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CLAUSES FULL OF ZEROES

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La Liga has had an astounding start to a rollercoaster campaign. With Lionel Messi leaving FC Barcelona, the Blaugranas are dependent on their other players to perform and accomplish what La Pulga did at the club. With Memphis Depay proving out to be a world-class striker at Camp Nou and other players being given a shot by Koeman it’ll be crucial to see if Barcelona turn up a notch after La Pulga’s departure. With Barcelona struggling financially it’s crucial to take a look at the release clause of every Barcelona player.

 

 

After Messi’s departure, there has been immense shuffling in Barcelona’s eleven with Koeman looking for the perfect piece. But will the Dutch coach find the perfect replacement this summer or will the post-Messi era be a disaster for Koeman and company becomes a crucial question? And we at FootTheBall figure out the contracts of every Barcelona player and the release clause associated with them to see who could get an extension next summer and who could be shown the exit door.

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN- € 800M

The largest buyout clause at Camp Nou belongs to French forward Antoine Griezmann. Even when Lionel Messi was a Barcelona player, Griezmann led the catalogue with an 800 million euro release clause.

 

 

The latter stages of last season saw Griezmann find his Atletico Madrid form something that would be expected of him this season after Messi’s astonishing departure. For now, Barcelona can rest easy knowing that nobody is triggering that clause for a long time.

MARC ANDRE TER STEGEN- €500M

The German wall has been a reliable customer for Barcelona between the posts. Guarding the frame for the Catalans, Ter Stegen has been a brick wall stopping waves of attacks for Barcelona. Although he hasn’t found a spot in Germany’s eleven, he has completely solidified his place in Barcelona’s team sheet.

 

GERARD PIQUE- €500M

One of the senior-most players in Barcelona’s dressing room, centre-back Gerard Pique deservingly has a 500 million euros release clause attached to him by Barcelona. A product of La Masia, Pique was purchased by Barcelona from the Red Devils decades ago.

 

 

The Spanish centre-back gives tough competition to youngsters and adds valuable experience to Barcelona’s eleven. Pique also accepted reduced wages to accommodate the signings of new players proving his commitment to the Catalans.

 

JORDI ALBA- €500M

Alba has been Barcelona’s number one full-back since joining Valencia in 2012, and his relevance to the team was highlighted when he was granted a fresh five contract in 2019. Still a valuable asset, Barcelona would expect the Spaniards to hold the Blaugrana together in a state of misery. Barcelona has set a release clause worth 500 million euros for Alba.

 

SERGIO BUSQUETS- €500M

One of the captains of the current Barcelona squad, midfielder Sergio Busquets faced immense backlash at the start of last season.

 

 

But Koeman’s new formation saw Busquets turn back the clock and drop masterclass after masterclass at the Camp Nou.

 

SERGIO ROBERTO- €500M

Another senior player with a whopping release clause, the protagonist of Barcelona’s famous Remotando, has faced criticism from pundits across the world. His quality has declined and newer faces like Sergino Dest have occupied the position once Roberto used to operate in.

 

SAMUEL UMTITI- €500M

French centre-back Samuel Umtiti might have a 500 million euro release clause but the Blaugranas would want to get rid of the defender as soon as possible. Horrific performances have clouded Umtiti’s Camp Nou experience with the Frenchman destined to leave the club. He couldn’t find himself a spot even after Koeman switched to three centre-backs, indicating he has fallen far behind in line.

 

MEMPHIS DEPAY- €400M

 

Considerably Barcelona’s best signing in recent years, Memphis Depay has already stamped his authority in Barcelona colours. After enjoying a staggering pre-season, the Dutch forward was quintessential in Barcelona’s narrow victory against Real Sociedad.

 

 

Going into the season Memphis Depay could serve as the perfect replacement for the departing Lionel Messi. The 400 million release clause set by Barcelona perfectly suits the capability of the Dutchman.

SERGINO DEST- €400M

An electrifying right-back Sergino Dest has enjoyed a hot and cold season for the Blaugrana. He sometimes produced magical performances for Barcelona while sometimes he was bullied by strikers in his backyard.

 

 

But with Barcelona starting fresh this summer a lot would be expected of Dest considering he is Koeman’s first choice in the right-back position. But with Emerson Royal joining Barcelona once again fans could expect tough competition for the full-back spot along with Jordi Alba.

MIRJALEM PJANIC- €400M

After joining Barcelona through a swap deal, Mirjalem Pjanic has struggled during his tenure at Camp Nou. His vulnerable pace became a point of concern and Busquets’ revival saw Pjanic thrown to the bench. The Bosnian was reportedly not happy with Koeman’s treatment and wanted to return to Juventus before the new summer kicked off but a deal hasn’t gone through yet.

 

FRENKIE DE JONG- €400M

Probably the silver lining in Barcelona’s catastrophic couple of seasons Dutch midfielder Frenkie De Jong has proved why he’s worth every penny the Blaugranas have spent on him. Dominating the centre of the pitch, De Jong played the most minutes for Barcelona surpassing the greatest Lionel Messi.

