Buybacks from these players are almost impossible to activate
Nowadays, there is an abundance of money available in the budget of almost every football club in every transfer window. Even a mid-table club now has the financial wherewithal to sign a player worth millions. All European teams are very willing to spend a lot of money on a talented player today, which makes it very difficult for some teams to keep their best players.
No European teams plan to develop their academy products, except for a countable few. In this case, however, a release clause is the only weapon available to clubs to retain their best players. Here are the most popular release clauses in player contracts around the world that help their respective teams retain their star players.
10. Antoine Griezmann – €800 million
The The 2018 World Cup winner hasn’t been in top form since joining Barcelona from Atletico Madrid. Greizmann joined Barca in the summer of 2019 and the change spelled disaster for his career. The Frenchman made 102 appearances for Barca and scored 35 goals, then was loaned to Atletico Madrid in the 2021 summer window. The expectation was very high on his part as the Catalan club signed the player in paying his €120m buyout clause. Antonio Greizman is still under contract with Barcelona where his release clause is set at €800m.
9. David Alaba – €850 million
Real Madrid have placed an €850m release clause on the Austria international after landing him on a free transfer last season. Alaba moved to Los Blancos from Bayern. After the departure of former Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, Alaba became the club’s leader in the back line. Although Alaba had an excellent record with Bayern and established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the world, he moved to Madrid last summer in search of a new challenge.
8. Ansu Fati – €1 billion
The young winger made his Barcelona debut in 2019 aged 16 and took the world by storm. Fati became the youngest player to score in La Liga and Champions League history in his debut season. As a quick and precise striker who constantly finds the net for Barcelona, the Spanish striker is labeled as Lionel Messi’s heir apparent. Following Fati’s performance, Barcelona offered him a lucrative contract extension with a €1bn release clause in 2021. Which is seemingly impossible to pay even if the clubs are loaded with money.
7. Pedri – €1 billion
The 2021 Golden Boy award winner has been an outstanding player for his club and country. Pedri is seen by many as the next Iniesta of Barcelona and the Spanish national team. The young midfielder’s composure with the ball reminds everyone of Andreas Iniesta. Pedri has played over 50 games for club and country in 20-21. Pedri is an integral part of Barcelona’s project and he renewed his contract with the club in 2021 with a €1bn release clause after Ansu Fati.
6. Pablo Gavi – €1 billion
The youngest player to play and score for the Spanish national team, Pablo Gavi has been a record player since his debut. Gavi is the youngest player to start in El Clasico. Despite his young age, Gavi has been exceptional with the club and has been a regular starter ahead of Frenkie De Jong and Franck Kessie this season.
The young Spaniard has established himself as one of the great pressers on the football pitch. He is on the list of most recovered by a player during this season. Barcelona locked the player in on themselves earlier this month with a €1bn release clause making it almost impossible to find interested clubs like – Liverpool, Bayern Munich, etc.
5. Ronald Araujo – €1 billion
Despite his young age, the Uruguayan defender has shown immense quality in the Spanish top division since his debut in 2019. The La Masia graduate has been FC Barcelona’s best defender since his debut. Although he is fast and excellent in one-on-one eliminations, it is his strength that horrifies the opposition. Araujo has all the ingredients to become one of the club’s best defenders. That’s why this year he signed a contract extension with a release clause of 1 billion.
4. Ferran Torres – €1 billion
The former Manchester City striker secured his transfer to Barcelona in January 2021 as part of Xavi’s project. During his time under Guardiola, the Spaniard was never the regular starter because of big names like Mahrez and Sterling, but showed immense quality in his limited outings. Ferran Torres is important for Barca’s future dream team as they look to dominate Europe again. They secured Ferran Torres with a €1bn release clause last winter.
3. Rodrygo – €1 billion
The Brazilian was retained by Real Madrid with a €1bn release clause as they see him as a great prospect for the future. Rodrygo has played 115 games for Los Blancos and scored 21 goals. Rodrygo has been very good during his run with Madrid. In the current season, the young Brazilian is already flying with six contributions in three games. Rodrygo and Vinicius have now been very consistent for their club since last season.
2. Karim Benzema – €1 billion
The best FIFA player of the year has been in the form of his life. Benzema’s accuracy against the opposing net was remarkable. The Frenchman led Real Madrid to their 14th Champions League and La Liga trophy last season. In the past, Karim Benzema had enjoyed the achievements of his teammates like Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric. But now he is the central figure of Real Madrid. Real Madrid clearly don’t want to lose their gem and recently extended his contract with a €1bn release clause.
1. Vinicius Junior – €1 billion
The Brazilian winger has been in great form alongside teammate Karim Benzema. Vinicius has been a joy to watch since the start of last season. Many people doubted that Vinicius was good enough to start in Real Madrid’s line-up but he proved them wrong. Last LaLiga campaign, Vinicius had 27 contributions in 35 games. Vinicius never wanted to leave the Spanish capital and recently renewed his contract with the club with a €1bn release clause, making him one of three players at the club with such a clause.
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