Premier League’s recruitment bottleneck pushes clubs towards ready-made signings | OneFootball

Premier League clubs are tilting towards proven, often older, performers this summer, prioritising certainty over resale upside in an increasingly congested market.

“The market dynamics have changed exponentially over the last five years,” said a senior recruitment figure, speaking to The Athletic.

This tilt is reflected in Manchester United signing Youri Tielemans, 29, with 244 Premier League appearances, for £35million, and Arsenal’s pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes, 28, 153. Even younger movers Morgan Rogers and Elliot Anderson, both 23, already have 85 and 119 top-flight games.

Recruiters say youth chasing is now so aggressive that clubs outside the very top struggle to land prospects ready to contribute immediately. Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Liverpool are regarded as the few able to buy teenagers such as RB Leipzig’s 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande who combine day-one impact with high ceilings.

Tielemans has 90 caps for Belgium and is entering a 14th top-flight season in Belgium, France and England. Over the next few years he is seen as a safer bet to deliver at Premier League and European level, which fits United’s needs.

Post-Brexit rules, including the ban on signing under-18s from EU clubs, have shrunk the pool, pushed later, pricier buys and narrowed the fee gap to established options.

Brighton back scouting, paying £21.5million for 18-year-old AIK winger Zadok Yohanna after 13 league games. Villa, who had the Premier League’s second-oldest squad last season, have signed 20-year-old Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi from Freiburg for more than £50million, believing he can step up quickly.

Source: NY Times