Who are the ten best young players that teams just cannot afford to lose…
Liverpool and Juventus are both facing a battle to keep hold of their star player this year. The Reds are locked in ongoing contract talks with 20-year-old winger Raheem Sterling, while the Italian champions are attempting to dissuade interest in central midfielder Paul Pogba, 21.
SEE MORE:
Ten Young Players To Watch Out For In 2015, Including Arsenal New Boy Krystian Bielik & Sporting Lisbon Wonderkid Ryan Gauld
Top Ten Young Players On The Move In January Transfer Window, With Big Liverpool And Man United Deals
Liverpool transfer news
Reports in the Daily Mirror confirm that Sterling has turned down a second offer to extend his stay at Anfield, while the same paper believes that Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have joined the race for £75m-rated Pogba.
Despite their young age, these two players are ranked among the very best in European football, with their immense potential only serving to increase their value. Below, we count down the ten most valuable young players – aged 21 or under – in the world.
Click through the list to see where Sterling and Pogba rank:
10) Martin Odegaard (Real Madrid)
The 16-year-old Norwegian international was one of the most sought after talents in world football prior to him putting pen to paper on a deal with the European Champions. His potential is limitless.
9) Mauro Icardi (Inter Milan)
The 21-year-old Argentine has been one of the stand-out players in an otherwise difficult period in Inter Milan’s history. The Italian giants ongoing absence from Champions League football could cost them Icardi in the future.
8) Marquinhos (Paris Saint Germain)
Despite his young age, the 20-year-old defender has not looked out of place in a squad that also includes the likes of Thiago Silva and David Luiz – two of the most expensive defenders in transfer history.
7) Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven)
The 20-year-old winger has been highly impressive since making the step up to first-team football in 2011, scoring 28 times in 75 league games for PSV. He’s also earned 13 international caps, scoring twice.
6) Ross Barkley (Everton)
The England international came to prominence last season, when he forced his way into the England World Cup squad. Now a highly valued player for both club and county, the powerful midfielder is looking to succeed even further, despite a difficult season for Everton.
5) Julian Draxler (Schalke 04)
The 21-year-old wide-man has already made in excess of 100 league appearances for his club side, scoring 17 times, while also picking up 15 caps for his country, scoring once in a 4-3 defeat to the USA.
4) Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Bilbao)
The highly rated defender might not yet have force his way into the France squad, but he’s an established player for his club side, for whom he has made 66 league appearances – helping them reach the Champions League group stage this season.
3) Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
Another Frenchman plying his trade in Spain, the Champions League winning centre back already has 17 caps for his country and played an important part in a run to the World Cup quarter-finals last summer.
2) Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
The Liverpool starlet played second fiddle to Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge last season, but there’s been no doubting who the main man is so far this season. The 20-year-old is a key man for both club and country.
1) Paul Pogba (Juventus)
The former Manchester United youth team graduate started his career slowly at Old Trafford, but it’s been a completely different story since his move to Turin – with three consecutive league titles. He’s also an established French international.