The massive increase in transfer fees for elite players since Neymar’s £200million move has also seen a remarkable rise in contracts for promising youngsters yet to break into the first team.
Agents report that Premier League clubs are prepared to pay £1m a year or more to keep their best 18 to 20-year-olds, knowing they could soon fetch £30m if they continue developing. Paying your three best academy players £1m a year for three years is a £9m investment with the probability that at least one will be worth £15m or more.
The most high-profile player to benefit is Manchester City defender Tosin Adarabioyo, who was able to negotiate a £25,000-a-week deal despite having made only a handful of appearances in cup competitions and none in the Premier League.