The Premier League has one representative in the top five.
The International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) has compiled a list of the top five most profitable academies in Europe since 2012, and a Premier League side have come out on top, reports ESPN.
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Here is the top five…
5- Borussia Dortmund (€43.5m)
Jurgen Klopp’s side may have struggled this season, but if they can continue to produce talent through their academy, they have a bright future ahead. The majority of the money came from the sale of Mario Gotze to Bayern Munich in a deal worth €37m.
4- Sevilla (€51.5m)
The La Liga have lost five players that have come through their academy, amazingly four of which have headed to the Premier League. Those names include Jesus Navas, who joined Manchester City for around £15m in 2013, as well as Luis Alberto and Alberto Moreno – who joined Liverpool – and Antonio Luna, who left for Aston Villa.
3- Real Sociedad (€62.2m)
David Moyes’s side have made more than their La Liga rivals, but they have only lost two players, Asier Illarramendi – who joined Real Madrid for €32.2m – and Antoine Griezmann – who also moved to Madrid, joining Atletico for €30m.
2- Lille (€76m)
The Ligue 1’s side academy has produced five players that have subsequently moved on, most notably the three that have, or are going to the Premier League: Eden Hazard, Mathieu Debuchy and Divock Origi. Unsurprisingly, it is Hazard who commanded the largest fee, costing Chelsea around £32m.
1- Southampton (€90.2m)
Last year’s well publicised exodus has put the Saints at the top of the list. The losses of Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, and Calum Chambers have drastically improved the bank balance, but don’t appear to have affected the team too much on the pitch, with Ronald Koeman’s side well in contention for a European spot in the Premier League.