Skyrocketing - Bayern’s wonderkid 200% more expensive

Bayern had planned this autumn and winter to promote the young Lenart Karl. It was a previously announced club project involving a hugely talented boy; however, even the biggest optimists in Munich could not have expected such lightning-fast development and an almost perfect fit into Vincent Kompany’s system.

Many players at that age get lost in the transition from youth to senior football—some even older, at 18 or 19—but Karl didn’t just seize his chance with both hands; in just four or five months he has grown into a player one of the biggest clubs in the world can fully rely on.

Not long ago, in a Champions League match against Sporting Lisbon, he made history as the only 17-year-old to manage (with his foot) to score in three consecutive matches in Europe’s elite competition.

In the Bundesliga he already has three goals and two assists (even though he has started only five times), but above all he stands out for the maturity of his play. Older and far more experienced teammates trust him completely, look for him, give him the ball and don’t worry about the outcome. He, in turn, delivers in concrete terms. He provides more than expected and, on top of that, remains calm, rational and grounded.

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He blends German pragmatism with a measured dose of southern footballing flair; his mentality is that of a winner—and what else could it be in a German, especially one raised at Bayern?!—so everything points to the Bavarian giant having found a complete package in this youngster. Practically a young world-class star in the making. Taking all this into account, it comes as no surprise that Lenart Karl’s price tag as of today is 200% higher than it was yesterday.

Specifically, it has jumped from 20 million euros to 60 million euros, Transfermarkt—the most well-known and reliable site analyzing players’ market values—has reported.

“We can definitely describe him as the new wonderkid,” said Tobias Kroger, Transfermarkt’s market value coordinator. “In just a few weeks, he went from a youth player to a regular member of Bayern’s starting lineup and is among the most exciting players to watch this season.”