Ranking highlights top U23 targets in transfer window

January 15 – The CIES Football Observatory has unveiled the top U23 players outside Europe’s big five leagues who appear most prepared to take the next step in their careers, based on an index that evaluates a variety of data.

Sporting Lisbon’s Belgian defender Zeno Debast (87.5 – pictured) leads the ranking. A relatively unknown entity compared to some of the names on the list, the player is gathering interest from Spain this window, with both Real and Atletico Madrid reportedly interested in the 21-year-old.

PSV’s Dutch defender Ryan Flamingo places second with an index of 86.7. The 22-year-old surprisingly hasn’t appeared in any concrete reports linking him away from the club this window despite impressing on the pitch for PSV’s almost flawless start to the league campaign.

Another PSV player, this time 22-year-old American midfielder Malik Tillman, ranks third with an index of 86.2. Valued at €50 million by CIES, Tillman has been linked with Premier League side Spurs in recent weeks and has a long list of admirers in the Nig-5 leagues.

Much of the ranking leaders are playing in Portugal, the Netherlands or Brazil.

Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Georgiy Sudakov (4^th – 85.9) is the only top-10 player from outside of these leagues. The 22-year-old has attracted interest from Liverpool and Tottenham in recent windows but his big move has never quite materialised. He continues to be an important asset for Shakhtar, with eight goals and two assists from midfield so far in the league season. CIES value the Ukrainian at €50 million.

Rounding out the top five is former Manchester United fullback Alvaro Carreras, currently at Benfica following a summer switch, where he has thrived. The 21-year-old has attracted major interest from his former club, who could reclaim the player at a cut price due to a buy-back clause in the player’s Benfica contract. It presents a unique opportunity for Amorim’s side to capitalise on their market advantage to secure a top young talent in a position sorely in need of strengthening at Old Trafford.

The highest-value player in the ranking is 20-year-old Spain and Porto striker Samu Aghehowa, on loan from Atletico Madrid, at €72million. He was inches away from a blockbuster transfer to Chelsea in 2024 which fell through, though the Stamford Bridge club are more than likely to reignite their interest in a player who has become perhaps the most promising young attacker in world football.

There is a surprising lack of players high-ranking players from the English Championship, which has proved to be a useful source of quality young talent. Only Leeds United’s Italian hotshot Willy Gnonto makes the top-50 ranking, whilst Jude Bellingham’s younger brother Jobe (19), currently at Sunderland, also features further down the list.