inevitably shape any decision she makes. Arsenal face losing one of their most recognizable figures unless they act quickly.
Ten Arsenal Stars Out of Contract
McCabe is not the only high profile name at Arsenal approaching the end of her current deal. The club has a staggering number of senior players out of contract this summer including Stina Blackstenius, Kim Little, Leah Williamson, Caitlin Foord, Beth Mead, Laia Codina, Steph Catley, Victoria Pelova and Manuela Zinsberger.
This list is frankly ridiculous for a club of Arsenal’s stature. Several of these players form the core of the team and have played key roles in recent domestic and European success. Decisions made by the club and by the players themselves will shape the direction of the squad moving forward, and Arsenal cannot afford to lose multiple stars simultaneously.
High Impact Player Rule Changes Game
The introduction of the NWSL High Impact Player rule in July is already influencing how clubs view potential signings from Europe. The rule allows NWSL clubs to exceed the league’s salary cap by up to $1 million for high impact players, making moves for European stars like McCabe financially viable.
For now, McCabe remains focused on finishing the season strongly with Arsenal. Whether her future lies in north London or across the Atlantic will be one of the biggest stories to watch as summer approaches.
Also read: What Is The NWSL High Impact Player Rule and Who Could Be The First To Benefit From It?
Arsenal captain Leah Williamson has been announced as a National Year of Reading ambassador following the official launch of the 2026 campaign at Emirates Stadium.
The Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson unveiled the Go All In initiative on January 13, positioning reading as a gateway to enhancing passions across all walks of life.
Williamson joined a stellar lineup of ambassadors including author Julia Donaldson, illustrator Axel Scheffler, poet Jackie Kay, and several other prominent figures from literature and public life. The event marked a significant moment for literacy promotion in the country, with the campaign centred on the message that reading can deepen enjoyment of whatever people already love.
A Message From the Pitch
Speaking at the launch, Williamson drew parallels between football and reading. She said the National Year of Reading represents a chance to fully commit to personal passions through literature in all its forms. The Arsenal skipper encouraged people to seize the opportunity by picking up books, listening to audiobooks, or diving into articles related to their interests. Her involvement underscores how sports figures can champion reading beyond their professional domains.
Resetting Reading Culture
Joanna Prior, chief executive of Pan Macmillan and chair of The National Literacy Trust, described the launch as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform how Britain views books.
The ambition extends beyond traditional reading spaces, aiming to make literature accessible in communities, schools, and even on football pitches. Prior emphasized stripping away pressure and stigma around reading, making it relevant and enjoyable rather than obligatory.
The campaign represents a coordinated national effort to boost literacy rates and foster a genuine love of reading across all demographics and age groups throughout 2026.
Also read: Jodie Taylor Appointed Arsenal Women’s First Ever Technical Director
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