8) Gianluigi Donnarumma - €40.5m
It's almost ironic that the one to eventually replace Gianluigi Buffon between the sticks for Italy would be his namesake. Gianluigi Donnarumma has already turned heads with his performances for AC Milan last season. The fact that he has already made the position his own at the age of 18 makes it even more remarkable.
Having made his debut at 16, Donnarumma played every game for Milan in Serie A last season. With incredible shot-stopping reflexes for a player who was 6'5", Donnarumma has already been vetted by Buffon who said he was a goalkeeper with "extraordinary physical and mental qualities".
Super agent Mino Raiola almost ruined his career even before it had a chance to get underway when he flirted with Juventus but Donnarimma has since pledged his future to Milan who convinced him that he would reap the benefits of their new project at San Siro.
Donnarumma easily has two decades more left in him if he keeps himself fit and a transfer in the future could shatter the world record for a goalkeeper.