Discover the 10 most valuable U17 footballers in the world right now. Based on the latest Transfermarkt ranking, the list features teenage prospects from Arsenal, Club Tijuana, Bayer Leverkusen and several other major talent-producing clubs.
Football clubs are scouting younger than ever, and a number of players aged 17 or under already carry eight-figure market values. The current group is made up mainly of footballers born between 2008 and 2010.
According to Transfermarkt’s latest U17 ranking (updated: August 29, 2026), the leading names are spread across the Premier League, Bundesliga, Liga MX, MLS and other competitions. Transfermarkt market values are estimates rather than transfer fees, but they provide a useful snapshot of how highly each prospect is rated.
Top 10 Most Valuable U17 Footballers (Transfermarkt Data)
Here is the current top 10, ordered by Transfermarkt market value:
| # | Player | Position | Age | Nationality | Club | Market Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Dowman | Right Winger | 16 | England | Arsenal | €30.00m |
| 2 | Gilberto Mora | Attacking Midfield | 17 | Mexico | Club Tijuana | €25.00m |
| 3 | Kennet Eichhorn | Defensive Midfield | 17 | Germany | Bayer Leverkusen | €20.00m |
| 4 | Wael Mohya | Attacking Midfield | 17 | Germany / Morocco | Borussia Mönchengladbach | €17.00m |
| 5 | Jeremy Monga | Left Winger | 17 | England / Zambia | Manchester City | €15.00m |
| 6 | Brian Madjo | Centre-Forward | 17 | England / Luxembourg | Aston Villa | €12.00m |
| 7 | Believe Munongo | Central Midfield | 16 | France / DR Congo | FC Metz | €10.00m |
| 8 | Jorge Domínguez | Centre-Back | 16 | Spain / Congo | Atlético Madrid U19 | €8.00m |
| 9 | Adri Mehmeti | Central Midfield | 17 | United States / Albania | New York Red Bulls | €6.00m |
| 10 | Aleksa Damjanovic | Centre-Forward | 17 | Serbia / Austria | Bayer Leverkusen U19 | €5.00m |
Who Is the Most Valuable U17 Player?
Max Dowman currently leads Transfermarkt’s U17 ranking. The Arsenal right winger is valued at €30.00m, making him the most valuable player aged 17 or under in the database.
Dowman’s rise has been rapid. He became Arsenal’s youngest-ever senior player and was later listed by Transfermarkt at €20.00m before his valuation increased to €30.00m in June 2026.
Mexico international Gilberto Mora sits second at €25.00m after establishing himself with Club Tijuana and attracting wider attention at senior international level. Germany’s Kennet Eichhorn, now with Bayer Leverkusen, completes the top three at €20.00m.
Further down the ranking, Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Wael Mohya is valued at €17.00m, while former Leicester prospect Jeremy Monga is now on Manchester City’s books and valued at €15.00m.
Brian Madjo remains one of Aston Villa’s most highly rated young forwards. Believe Munongo, Jorge Domínguez, Adri Mehmeti and Aleksa Damjanovic complete a list that now stretches well beyond the traditional group of elite European first teams.
Famous 16-Year-Old Wonderkids in Football History
Football history is full of prodigies who captured the world’s attention at just 16.
Some went on to become legends. Wayne Rooney famously scored a stunning Premier League goal against Arsenal at 16, while Cesc Fàbregas became Arsenal’s youngest-ever first-team player.
Martin Ødegaard made global headlines when he signed for Real Madrid at 16, while Lamine Yamal broke a succession of records for Barcelona and Spain before turning 18.
However, being highly valued as a teenager does not guarantee a successful senior career. Former “next big things” such as Freddy Adu and Hachim Mastour struggled to fulfil the expectations placed on them. That uncertainty is part of what makes following today’s U17 prospects so compelling.
Who Is the Most Valuable Football Player in the World Right Now?
Transfermarkt currently places Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland joint-top of the global ranking at €220.00m. Kylian Mbappé follows at €200.00m.
Yamal’s position at the top at only 19 underlines how quickly an elite prospect can move from a youth ranking into football’s highest-value bracket. Haaland’s valuation also rose to €220.00m after Transfermarkt’s post-2026 World Cup update.
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