Football INDEX: Arsenal’s replacement for Lacazette increasing in value

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 footballers to invest your money in? Football INDEX even provides users with a handy tool to help you make informed decisions, located on the top right hand site 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.

Every day, Football INDEX highlights the five biggest market movers over a 24-hour period. Here are the current five:

1. MOHAMED ELYOUNOUSSI (FC BASEL)

Manchester City will look to do what Manchester United couldn't in the group stages by avoiding defeat against FC Basel on Tuesday night. The Swiss giants have won four of their last five home matches against English sides in the Champions League, while Pep Guardiola has only won four of his 22 Champions League away knockout ties.

However, it would still be a remarkable feat if Basel can avoid defeat against the runaway Premier League leaders on Tuesday night. A feat that many Football INDEX users believe is achievable, as there has been a 30.29% increase in Mohamed Elyounoussi’s share price in the last 24 hours.

The 23-year-old Basel forward only scored one goal in six group stage matches and does not appear a gamble worth taking even if his Football INDEX share price is only £0.60.

2. DANNY WELBECK (ARSENAL)

News that Alexandre Lacazette will miss the next six weeks with a knee injury has sparked a flurry of activity on Football INDEX, with users investing heavily in Danny Welbeck.

The former Manchester United striker’s share price has increased 17.26% in the last 24 hours and is certainly worth investing in with Arsene Wenger suddenly short of options in attack ahead of Thursday’s Europa League match with Swedish side Oestersunds.

Club record signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is not eligible to play the Europa League, while the departures of Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott last month means Welbeck is the only senior striker available to Wenger.

The 27-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent years, but now has the chance to revive his Arsenal career, starting on Thursday.

3. MATTIA DE SCIGLIO (JUVENTUS)

Juventus will look to continue their extraordinary defensive record at home to Tottenham on Tuesday night, having only conceded one goal in their last 16 matches in all competitions.

That has not gone unnoticed among Football INDEX users and they have started to invest in summer signing Mattia De Sciglio, who will start at right-back for the Old Lady.

De Sciglio hasn’t managed to nail down a regular starting berth for his new team this season but is the only recognised right-back available to Max Allegri against Tottenham, forcing a 11.17% increase in his share price on Football INDEX.

At £0.64 a share, he is an option worth considering if you are looking to build your portfolios.

4. VINICIUS JUNIOR (FLAMENGO)

Featuring as one of the top 5 highest risers for a second week running, Vinicius Junior’s Football INDEX share price continues to rise. The 17-year-old’s value has increased a further 10.1% in the last 24 hours and he now costs £1.24 a 'Future'.

Unless you are willing to hold onto shares in the teenager for the next few years, he does not represent a sustainable option for your portfolios. He isn’t due to link up with Real Madrid until the end of next season at the very earliest and even then he isn’t expected to feature at his tender age.

5. JOE WILLOCK (ARSENAL)

The second Arsenal player to feature in the top 5 highest risers is teenage midfielder Joe Willock. The 18-year-old is the academy player that has featured the most for Arsenal this season and he is expected to get another run out on Thursday in the Europa League.

Willock started half of Arsenal’s Europa League group matches and his share price on Football INDEX has increased 9.59% ahead of his European knockout bow.

It will be his first appearance for Arsenal since they were eliminated from the FA Cup by Championship side Nottingham Forest at the start of the year and he will hope for better fortunes this time around.

It would still represent a gamble to invest in Willock, even though his current share price is just £0.50, but it’s worth taking ahead of Arsenal’s very winnable tie against Oestersunds.