Messi signs new Barcelona contract with €700m release clause - Buyout clause best XI

Aditya Devavrat 10:01 26/11/2017
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  • The rumours linking Manchester City with an audacious swoop for Lionel Messi were steadily on the rise with the Argentine’s contract situation up in the air for a long time.

    Despite the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s relationships with Sergio Aguero and Pep Guardiola though, he put all speculation of a move to the Premier League to bed by signing an extension with Barcelona until 2021.

    The deal also includes one of the highest release clauses in world football, now set at €700 million.

    Here, we look at the best XI made up of players with the highest buyout clauses.

    GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA (€100m)*

    The AC Milan keeper is only 18, but he’s already regarded as one of the top goalkeeping talents in Europe. He was on the verge of leaving the Serie A giants this summer, before signing a new contract.

    RAPHAEL VARANE (€200m)

    Real Madrid and Raphael Varane agreed to a new contract earlier this season, and that release clause should be prohibitive for any suitor of the young Frenchman. But…there’s always PSG.

    GERARD PIQUE (€200m)

    It’s hard to imagine Gerard Pique ever leaving Barcelona – there’s arguably no player who embodies the spirit of the club more. Even if someone did trigger the release clause, you’d think Pique would choose to stay put.

    SERGIO RAMOS (€200m)

    What Pique is to Barcelona, Sergio Ramos is to Real Madrid. The fact that they have identical release clauses just completes the parallel.

    TONI KROOS (€300m)

    Along with his midfield partner Luka Modric, Toni Kroos has a strong case for claiming to be Europe’s best midfielder. It’s no surprise Madrid have set the bar so high.

    ISCO (€700m)

    Speaking of Madrid players with prohibitively high release clauses, Isco is going to be pretty much untouchable when it comes to transfers. The Spaniard is set to rival Neymar for the tag of the world’s best player whenever Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo pass the torch – and Isco’s release clause is the same as Messi’s.

    LUKA MODRIC (€500m)

    For what Luka Modric brings to Real Madrid, his release clause may even be undervaluing him. His vision and passing provide the inspiration for the attacking play that services the star names ahead of him.

    Messi has a €700million release clause, but it's not the biggest in football.

    Messi has a €700million release clause, but it’s not the biggest in football.

    LIONEL MESSI (€700m)

    Messi’s new release clause is over three times the buyout that was in Neymar‘s contract at Barcelona – so even PSG would have to think twice about trying to lure the Argentine away. They may have missed their chance – Messi’s previous release clause was €300million.

    GARETH BALE (€500m)

    In all likelihood, Real Madrid will end up selling Gareth Bale for far less than his release clause, but in case they hold firm, they’ll get a world-record transfer fee for the Welshman.

    CRISTIANO RONALDO (€1bn)

    The Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi debate will continue endlessly, but on this score, at least, Ronaldo comes out ahead. Will anyone ever pay €1billion for a player?

    KARIM BENZEMA (€1bn)

    While others debate whether Karim Benzema is world-class or overrated, Real Madrid made their stance clear long ago by putting the same release contract in his contract as they did in Ronaldo’s.

    *Donnarumma’s release clause set at €100m if AC Milan are in the Champions League and €50m if they are not.

    What do you make of our team? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or get in touch via Facebook or Twitter.

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