Who first dreamed up the notion of the release clause? Perhaps it was a ploy adopted from the business sector, perhaps it was invented by Mr. R. Clause himself.Either way, the release clause adds an interesting dynamic to the transfer market – a simple-yet-effective method of saying ‘If you want him that badly, this is how much you’ll have to pay. Don’t bother negotiating’Indeed, many release clauses are extortionate, especially in regards to younger players, but that’s precisely the point. Nether the less, the Premier League has never shied away from activating them throughout the years Âand just to prove it, here’s FIVE Arsenal are reportedly prepared to meet when the transfer market reopens in January.
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AYMERIC LAPORTE – £34m
Rumours of Arsenal activating Aymeric Laporte’s seismic £34millon release clause in January have already hit the tabloids:
That’s certainly an audacious sum for a 20 year-old who has only broken his 100 league appearances milestone this season. But the Athletic Bilbao prodigy is considered to be one of the most exciting defensive prospects in European football, whilst Arsenal desperately require added bodies at the back after obliging 5 foot 10 full-back Nacho Monreal to fill in at centre-half against Hull City last weekend. Indeed, the centre-back’s performances over the last few seasons, as detailed below, have shown great promise and progression:
And he’s currently leading La Liga’s charts for interceptions:
Once again, the France U21’s release clause is certainly excessive – the Gunners paid just £1million more for Alexis Sanchez this summer. But it seems like a wise enough investment, and just in case you need further convincing, here’s a look at Laporte in action:
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PACO ALCACER – £14.5m
Arsenal may have snapped up former Manchester United star Danny Welbeck on deadline day, but their strikeforce is hardly exemplary when compared to the quality and depth at Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United. One solution comes in the form of Valencia trailblazer Paco Alcacer, whose £14.5million release clause is viewed as so cheap in his native Spain that one publication have dubbed him ‘the bargain of Europe.’ Indeed, in the current climate, that figure is remarkably cheap considering how potent the 21 year-old has been over the last twelve months, as shown below:
And that impressive form in front of goal has seen Alcacer muscle his way to the forefront of Vincente del Bosque’s plans for the national team – the Spaniard has claimed four caps since his debut in August, netting thrice along the way. Here’s a look at the 5 foot 11 forward in action:
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Fernando Torres-esque dare I say, demonstrating no particular defining attribute but a strong, varied all-round game. Arsenal have already been linked with Alcacer in the tabloids, along with Chelsea, but rumour has it Valencia are about to increase their starlet’s release clause to a whopping £40million:
JULIAN DRAXLER – £37million
The last thing Arsenal need right now is yet another attacking midfielder, but Arsene Wenger remains persistent in his pursuit of Bundesliga prodigy Julian Draxler.
The Schalke starlet was reportedly subject to a Gunners bid last January, and he’s been linked with an Emirates switch once again ahead of the coming transfer window:
£37million would constitute the second-largest transfer spend in Arsenal history, but the 21 year-old already appears worth the punt – take this incredible assist to Raul for example:
A creative forward with exceptional dribbling skills, a lethal eye for goal and an unusual 6 foot 2 frame, the German international is reminiscent of a young Zinedine Zidane. Here’s a look at his top five strikes in the Bundesliga:
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He’s started the current campaign strongly too, netting twice in six league outings – including this goal against Hertha Berlin:
But whether the fans and the board could condone Arsene Wenger investing yet another incredible sum in an attacking midfielder remains to be seen.
WILLIAM CARVALHO – £37million
Arsenal’s midfield is in intrinsic need of some added balance and physicality – even Arsene Wenger has called for a signing “like Vieira or Petit” -and it appears the man to provide it could be Sporting Lisbon star William Carvalho. According to Portuguese publication A Bola, the Gunners failed in a deadline day bid for the 22 year-old, whilst other sources claim Wenger’s long-term interest will be revived in January:
The Portugal international is an absolute beast, measuring in at 6 foot 2 and weighing about 14 stone. That gives him an incredibly imposing physique which, combined with a simple-yet-effective play-breaking style, is quickly drawing the attention of the European elite. Here’s a look at Carvalho in action:
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And his stats from the World Cup:
£37million is a huge investment, but it would at least be in a department of the Arsenal first team that desperately requires it. There are suggestions the Gunners could eventually sign Carvalho for significantly cheaper however, after rejecting a new contract at Estadio Jose Alvalade last month.
Munir El-Haddadi – £9.4m
Representing the significantly cheaper end of the release clause spectrum is Barcelona youngster Munir El-Haddadi, linked with an Arsenal move back in September:
The 19 year-old has already demonstrated great promise in finding one goal and one assist in seven appearances for Barcelona’s senior side – including this goal against Elche:
This strike for the B team wasn’t too bad either:
Indeed, the 5 foot 9 forward is already looking like the next La Masia product who could make the grade at top level; Vincente del Bosque wasted no time in rewarding El-Haddadi with his first cap for Spain back in September.
The £9.4million release clause appears well worth the punt, but Barcelona are already planning to offer their latest prodigy a new deal, being currently on a youth team contract, that will see his buy-out fee rise to around €55million.
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