Milan's Alexandre pato declared football most valuable yougstar - report

Milan and Brazil star Alexandre Pato has been declared the world's most valuable young footballer, after studies carried out by Portuguese sport analysts ranked players across the world aged 21 and under.

Futebolfinance.com, who specialise in releasing data about the economics and business of football, estimated that the 21-year-old would cost a potential buyer between €25 million and €40 million to take him away from the San Siro, putting him ahead of closest rival Mario Balotelli of Manchester City.

The list takes into account the age, position and match statistics of a player, as well as the value of previous transfers. Six Europeans and two South Americans round off the top ten. Santos sensation Neymar is the only youngster in the top 10 who plays their club football outside of Europe.

Top 10 Most Valuable Youngsters

1. Alexandre Pato (21, Milan)
2. Mario Balotelli (20, Man City)
3. Tomas Mueller (21, Bayern Munich)
4. Stevan Jovetic (20, Fiorentina)
5. Eden Hazard (19, Lille)
6. Bojan Krkic (20, Barcelona)
7. Marko Marin (21, Werder Bremen)
8. Neymar (18, Santos)
9. Gareth Bale (21, Tottenham)
10. Javier Pastore (21, Palermo)