Clubs Turn to EFL Academies as Young Talent Becomes the New Goldmine
When Manchester City paid £12.5m to sign Jeremy Monga from Leicester City last month, they joined a growing trend among Premier League clubs eager to acquire young talent from EFL and Scottish academies. Arsenal also sought the 17-year-old winger, but City secured his signature after Monga made headlines by becoming Leicester's second-youngest Premier League player at just 15 years and 271 days. This move highlights a broader strategy where Premier League teams are increasingly scouting for players before they establish themselves in senior football. Key examples include: Antoine Semenyo, who was initially overlooked before being signed by Bristol City. Ollie Watkins, who came through Exeter City. Eberechi Eze, who rebuilt his career after being released by Arsenal. Research by BBC Sport indicates that 14 players from EFL or Scottish academies have joined Premier League development squads this summer, matching the total for the entire 2025-26 season. Notably, 11 of these recruits are 18 years old, reflecting a trend towards younger players. Several clubs have benefited from this influx, with League One producing seven recruits this summer, a significant increase from previous years. New signings include: Blade Earley from Cambridge United to Aston Villa. Valentin Joseph from Blackburn Rovers to Brighton. Harrison Bettoni from Wigan Athletic to Chelsea. The financial aspect is also appealing, with many of these moves being free transfers. This allows clubs to invest modest amounts in promising teenagers, potentially yielding a high return if even one player emerges as a regular in the Premier League. The dynamics of academy recruitment have shifted, especially post-Brexit, which has restricted the number of eligible foreign players. This has made local talent more attractive, as they do not face the same immigration hurdles. Examples like Liverpool's Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who is unable to play competitively due to work permit issues, underline the challenges clubs now face. As the landscape of youth recruitment evolves, the focus on EFL academies is likely to intensify.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-08-15