€20m market values 

©TM/IMAGO

Max Dowman wrote his name into the history books at the weekend, becoming the Premier League’s youngest ever goalscorer as Arsenal brushed aside Everton 2-0. But for those who follow Transfermarkt closely, the 16-year-old’s rise has been no surprise. Dowman was assigned a €20m market value back in December – the fifth-highest opening market balue ever recorded on the platform – placing him in rare company alongside Lamine Yamal, Gavi, and Callum Hudson-Odoi when they were at the same stage of their careers.

Yet Dowman is not the only 2009-born talent demanding attention. Kennet Eichhorn, the Hertha Berlin midfielder, carries an identical €20m valuation and has been turning heads in the 2.Bundesliga since breaking through as a 16-year-old. Together, the pair sit almost twice as high as any other player in their age group on Transfermarkt’s rankings – a remarkable marker of just how far ahead of their peers they already are. While Dowman continues his development at one of England’s biggest clubs, Eichhorn faces a pivotal summer, with Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and several Premier League sides already linked with a move.

On the latest episode of “Market Values” Stefan Bienkowski and Manuel Veth reflect on what those early valuations really mean: how a high starting market value is no guarantee of stardom, and how the Transfermarkt timeline tells the full story of a career, not just a moment.

You can watch the show on Youtube, or listen along on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.