Release clauses are one of the football transfer market’s most interesting weapons.
They seem to let everyone know exactly where they stand – ‘player A is available for X amount of money, so put up or shut up’.
Release clauses often get fans very excited too, as they make the player in question appear instantly more attainable.
Here are five top stars who reportedly have such clauses in their current contracts, starting with Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who could be allowed to leave White Hart Lane for a surprisingly low chunk of cash…
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5. Hugo Lloris
Position: goalkeeper
Current club: Tottenham Hotspur
Linked with: Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid
Reported value of release clause: £14.5m
Hugo Lloris has £14.5m release clause in Tottenham contract, according to French report
4. Nicolas Otamendi
Position: centre-back
Current club: Valencia
Linked with: Manchester United and Chelsea
Reported value of release clause: £14.5m
Manchester United agree to pay £35.9m release clause to sign Chelsea target
3. Koke
Position: midfielder
Current club: Atletico Madrid
Linked with: Chelsea
Reported value of release clause: £48m
Chelsea Ready to Trigger £48m Release Clause In Pursuit Of Atletico Madrid Midfielder
2. Aymeric Laporte
Position: centre-back
Current club: Athletic Bilbao
Linked with: Manchester United
Reported value of release clause: £33m
Man United Linked With Move to Trigger £33m Release Clause In Pursuit of Defensive Wonderkid
1. Lionel Messi
Position: forward
Current club: Barcelona
Linked with: Manchester City
Reported value of release clause: £200m
Manchester City To Trigger £200m Release Clause To Sign Lionel Messi From Barcelona
