Which ten players have the biggest buyout clauses in European football…
A term you’ll hear used regularly when the transfer window is open, is a player’s ‘buyout clause’. This refers to the value a team must pay to release a player from their contract, and allow them to talk to him. This then cannot be blocked by the selling team.
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Not every player has one, as there is risk involved in inserting such a clause into a contract, e.g. if the player rises in value he could be lost for much less that he’s worth. But a high value can also deter opposition teams from making a bid at all.
Here are ten notable buyout clauses currently in European and World football:
10) Raphael Varane- £25m (Real Madrid)
The young French defender has been linked with both Manchester United and Chelsea, and considering his reputation, both English giants might consider paying this price to force through a move.
9) Jackson Martinez- £27.5m (FC Porto)
Liverpool have been chasing the Colombian international as they look to ease their goalscoring issues. But for a player already approaching 30, this price would be a huge amount to give up.
8) Juan Cuadrado- £28m (Fiorentina)
Manchester United have been heavily linked with another Colombian star, and with Barcelona now out of the picture with a transfer ban, the Red Devils could follow up their interest in the January window.
7) Aymeric Laporte- £33m (Athletic Bilbao)
The young Frenchman is one of the most exciting prospects in European football, and has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United. But will any team take a risk on a relatively unproven talent at such a high price.
6) Gabriel Barbosa- £40m (Santos)
A relatively unheard of player. The next start of the Santos line, Barbosa is an 18-year-old forward hoping to follow in the footsteps of Neymar by making the move into the Brazilian first team, and a major European club.
5) Koke- £48m (Atletico Madrid)
The highly rated midfielder helped Madrid reach the Champions League final and win La Liga last season. The 22-year-old has been linked with Manchester United in the past, but no team has seriously suggested paying the asking price.
4) Ryan Gauld- £48m (Sporting Lisbon)
The highly rated Scottish teenager moved to Lisbon from Dundee United last year, and despite being yet to make an appearance for the club’s first team, the 19 year-old is expected to develop into a top talent.
3) Lionel Messi- £205m (Barcelona)
No surprises to see Messi near the top of this list, but with the current issues surrounding the club and their manager’s future, will the Argentinian do the impossible and force through a move away from the club.
2) Gareth Bale- £785m (Real Madrid)
The world’s mots expensive player is protected with a near-impossibly buyout clause, showing just how crazy rumours of Man United’s £100m transfer move are. The Welshman will not be leaving Madrid any time soon.
1) Cristiano Ronaldo- £785m (Real Madrid)
From the world’s most expensive player to the world’s best player. Real Madrid will never sell their star man, and Ronaldo will be going nowhere until he sees out his contract. Could he ever return to Manchester United?
SEE ALSO: Manchester United transfer news