5 most valuable under-23 forwards in the world right now (2021)

Football clubs have seen massive changes in their approach to the transfer market over the years. More sides opt to invest healthy sums in young and rising stars, especially the big, title-contending European teams.

It's not surprising then that four of the ten most expensive players of all time were aged 23 or under at the time of their transfers. With so many talented young guns coming to the fore every season, the trend is all set to continue now.

Based on current market values, here's a look at the five most valuable attackers under the age of 23:

Note: All stats and market values are as per Transfermarkt.

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#5 Joao Felix - £63 million

Felix has already won two league titles and one international trophy.

This might come as a surprise to see Joao Felix on this list. That's because the 21-year-old hasn't fully played to his potential for Atletico Madrid since joining the Rojiblancos on a record fee from Benfica two years ago.

He has gone 19 games across competitions without scoring for his club. However, considering his young years and the promise he holds, the Portuguese winger remains a valuable prospect.

Following a difficult start to life in Madrid, Felix improved last season, scoring seven goals and assisting six more times. That helped the Rojiblancos win their first La Liga title in seven years. Felix's best, though, is yet to come.

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#4 Marcus Rashford - £76.5 million

From academy prospect to superstar role model

Marcus Rashford hasn't looked back since bursting onto the scene as a promising young 18-year-old in the Europa League in 2015. Currently, his Manchester United goal tally stands at 91 goals and 57 assists across competitions.

Since the start of 2019-20, though, he has tallied 81 goal contributions - 51 goals and 30 assists. Only two other wingers - Mohamed Salah and Jadon Sancho - have had more goal contributions in this period than Rashford.

With his electric pace, close control, proficient dribbles and devastating finishing skills, the 24-year-old has all the attributes of a classic winger. He has grown into a talismanic figure of sorts, both on and off the pitch. The best part is that, there's still room for improvement.

#3 Jadon Sancho - £81 million

Sancho is looking to recapture his mojo at Manchester United.

Jadon Sancho caught everyone's imagination with his meteoric rise to stardom at Borussia Dortmund. He had arrived at BvB from Manchester City four years ago. With 50 goals and 64 assists in 137 games for the Bundesliga giants, Sancho announced himself as a world-class winger.

However, since joining Manchester United this summer, his stock has fallen. The Englishman is yet to open his account for the club after 13 games across competitions. Nevertheless, the 21-year-old remains an immensely talented prospect, and still has time to turn things around.

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#2 Erling Haaland - £135 million

Haaland is widely touted as a future Ballon d'Or winner

Has there been a player less destined for greatness than Erling Haaland? The Norwegian has improved by leaps and bounds since his emergence on the European stage with RB Salzburg two years ago.

Now at Borussia Dortmund, the Norwegian sharpshooter has refined his talents. He has enhanced his already frightening goalscoring rate with 70 goals in 69 games, along with 19 assists, for BvB across competitions.

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#1 Kylian Mbappe - £144 million

Mbappe's accomplishments at 21 can put seasoned professionals to shame.

It hasn't been the most prolific start to his 2021-22 campaign for Kylian Mbappe, but he remains as valuable to PSG as ever. Despite his injury woes and exit rumours, the Frenchman has bagged six goals and eight assists across competitions this season.

Kylian Mbappe won his sixth Ligue 1 Player of the Month award in August earlier this year. That helped him break a tie with Zlatan Ibrahimovic (five), in the process.

Earlier this month, the 22-year-old made up for a poor outing at Euro 2020 with talismanic displays in France's victorious UEFA Nations League campaign. He helped Les Blues to the title with a goal and assist apiece in the semi-final and final.