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Gigantic release clauses are becoming a club's main defense mechanism against the world’s biggest spenders, especially in Spain. So, amidst the arms race to keep talent, we decided to take a look at players with the highest release clauses in soccer today.
What are release clauses in soccer contracts?
In today’s transfer market, there seems to be no limit as to what clubs are willing to spend in order to land the world’s biggest talents. Over-the-top transfer fees, nine-figure salaries, among other exclusive financial tools have left clubs vulnerable against Europe’s (and now Saudi Arabia’s) biggest chronic spenders.
Money talks... but release clauses lower the volume.
Release clauses, for a long time, have benefitted both players and teams by looking out for their best interests. For players, release clauses often give them the security of not having to deal with a stubborn club when it comes to negotiating a deal. They know exactly how much a club interested in their services has to pay in order to trigger their transfer. For clubs, a release clause is the main defense mechanism against the world’s top spenders snapping up talent. Bottom line, release clauses have become the main tool to prevent clubs from becoming defenseless in the transfer world, tying their star players down with price tags so outrageous that, if met, the club just might consider letting them go.
Recently, however, clubs have began to lock down their biggest stars with some of the most insane values, making it almost impossible for any club to consider making a transfer bid – at least, without negotiating.
In light of this tool in the transfer world, we bring you the list of the players with the highest release clauses in soccer.
What players have the highest release clauses in soccer?
Sergi Roberto (FC Barcelona) - $527M
The multifunctional academy product probably isn’t going anywhere (at least without Barcelona agreeing on a transfer fee). After signing a new deal with the club in 2017, Sergi Roberto and Barça agreed to include an enormous release clause of $500 million in his new contract, keeping the now 31-year-old with the blaugranas unless the club decided to negotiate for him with another club.
Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona) - $527M
The Polish legend is locked down in Catalunya. Robert Lewandowski made a surprising move to Barcelona in 2022 while still being an important player for the 2020 Champions League winners Bayern Munich. The transfer, which is contractually keeping the player with the club until 2026, also included a release clause of $500 million.
Eder Militão (Real Madrid) - $527M
Real Madrid secured one of the world’s best defenders. Eder Militāo has arguably become one of Europe’s best center backs, helping the Whites to a Champions League trophy in 2021. The Brazilian is now an untouchable player at the Santiago Bernabéu. Months after the historic victory, Real Madrid renewed Militāo’s contract with a higher salary, but placing a release clause of $500 million.
David Alaba (Real Madrid) - $896M
The Austrian center back is of great value for the Merengues. David Alaba arrived to Madrid in 2021 on a free transfer from Bayern Munich, resulting in one of the most important moves that summer. His experience in Europe, along with him being one of the best defenders in the world, has turned the former Munich man’s $850 million release clause into one of the highest.
Ferran Torres (FC Barcelona) - $1.05B
Ferran is tied to Barcelona for 10 figures. Ferran Torres was signed by FC Barcelona in 2021 for $50 million from Manchester City, turning into one of the most expensive transfers coming to the Camp Nou in recent years. The promising 22-year-old’s arrival to the club came with a five-year contract and an incredible $1B release clause.
Rodrygo Goes (Real Madrid) - $1.05B
The third of the Brazilian trio to be renewed with an extraordinary clause, Rodrygo Goes, alongside Vinicius Jr., is arguably one of the most promising present and future talents at the Santiago Bernabéu. His will to play for Real Madrid until the end of his career, combined with his talents on the pitch that have helped Los Blancos to numerous titles and trophies since his arrival in 2019, have also attached the 22-year-old to a $1B release clause.
Pablo Gavi (FC Barcelona) - $1.05B
La Masia’s teenage talent is locked to a billion dollars. After quickly becoming part of the first team squad for Barcelona at just 17 years of age, the Spanish midfielder’s future panned out as promising as some of the previous academy greats at the Camp Nou. His performances for the Blaugranas in his first season — enough to win the 2022 Golden Boy award — quickly turned heads over at the directive office in Barcelona, with the club renewing the youngster until 2026 with a release clause of $1B.
Jules Kounde (FC Barcelona) - $1.05B
They want the Jules-Ronald duo to last a lifetime. Jules Kounde, one of the best young defenders in the world, made a bold transfer to Barcelona in 2022 after a successful stint at Sevilla. The Frenchman has so far played center defense and right back for Barcelona, demonstrating that he is a multifunctional player — one of the reasons why Kounde's €1 billion release clause was set by the Blaugranas at the time of his signing.
Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid) - $1.05B
The Brazilian is the Merengues’ starboy and his price tag shows it. Like Militāo and after playing an important role in Real Madrid’s 14th Champions League final victory against Liverpool in 2022, Florentino Perez (Real Madrid president) did not think twice about locking Vinicius down to a hefty and practically unattainable release clause. Vinicius both earned a contract extension until 2028, agreeing to a release clause of $1B.
Raphinha (FC Barcelona) - $1.05B
A silky Brazilian winger arriving to play in Barcelona...we’ve seen this story before. During last summer's ambitious spending-spree, the Catalunyan board was able to win the battle against Chelsea for the signing of Raphinha from Leeds United. The Neymar-esque midfielder is seen as one of the leaders of the 'new Barcelona' and the trust the board has on the winger is easily reflected on his price tag. The 26-year-old is amongst many in the Camp Nou with an incredible $1B release clause, staying tied to the club until June 2027.
Ronald Araujo (FC Barcelona) - $1.05B
The Uruguayan gladiator is going nowhere. Ronald Araujo is one of the world’s best defenders and the La Masia product is being regarded as that in Barcelona. Despite being linked to a move outside of LaLiga towards the expiry of his initial contract at the Camp Nou, the Blaugrana board felt the need to make an effort to keep the South American at the club for a long time coming. Araujo signed a new deal with Barcelona in 2022, keeping him at the club until June 2026 and with a release clause of $1B.
Pedri (FC Barcelona) - $1.05B
Pedri is Barça’s next generational (and billion dollar) midfielder. After coming to the Camp Nou in 2020 from UD Las Palmas at just 17, the role of the Spaniard seemed much of a youngster looking to gain experience with sporadic minutes with the first team. However, what seemed like a long-term adaptation process for the teenager quickly turned into yet another story of a Barcelona world-class youngster. The 2022 Golden Boy is now playing under an improved contract until 2026, agreeing to the same $1B release clause as others on this list at the Catalunya club.
Ansu Fati (FC Barcelona) - $1.05B
The direct heir to Lionel Messi’s No. 10, Ansu Fati came into Barcelona first-team play as one of the most promising youngsters coming out of La Masia. His speed, quick feet and goalscoring capabilities turned the Spaniard into an important player for a rebuilding Barcelona, leaning the club into tying the youngster down with a new contract and a $1B release clause. Billion dollar release clause or not, Fati hasn’t been able to live up to his price tag. Detrimental injuries and a lack of playing time under manager Xavi Hernández have set the winger’s development back, being loaned to Premier League’s Brighton last summer.
Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona) - $1.05B
The latest kid around the block is a billion dollar boy. After coming into the Barcelona first-team as the youngest-ever to debut, assist and score for both the Blaugranas and the Spanish national team, Yamal has become the latest highly coveted youngster from La Masia. The 16-year-old earned a new contract at the Camp Nou, seeing him attached to a buyout clause of $1.05B.
