The 6 highest paid teenagers in football

Football clubs are desperate to have the next upcoming stars at their disposal and some highly lucrative contracts have been handed out to teenagers over the last few years. The highest-paid teenagers in football are turning heads in world football right now and in the future.

The attention of fans is often on the transfer fees a player commands, but the bulk of the money flows through their salaries, which in Europe are paid weekly.

Young players are getting tied down to lucrative contracts by clubs in order to have their prized assets play for the long term and avoid poaching due to the financial strengths of other clubs.

There is a limit to what wages a player less than eighteen can earn in most European leagues, but once players reach that age, it now looks customary to sign new contracts.

Using data from Off the Pitch, we have compiled a list of the top six highest-paid teenagers in football in the world right now.

6. Youssoufa Moukoko – £49,200

Having already made 72 senior appearances for Borussia Dortmund and received two caps for Germany, Moukoko is one of the hottest prospects in the game right now.

The 18-year-old is taking home just shy of £50,000 per week on his current contract. Dortmund have a knack for producing great strikers and we wouldn't bet against Moukoko being their next star.

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5. Alejandro Garnacho – £50,000

Fresh from penning a new five-year deal at Old Trafford in April, Garnacho is now one of the highest-paid teenagers in the world. The Argentine winger is absolutely box office on his day and has been tipped to go to the very top.

"He has a big impact in many games, either when starting or coming on. He is ready and straight into the game and that is so important for the squad that you can bring in young players," Erik ten Hag told reporters in May.

4. Rayan Cherki – £59,000

The Lyon star, Rayan Cherki is attracting interest from all around Europe and it's no surprise to see why. He's one of the silkiest talents around at the moment and is only 19 years old.

We could happily watch compilations of him all day.

3. Mathys Tel – £65,600

Bayern paid around £24million to sign Tel from Rennes last summer and they handed him a handsome wage of £65,600 in the process. Even during his limited game time last season, Bayern fans still saw the potential.

The 18-year-old managed to score five league goals in just 399 minutes of football. If he maintains that sort of scoring rate, he'll have a long and successful career without a doubt.

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2. Carney Chukwuemeka – £100,000

After luring him away from Aston Villa, Chelsea handed Chukwuemeka a highly lucrative deal, worth a whopping £ 100,000 per week. The teenager only started in two league matches last season but did show some flashes of quality.

Mauricio Pochettino is currently pondering what to do with the youngster, as a loan move could well be on the cards this summer.

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1. Gavi – £111,500

Undoubtedly one of the hottest prospects in Europe right now, Gavi is the highest-earning teenager in the world. The sky is the limit for the Barcelona youngster, who has already garnered huge praise from Xavi.

"He's very good at recovering possession, taking the ball away from the opponents. He's very competitive. He understands the high press very well; he's excellent at that," Xavi told Sport.

"He turns very well when we want to play in between the lines. But he needs to manage himself – he needs to find the right resources in the right moments – knowing when to attack the space better, when to let the wingers run or when to pass it.

"These are tactical situations where he needs to improve. He's an incredible talent and a joy to coach. At 17, to already have made such an impact and play with the national side is marvellous."