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Top 10 Players With Release Clauses to Keep an Eye on This Summer
Blogs

Top 10 Players With Release Clauses to Keep an Eye on This Summer

07/06/24 22:57

Soon we will be eagerly anticipating the start of Euro 2024. But, next Friday also officially opens the summer transfer window. It’s a big day for football, and while England don’t kick off their Euro’s journey until Sunday the 16th, many of us will be keeping a keen eye on the early transfer window kerfuffle.

Much of the transfer dealings will be delayed until after the competition but Europe’s biggest clubs will have to act quickly to activate these release clauses, here are ten players with release clauses expected to cause a stir this summer.

1. Dominic Solanke - £65 million

The Bournemouth bagsman netted 19 times for the Cherries in the Premier League this season and was unfortunate not to be called up to Gareth Southgate’s England team for Euro 2024.

The former Liverpool and Chelsea striker is reportedly attracting interest from the Premier League’s big boys as Tottenham and Chelsea monitor Bournemouth’s talisman.

Solanke has a £65 million pound release clause in his current deal at the Vitality which can only be triggered by England’s traditional top 6 sides. A smart move from the Cherries who have European ambitions next season.

2. Joshua Zirkzee - £40 million

Another forward coming off the back of his best season. Zirkzee played a pivotal role in Bologna’s Champions League qualification scoring 11 goals and registering a further 4 assists in Serie A.

His goals proved important but his ability to hold up the play and bring Thiago Motta’s full backs into play proved why Zirkzee is subject to interest from Manchester United and AC Milan; with the latter on the brink of agreeing a deal for the 23 year old.

Zirkzee showed promise after graduating from the FC Bayern academy but was loaned to Anderlecht after a drop in playing time.

The Dutchman enjoyed a fruitful campaign in Belgium bagging 18 goals and earned a move to Bologna. Fast forward 2 years and he’s on the brink of a move to the San Siro.

3. Benjamin Sesko - £65 million

The Slovenian striker has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal after impressing for RB Leipzig in his first season for the club.

A Salzburg academy product, Sesko was born to score goals. 29 goals in his first two seasons for the first team piqued the interest of partner club Leipzig; who spent £22 million to bring him to Saxony.

In his first Bundesliga campaign he scored 14 goals in just 17 starts. A powerful runner with a strong aerial ability, Sesko poses all the threat to complete Arsenal’s frontline.

While a valuation of £45 million has been discussed, an impressive European Championship campaign for Sesko could see his value increase. His £65 million release clause will be a topic of discussion for many of Europe’s elites this summer.

4. Jeremie Frimpong - £34 million

The flying fullback won a domestic double with Xabi Alonso’s invincible Bayer Leverkusen after a remarkable campaign in Black and Red.

Frimpong joined Leverkusen from Celtic in 2021 and has since made 142 appearances for the club scoring an impressive 25 goals.

A perfect match for Xabi Alonso’s system, the former Manchester City youngster has a £34 million pound release clause in his current deal with the Bundesliga champions. A bargain for one of the most exciting wide players in world football.

Manchester United have been most heavily linked with the Dutchman, but their attention has cooled after Diogo Dalot’s stellar season for the Red Devils.

The 23 year old has been included in Ronald Koeman’s squad for Euro 2024 and a strong showing in the country he calls home will surely bag a mega move for Frimpong.

5. Ian Maatsen - £35 million

Maatsen has been in brilliant form for Dortmund on loan from parent club Chelsea. After heart achingly missing out on the Champions League trophy at the final hurdle, the Dutchman is keen to stay in Germany and Dortmund are attempting to secure his signature on a permanent basis.

The Black and Yellow are unwilling however to pay the £35 million that Chelsea are demanding which could provide Maatsen a chance to prove his worth in London.

Chelsea were keen to keep hold of the left back after another excellent campaign for Vincent Kompany’s Burnley which saw them gain promotion to the Premier League.

Kompany is said to be keen on a reunion with his former player.

6. Alvaro Morata - £12.2 million

A player who has never got enough credit from football fans. A player who is also responsible for the fifth highest accumulation of transfer fees in football history.

While Morata may not be the most clinical converter, the Spainard has a CV that not many can match. A 2-time UCL, LaLiga and Serie A winner, the former Chelsea flop has won 16 major European trophies.

Morata also makes the top 5 all time Spanish national team top scorers. Criminally underrated throughout his career, blighted by his torrid time at Stamford Bridge, Morata has more than made up for his time in England.

But, the Spaniard nears the end of his contract at Atletico Madrid and has been made available via release clause for exactly £12.2 million pounds.

Morata could be a shrewd signing for Manchester United who are searching for an experienced option to support Rasmussen Hojlund at the head of Manchester United’s attack.

7. Gonçalo Inácio - £51 million

A commanding Portuguese central defender attracting attention from Liverpool and Manchester United. Left footed, strong on the ball and dominating in the air; Inácio has all the makings of a star.

At the age of 22 he has already donned the Sporting Lisbon shirt 171 times becoming a mainstay in Ruben Amorim’s side.

An inclusion in Portugal’s Euro 2024 squad provides Inácio a chance to show his worth on the world stage and it is likely that more of European football’s top clubs will be circling his £51 million release clause.

8. Mikel Merino - £51 million

The heart of Real Sociedad’s midfield and one of Spain’s most talented individuals. Merino has had a confusing career to date. After initially impressing for Osasuna in Spain’s second division, Dortmund came knocking and he joined the club in 2016.

Just 9 appearances later, Dortmund shipped Merino on loan to Newcastle where he showed promise. The Toon made the signing permanent but he failed to capitalise on the move.

Newcastle we’re relegated and Merino moved back to his native Spain and hasn’t looked back. Joining Sociedad in 2018, Merino found his best form for Erreala and is yet to drop his levels for the club.

Consistent performances earned him a Spain call up in 2020 and the former Newcastle man could be on his way to Barcelona this summer. The Blaugrana are supposedly willing to pay his £51 million release clause and bring him to the Camp Nou.

9. Paulo Dybala - £10.2 million

Yes, you read that correctly. La Joya will be available for a steal this summer after Roma failed to secure Champions League football.

Once upon a time, Dybala had us all in awe of his delicate left foot and iconic celebrations, but it always seemed that he was capable of more. Now 30, his time at Europe’s top level is coming to a close and this could be his final big move.

I’m sure Juventus fans still expected Dybala to be part of their historic club at this point of his career but The Old Lady offloaded the Argentine to fellow Serie A rivals Roma in 2022 after almost 300 appearances and 115 goals in Black and White.

Dybala was recently left out of Argentina’s squad for the upcoming Copa America despite an incredible season in Italy where he notched 16 goals and another 10 assists.

Who knows what the future holds for one of Football’s most exciting talents, but one thing is for sure, Dybala could bring a wealth of experience and skill for just £10 million pounds.

10. Alan Varela - £60 million

Possibly one of the less renowned names on this list. Varela plies his trade for Portuguese Powerhouse Porto Fc.

A holding midfielder attributable to fellow countryman Enzo Fernandes, Varela is due a move to the Premier League.

One of Porto’s most consistent performers during a disappointing season in Liga Portugal, Varela has caught the eye of several European clubs. The former Boca Juniors star has been linked with a move to Liverpool since January having joined Porto just last summer.

The Argentine will be available for £60 million via a release clause in his contract which could be a coup given Enzo Fernandez’ £120 million pound move to Chelsea.

But, Liverpool are said to have been put off with Porto’s asking price.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
Oscar Tucker

Football Writer

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