Football INDEX: Wonderkid being tracked by Manchester United on the rise

Football INDEX is the world’s first football stock market where you can buy and sell shares in footballers with real money. Football INDEX offers fans a chance to bet on the future success of football players compared to the short-lived outcome of betting on football results.

Intrigued by what Football INDEX has to offer, but unsure whether to gamble your money? Football INDEX offers customers a 7-day risk free period where they will refund any deposits made within the first seven days of the first deposit, up to a total of £500. Think of it as a trial period where you will effectively have up to £500 to play with during your first week of trading.

Still undecided what footballs to invest your money? Football INDEX even provides users with a handy tool to help you make informed decisions, located on the top right hand sit of the home page. Share prices tend to fluctuate, but they aren’t just determined by player performance. Share prices can also increase based on the media attention a player receives on any given day of trading.

Everyday, Football INDEX highlights the five biggest market moves over a 24-hour period. Here are the current five:

1. WILLEM GEUBBELS (LYON)

Lyon striker Willem Geubbels is receiving a lot of attention for a player that has only managed 76 minutes of playing time across league and European action this season.

That’s because the 16-year-old striker will sign his first professional deal in the summer and Barcelona, Manchester United and Arsenal are interested in prising him away from Lyon.

If Lyon’s track record for developing youngsters into star players is anything to go by, it’s no surprise so many of the big European clubs want to Geubbels to sign his first deal with them rather than Lyon.

His Football INDEX share price has increased 23.47% in the last 24 hours of trading and, at £0.68 a share, the teenager might prove a worthy investment, especially if he ends up joining a European powerhouse this summer.

2. ALBAN LAFONT (TOULOUSE)

When Gianluigi Donnarumma broke onto the scene, there was also another teenage goalkeeper establishing himself in one of Europe’s top five leagues. Lafont became the youngest ever goalkeeper in Ligue 1 history after debuting in November 2015, a month after Donnarumma was introduced to the world.

Lafont, who is now a France U20 international, has established himself as a first-team regular for Toulouse since then and is now getting recognition on Football INDEX, having risen 16.57% in value over the last 24 hours of trading.

In the last three Ligue 1 campaigns, only four goalkeepers have kept more clean sheets than the 19-year-old (27) despite the fact he missed the first four months of the 2015/16 campaign.

Even though Lafont will only set you back £0.55 a share on Football INDEX, it’s unlikely that he will make you a significant return, unless you are banking on him to make a high profile move in the future.

3. JORDI ALBA (BARCELONA)

Neymar’s departure over the summer has arguably benefitted no Barcelona player more so than Jordi Alba this season. The 28-year-old was linked with a move away from the Camp Nou towards the end of last season after struggling to find his best form, but has been immense for Ernesto Valverde’s side this term.

Alba has played a direct hand in eight league goals so far this season (two goals, six assists), more than any other defender in La Liga. The left-back has forged an incredible relationship with Lionel Messi on the pitch, assisting 25% of the Argentine’s league goals this season (5/20) – a league high.

Furthermore, Alba is currently one of six Barcelona players in the WhoScored Team of the Season in La Liga and should certainly come into consideration if you are looking to add to your Football INDEX portfolios.

4. STEFAN DE VRIJ (LAZIO)

Lazio’s announcement on Monday evening that Stefan De Vrij would not be renewing his contract has sparked interest on an off the field. The Netherlands international will leave Lazio at the end of the season when his current contract expires and a high profile move is now expected for the 26-year-old centre-back.

There are no clear frontrunners for his signature at the moment, but De Vrij has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in the past and he is worth investing in on Football INDEX with a view to the summer.

His Football INDEX share price has already increased 13.06% since yesterday evening and now the Lazio defender costs £1.30 a share. Nevertheless, he’s worth investing in before his next move becomes official.

5. HAKAN CALHANOGLU (AC MILAN)

After a tough start to life at AC Milan, Hakan Calhanoglu has finally established himself as a first-team regular for the Serie A giants under Gennaro Gattuso.

AC Milan are unbeaten in their last 10 matches in all competitions and Calhanoglu has featured heavily in that period. Gattuso’s side are gunning for fifth in the league, but may even eye the top four if they can maintain their current form.

Calhanoglu was always likely to make a slow start this season after missing the last six months of last season and the 24-year-old should really be looking to finish this campaign strongly.

Only Sergio Canales (5) has provided more Europa League assists than Calhanoglu (4) this season and he is expected to feature in the competition on Thursday when Milan look to book their spot in the next round.

His share price has increased 11.83% in the last 24 hours of trading on Football INDEX and there’s no reason why that won't continue to soar if he continues to improve.