 

 

With Koeman switching formations, De Jons performed extremely well when seeded in a more advanced role by the Dutch manager. With Depay joining the club, the two Dutchmans could surely take La Liga by storm.

 

ERIC GARCIA- €400M

 

Eric Garcia could be the third centre-back in Ronald Koeman’s backline if Gerard Pique doesn’t make it to the eleven. The Spanish youngster was a benchwarmer at Manchester City but he finally agreed to reunite with his former club considering the opportunities he would get at Barcelona.

 

 

Barcelona has set a release clause of 400 million euros in Garcia’s contract and would want the Spaniard to turn into a brick wall defending for the Blaugranas.

OUSMANE DEMBELE- €400M

Another million-dollar-baby sitting in Barcelona’s roster, French winger Ousmane Dembele was purchased by Barcelona for his raw pace and goal-scoring ability. But Borussia Dortmund’s former winger has struggled at Camp Nou being threatened by constant injuries.

 

 

With Barcelona struggling financially, the club could sell Dembele to find themselves a cheaper option or replace him with the available players.

 

PEDRI- €400M

After enjoying a mouth-watering campaign for Barcelona Olympic silver-medalist Pedri has deservedly taken a little break from football.

 

 

But before that, the Spanish wonderkid played the complete season for Barcelona, then competed in the Euros with Spain, and then represented La Furia Roja in the Olympics. A midfield sensation, Pedri is destined for glory in his career and Barcelona’s 400 million release clause is quite justified.

 

ANSU FATI- €400M

After enjoying a breakthrough summer at Camp Nou, striking sensation Ansu Fati was considered the rightful heir of Luis Suarez.

 

 

Although Fati was sidelined due to injuries, the Spanish international proved his worth in the little time he featured last summer.

 

PHILLIPE COUTINHO- €400M

Brazilian sensation Phillipe Coutinho could enjoy a career turning summer at Camp Nou this season. Messi’s departure makes him the attacking player who could operate behind Depay and Griezmann creating opportunities for his strikers.

 

And when Coutinho is on the pitch, a jaw-dropping right-footed strike smacking the roof of the net isn’t far away.

 

CLEMENT LENGLET- €300M

When the French centre-back was purchased in 2018 he was considered as a long-term option for Barcelona’s back-line. But a string of shambolic outings saw Lenglet become secondary to youngsters like Araujo and Mingueza. Although Lenglet is with Barcelona for another season his Spanish endeavour could soon be coming to an end.

MARTIN BRAITHWAITE- €300M

Danish striker Martin Braithwaite faced immense trolling when he signed a contract with Barcelona. But the forward has chipped in with crucial goals whenever the team has been in trouble.

 

 

And although the season has just started, Braithwaite replied to his critics with a magnificent performance against Real Sociedad in the La Liga opener bagging 2 goals.

EMERSON ROYAL- €300M

 

Brazilian right-back and Copa America’s runner-up Emerson Royal could be competing with Sergino Dest for the right-back position this summer. La Liga’s best right-back of last season, Royal was permanently purchased by Barcelona from Real Betis this summer.

 

 

And with a release clause of 300 million set by Barcelona, they would expect the Brazilian to put on a show whenever he’s given opportunities by Ronald Koeman.

NETO- €200M

Another sensational shot-stopper, Neto has given tough competition to his German counterpart for the number.1 shirt. The Brazilian goalkeeper has been magnificent for Barcelona in the games he has featured in for the Blaugranas. Ter Stegn’s injury concerns have opened the doors for Neto to become Barcelona’s number.1 in recent times.

 

RONALD ARAUJO- €200M

The leader of Barcelona’s defensive-line Ronald Araujo is seen as the future of Barcelona. The young Uruguayan centre-back was promoted from Barcelona’s B-team in 2019 and after a shambolic debut, Araujo has stamped his position in Koeman’s eleven.

 

OSCAR MINGUEZA- €100M

Another young centre-back, Oscar Mingueza, is a terrific prospect when partnered up with Ronald Araujo. Araujo, Pique, and Mingueza could form a jaw-dropping defensive trio with the two youngsters providing pace and strength and Pique providing the leadership quality lacking in Barcelona’s defensive structure.

RIQUI PUIG- €100M

Considered the torch-bearer of Barcelona’s midfield at one point in time, Riqui Puig fell out of Ronald Koeman’s plans since the Dutchman’s arrival at Barcelona.

 

 

But a fan-favourite at Camp Nou, the young Spanish midfielder eagerly waits for an opportunity for his boyhood club.

 

SERGIO AGUERO – €100M

 

Argentine striker Sergio Aguero joined Barcelona to build a partnership with his international teammate Lionel Messi. But his abrupt departure meant the Premier League’s goal-scoring machine will have immense responsibilities when he returns from injury.

 

 

The ageing striker has a 100 million euros release clause set by Barcelona in his contract.

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