The wait is over for Valparaíso. This Saturday, Santiago Wanderers, who were crowned champions of the Copa Libertadores U20 in March, will play their match against Real Madrid, champions of the UEFA Youth League, in a match valid for the U20 Intercontinental Cup, in Spain. In the capital of that country, they are already anticipating the encounter and the Merengues are preparing their promising figures, who strike fear on the field and in the market.
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In a context where unusual sums are paid for footballers in Europe, several of Madrid’s young players already have a high valuation. For example, central defender Joan Martínez, an important piece in the team coached by Álvaro López, has a cost of 5 million euros according to the Transfermarkt platform. He is the highest-valued player from La Fábrica, as the youth divisions of the team presided over by Florentino Pérez are nicknamed.
Another of the high prices in the Spanish squad is forward Daniel Yáñez, one of the figures in the club’s participation in the UEFA Youth League. His transfer costs 4 million euros. Meanwhile, right-back Jesús Fortea reaches 3 million.
The case of midfielder Sergio Martínez is different, as he was not developed at Real Madrid. The institution bought his transfer from Racing de Santander for 3 million euros.
Between these four players alone, the highest-valued from La Fábrica, they total 15 million euros, without considering other footballers such as goalkeeper Javi Navarro, nicknamed the new Courtois, or midfielder Thiago Pitarch, who plays for Castilla and whom José Mourinho did not release for the match against Santiago Wanderers, as he will consider him for the first team this weekend when they face Atlético de Madrid, in the capital’s derby.
The promises of the Valparaíso team, far from the European lights and millions, have a considerably lower valuation. For example, the most expensive transfer is that of 19-year-old midfielder Cristóbal Ponce, which costs 225 thousand euros, according to the Transfermarkt platform
Meanwhile, the transfer of Christian Silva, an 18-year-old forward who was crowned top scorer of the last Copa Libertadores U20 and was chosen as the best player of the tournament, has a value of 125 thousand euros.
Finally, full-back Cristopher Valenzuela costs 200 thousand euros and midfielder Lucas Avendaño 150 thousand.
The differences in the market are clear, but that is something that doesn’t matter too much to Santiago Wanderers, since in the semifinals and final of the Copa Libertadores U20 they defeated Palmeiras and Flamengo respectively, teams that also arrived with a clearly higher valuation than those from the port.
The match against Real Madrid is scheduled for 07:30 AM Chile time this Saturday, September 19, at the mythical Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Goalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
