When Atlético de Madrid executed Samuel Omorodion’s buyout clause this past August, they knew that few players were as worthy of a six million dollar investment as he was. Because of his physical conditions (strength, wingspan, height, power), his finishing potential, his status as a community player (born in Spain) and his youth (2004), he represented a transfer of great value, which could multiply exponentially in a short period of time.
In this analysis we are going to compile a list of young players with enormous potential belonging to winning clubs in secondary leagues that live off the revaluation of players or clubs with a lower status in powerful leagues that are looking to sell in order to obtain a financial return on growing players. Although it is obviously more difficult to revalue and multiply the value of a centre-back or defensive midfielder, we will look for different profiles with a great capacity to revalue themselves in the future and be worth much more than they are worth today.
Maximilian Beier – 2002 – Hoffenheim – 2 million euros market value
Coming out of Hoffenheim’s academy, Maximilian Beier has started the 23/24 Bundesliga season showing enough technical and finishing potential to make it into Julian Nagelsmann’s plans. A striker with great mobility to mix movements in space, to win finishing positions to the centre-backs and to play on the outside. Technically very accurate in all kinds of situations and a good finisher from crosses, Beier can be worth much more than what it would cost today to sign him from Hoffenheim. He averages 2.25 shots per goal, a figure difficult to meet in the long term but with an innate talent for finishing and shooting.
Javi Guerra – 2003 – Valencia – 2 million euros market value
One of the big breakthroughs at a club with many sporting and financial difficulties like Valencia. Javi Guerra has a physical condition and an attacking game focused on determination, individual play and shooting. A player who could be worth a lot of money in the future after acquiring him for a much lower price. 30% completion rate in his shots this season. Midfielder with particularities highly valued outside the Spanish league and with a very high margin of progression.
Antonio Nusa – 2005 – Club Brugge – 4 million euros market value.
Another great Norwegian talent who has already produced some fine performances for the senior national team, Antonio Nusa is breaking his own mould at the start of the season. Although he is currently suffering from a month-long injury, Nusa has taken over the starting berth and is the best player in the Belgian league according to our internal Score. An unpredictable player with fantastic individual technique to invent with the ball always close to his foot for dribbling and deep movements into the box.
Lucas Gourna-Douath – 2003 – Red Bull Salzburg – Market value 12 million euros
Outside of Europe’s top leagues, all clubs keep a close eye on RB Salzburg’s new talent, even at youth level. Their extraordinary scouting network manages to find and develop players almost routinely. One of the latest is 20-year-old French midfielder Lucas Gourna – Douath. A very complete midfielder, very calm at all moments of the game, with good technique to intercept both low and in the aerial duel and with great individual resources to break the rival pressure and help in creative work in the opponent’s half. Player with physical and technical conditions capable of multiplying his value in future markets.
Leny Yoro – 2005 – Lille – 10 million euros market value
At the age of 17, Leny Yoro has already made several starts at the back for Lille, where he has shown an enormous security in all kinds of duels (he wins 69% of them), both in the opposition half and defending the right back, both in the low duel and in the aerial duel (he wins 75% of the aerial duels). A player who, despite being a central defender, has a great margin for revaluation by making an early investment. Already played more than 800 minutes at the age of 16 in Ligue 1 22/23.
Desire Doue – 2005 – Rennes – 15 million euros market value
The perfect mould of today’s midfielder. Versatile, gifted with a great physique and wingspan for dueling and intense pressing, Desire Doue was already one of the youngsters who made the biggest impact in Ligue 1 21/22. Talented at winning the ball back and getting into the box by dribbling or driving, he has a great shot and can add to the attack. On the radar of big clubs, he will be an extraordinary opportunity even if he costs much more than his market value.
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