Costly kids – the best European youth footballing talents

Forget English Sterling, these top Euro wonderkids would cost loads of dosh the way they're playing

Paco Alcacer, 21, Valencia

With the faltering Fernando Torres now dropped from Spain's squad, the former World Champions have replaced him with in-form Valencia hitman Paco Alcacer. The Spanish pocket rocket has not only banged in four goals in 8 matches in La Liga this season, but has also scored three times for the national team too. Si, senor!

Mateo Kovacic, 20, Inter

This young Croatian midfield schemer is an integral part of the Inter Milan engine room. He's smashed in two goals so far this season, while his 2.3 key passes per game puts him in the top 10 players in Italy, and his 3.7 dribbles per game is bettered by only two other players in Serie A!

Abdul Rahman Baba, 20, Augsburg

The marauding left-back already has three assists in Germany's top division to his name – despite playing at the back for mid-table Augsburg. He's also captain of the Ghana Under 20s, with his average of five tackles per game the best in the Bundesliga! No wonder several Premier League clubs have been reported as watching him… 

Memphis Depay, 20, PSV Eindhoven

The Dutch winger with a shot like a cannon has carried on from where he left off at the World Cup, when he scored two goals for Holland. He's already walloped in five strikes in five league appearances this season. His average of 4.8 shots per game is the highest in the Dutch Eredivisie, and he also has one cheeky assist.

Aymeric Laporte, 20, Athletic Club

Zut alors! French centre-back Aymeric Laporte is said to be interesting Barcelona after impressing in Spain's top division this year. He leads the league in interceptions, despite only being 20, while his 2.9 average tackles per game put him among the top defenders in La Liga too. A France Under 21 player, he's destined for big things!

[Of players under 21; stats from WhoScored.com on 23/10/14]