Why are 1bn euro release clauses becoming more common?

In recent years, high release clauses have become more common as a way for teams to prevent their players from ing other clubs during transfer windows.

Footballers in Spain are required to have a release clause as per the country's laws, and they are agreed as part of contract negotiations.

A high - potentially unreachable - release clause gives clubs more security over a player's future for the duration of their contract, or until a new deal is agreed.

Earlier this week, Barcelona announced that teenage attacker Lamine Yamal has a release clause of 1bn euros (£840m) in his new contract.

England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will Real Madrid on a on a six-year deal on Sunday, has the same clause.

At the time of writing, 12 Real Madrid or Barcelona players have a 1bn euro release clause - Real's Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Eduardo Camavinga, Rodrygo and Alexander-Arnold, plus Barca's Ansu Fati, Pedri, Gavi, Ferran Torres, and Jules Kounde and Yamal.

Ronald Araujo's Barca contract has the same clause, but it reduces dramatically to 65m euros in the summer window, before rising to 80m euros in January 2026.

Although release clauses can be high, teams are still able to meet them.

In 2017, Paris St-Germain paid Barcelona forward Neymar Jr's release clause which was a then world record 222m euros (£200m).

It is suspected release clauses in Spain have risen in recent years because of the fees some Saudi Arabian clubs have been able to pay.

A release clause is a specific amount written into a player's contract which has to be met by a potential buying club.

If the clause is triggered, the club must allow the player to discuss a potential transfer. They are not obliged to move if personal are not agreed.

A release clause is agreed by the player, a player's representatives and the club when negotiating a contract.

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