As the game of football develops, young footballers are breaking through into their respective first teams with a bigger reputation than ever.
With that in mind, we’re taking a closer look at the 30 best young players making a name for themselves in Europe right now.
This isn’t a rankings list, just a list highlighting some top talent. And with Football Manager 2016 due for release this month, this could prove to be a handy guide for the transfer season!
Rafik Zekhnini: Odds BK (Norway)
The 17-year-old striker impressed against Borussia Dortmund earlier this season and is now said to be a target for Manchester United.
Nikola Vlasic: Hajduk Split
Vlasic displays a mature dynamism that outreaches his 18 years, and as such has come to the attention of Chelsea, Tottenham and Real Madrid.
Dayot Upamecano: Red Bull Salzburg
Even at 17 he had the foresight to know that he’d play more regular football in Austria than at Manchester United.
Enes Unal: Manchester City
Currently on loan at Belgian side Genk from City where he has been continuing his development in a competitive league.
Youri Tielemans: Anderlecht
Jurgen Klopp is a known fan, as is Arsene Wenger, who have both praised the youngster’s movement and passing ability.
Jari Schuurman: Feyenoord
The Dutch under-21 international is now a regular first teamer in The Netherlands where he will no doubt catch the eye of some of Europe’s biggest sides.
Pedro Pereira: Sampdoria
The Portuguese right-back has gone from Benfica’s youth team to Sampdoria’s first team in just six months and seems to have adapted like a duck to water.
Felix Passlack: Borussia Dortmund
A natural at either right-back or as an attacking midfielder, the pacy youngster has all the ingredients to emulate Mario Gotze.
Martin Odegaard: Real Madrid
Already a first team regular in his native Norway at 15, he’s impressed in Madrid so far but is likely to make a loan move in January.
Abdelhak Nouri: Ajax
Another top young talent to come out of the Netherlands, Nouri is already being watched by Manchester United and looks set for a very bright future indeed.
Ruben Neves: FC Porto
Neves has already captained his side and he’s not even out of his teens. Both Liverpool and Chelsea have been strongly linked.
Sandi Lovric: Sturm Graz
The 17-year-old has frequently been compared with Xabi Alonso, and has set his sights on the Premier League after rejecting overtures from Juventus and Inter Milan.
Davor Lovren: Dinamo Zagreb
The younger brother of Liverpool defender, Dejan. This one, unlike his sibling, plays on the wing and has drawn comparisons with Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek: Chelsea
A domineering midfield player that Jose Mourinho has seen enough of to thrust him into the first team this season.
Manuel Locatelli: AC Milan
With traces of Andrea Pirlo to his game, the midfield maestro has already been tipped to captain the famous Italian club.
Jose Luis ‘Kuki’ Salazar: Malaga
Several English sides were believed to be sniffing around the young striker recently, but Malaga acted quickly to tie him down to a new deal.
David Kownacki: Lech Poznan
A potent striker or nippy winger, has an eye for goal and a turn of pace to match.
Luka Jovic: Red Star Belgrade
Dubbed the ‘Serbian Falcao’ he is both good in the air and in the dribble. A classy finisher already but turned down a recent move to Atletico Madrid to stay in Belgrade.
Benjamin Henrichs: Bayer Leverkusen
Often compared with former Bayer star Michael Ballack, the classy midfielder is already the captain of Germany’s under-17 side.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah: Manchester United
The young Dutch midfielder could be the man to soften the blow of losing Paul Pogba to Juventus.
Mikkel Duelund: FC Midtjylland
The 17-year-old has similarities to countryman Christian Eriksen, but allegedly with a bigger ego. However, he’s resisted offers to leave so far to stay in Denmark.
Ante Coric: Dinamo Zagreb
So good he’s been compared with Zinedine Zidane. A regular for Dinamo both domestically and in the Champions League.
Bilal Boutobba: Marseille
Like Arjen Robben, the 17-year-old’s strength is cutting inside and shooting. Made his Marseille debut at 16 and hasn’t looked back.
Federico Bonazzoli: Inter Milan/Sampdoria
A hungry young striker with a bullet of a left foot. Has already made one big move in his fledgling career and it won’t be long before he makes another.
Jean-Kevin Augustin: PSG
Has struggled for game time at talent rich PSG, meaning he could be open to a move at some point in the near future.
Thanks to the Daily Express for the info.