Away from the Neymars and Coutinhos, the continent’s top clubs are increasingly targeting players between 16 and 18, such as Jadon Sancho and Willem Geubbels
Jadon Sancho’s move last summer from Manchester City to Borussia Dortmund made a clear statement: here was an elite prospect who would no longer wait patiently for an opportunity to play senior football.
Sancho exploded on to the scene at youth international level last year while also proving his quality for City’s various development squads and the reason the 17‑year‑old swapped England for Germany was clear: he felt he was ready to play first-team football. It was a statement that resonated around Europe.
Related: How Premier League starlets are cutting ties and going to Germany and Portugal
Yacine Adli The shaggy-haired, silky-skilled France midfielder has dazzled at Under-17 level for France and in the Uefa Youth League with Paris St-Germain. His contract is set to expire in the summer.
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