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Premier League clubs are leaning towards tried and tested, and often older, players this summer, putting certainty ahead of resale value in a transfer market that is becoming increasingly crowded.

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

That shift is evident in Manchester United’s signing of Youri Tielemans, 29, who has made 244 Premier League appearances, for £35million, and in Arsenal’s interest in Bruno Guimaraes, 28, who has 153. Even the younger arrivals, Morgan Rogers and Elliot Anderson, both 23, already have 85 and 119 top-flight matches behind them.

Recruiters say the race for young talent has become so intense that clubs outside the very top now find it difficult to secure prospects who can make an immediate contribution. Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Liverpool are viewed as among the few clubs capable of signing teenagers such as RB Leipzig’s 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande, who offer both instant impact and a very high ceiling.

Tielemans has 90 caps for Belgium and is heading into his 14th top-flight season across Belgium, France and England. Over the next few years, he is seen as a safer option to perform at Premier League and European level, which matches United’s requirements.

Post-Brexit regulations, including the ban on signing under-18s from EU clubs, have reduced the available pool, pushed clubs towards later and more expensive purchases, and narrowed the gap in fees between emerging talent and established players.

Brighton continue to trust scouting, spending £21.5million on 18-year-old AIK winger Zadok Yohanna after just 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 adapt quickly.