Barcelona's teenage winger Lamine Yamal could cost about £340m to buy, according to a Swiss research group which has assessed the value of leading players. The CIES Football Observatory has calculated the 17-year-old would command a fee of 400m euros - close to double Neymar's world-record transfer of 222m euros from Barcelona to Paris St-Germain in 2017.

Early Career and Achievements

The Spain youngster became the fifth-youngest player to make his La Liga debut aged 15 years and nine months. He has scored 23 more goals than eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi had at the same age. Yamal played a key role in Spain's Euro 2024 success - winning young player of the tournament and goal of the tournament - as well as lifting two La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey with Barcelona.

Golden Boy Award

He won last year's Golden Boy award, given to the best player in Europe aged under 21. The six-year deal he signed with the Catalan club last week includes a one billion euro buy-out clause.

Statistical Model and Valuation

"This extraordinary figure is linked to equally extraordinary performances achieved at an age - 18 in July - when most players, even the best, are just starting out at professional level," the study's reports said. Its researchers work out the values of players using a statistical model it has created based on thousands of transactions over the past decade. Yamal's value was increased by having recently signed the new contract.

Comparisons with Other Stars

Yamal, who turns 18 in July, is valued at £140m more than Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, 24 - who is in second place at €240m (£200m). Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham is the most valuable England player on the list at €234m (£197m) with team-mate Kylian Mbappe landing a valuation of €193m (£162m). Making up the top five is Bayern Munich and Germany forward Jamal Musiala, with a value of €155m (£130m).

Top 10 Most Valuable Players

1. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) £340m
2. Erling Haaland (Man City) £200m
3. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) £197m
4. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) £162m
5. Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) £130m
6. Pedri (Barcelona) £121m
7. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) £109.7m
8. Cole Palmer (Chelsea) £106.5m
9. Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid) £106m
10. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) £103m

Future Prospects

With such a staggering valuation, Lamine Yamal is not just a player but a phenomenon in the making. His journey from a young debutant to one of the most valuable players in the world is a testament to his skill, dedication, and the high expectations set by his performances.