5 most valuable players under the age of 18 - October 2021

#3 Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) - €65 million

Bayer Leverkusen v Ferencvarosi TC: Group G - UEFA Europa League

The youngest player to reach 10 goals in the history of the Bundesliga, Florian Wirtz looks destined to become one of the best in the business. He joined Bayer Leverkusen from FC Cologne in 2020 and dropped plenty of glimpses of his genuine talent over the course of the 2020-21 season.

Wirtz has taken it up a couple of notches this term. Though he is primarily an attacking midfielder, the 18-year-old can play on either wing as well. He has been absolutely unstoppable so far this term and has scored six goals and provided five assists in just eight appearances across all competitions so far.

Wirtz is one of the main reasons why Bayer Leverkusen are tied on points with Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich right now. He has already made four senior appearances for the German national side. The way things are going, there's no doubt that several European giants are going to line up for his signature at the end of the season.

#2 Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund) - €70 million

Besiktas v Borussia Dortmund: Group C - UEFA Champions League

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham is yet another player whose talents belie his age. It was hard to believe he was all of 17-years-old as he bossed midfield battles in the UEFA Champions League last term. He did that against the likes of Sevilla and Manchester City.

Bellingham turned 18 in June earlier this year and represented England at Euro 2020. The teenage sensation who first turned heads with his performances for Birmingham City in the EFL Championship is a brilliant box-to-box midfielder.

He is effective on either side of the pitch and is currently one of Borussia Dortmund's most prized assets. Bellingham has received plenty of attention from other European giants as well and it can't be long before the rich clubs of his home country come knocking for him.

#1 Pedri (Barcelona) - €80 million

SL Benfica v FC Barcelona: Group E - UEFA Champions League

Pedri was one of the biggest revelations of the 2020-21 season. The diminutive midfielder, who joined from Las Palmas in the summer of 2020 is a player in the ilk of the great Xavis and Andres Iniestas.

The Spanish international is renowned for his vision, creativity and passing range and has been making waves ever since he first turned out for Barcelona. Pedri was named the Best Young Player of the Tournament at Euro 2020 for his heroics with the Spanish national team.

Barcelona announced on Thursday that they had agreed a new 5-year contract with Pedri. The teenager is now tied to the club until 2026 and has a club-record release clause of €1 billion.