FC Barcelona today officially announced the contract renewal of their left-back prodigy, Alejandro Balde. The youngster’s contract signing ceremony will be held today, but the actual contract had already been signed before the team left for their USA pre-season tour.
With his new contract, Balde will be tied to Barcelona till 2028. Furthermore, he will also join a very exclusive group of players in Barcelona’s history, i.e., those who have had a release clause of €1 billion.
As Mundo Deportivo has reported, only nine players, including Balde, have had such a high release clause at Barcelona. Most of these players are currently with the club, and the high release clause reflects the club’s trust in these players. These players are as follows:
Alejandro Balde:
The left-back became the latest entrant on this list yesterday, as his new contract with Barcelona will go up till 2028.
Ansu Fati:
Ansu Fati last renewed his contract with FC Barcelona in October 2021, which has tied him with the club till 2027. He has a €1 billion release clause, but he is the only player on the list currently not playing for Barcelona.
Ferran Torres:
While Torres struggled at Barcelona after arriving, there were high expectations from the forward when he was signed in December 2021. These expectations compelled the Catalans to put in a €1 billion release clause in his contract.
Raphinha:
Raphinha was signed last summer after a successful season in the Premier League. Barcelona protected the winger by putting a €1 billion release clause in his contract.
Jules Kounde:
Kounde was already a highly-rated defender in La Liga when Barcelona bought him from Sevilla. As the defender had a high demand in the market, the Catalans thought it prudent to have a €1 billion release clause for him.
Pedri Gonzalez:
Pedri, whose contract with Barcelona runs till 2026, was the first player to get a €1 billion release clause with Barcelona.
Ronald Araujo:
The current third captain of Barcelona last renewed his contract with the club in April 2022, which included a €1 billion release clause for him.
Gavi:
The 19-year-old midfielder is one of the players whom the Catalan giants believe to be integral for their project, and thus have got a €1 billion release clause to remain in control of his future.
Noah Darvich:
Darvich is the only one on this list who is not yet a first-team player, but Barcelona put in a €1 billion release clause in his latest contract, showing their expectations from the youngster going forward.
All of these players are important assets for the club, and their high release clauses are fully justified. Most of them are still very young, and having a high release clause will provide Barcelona with some security, especially as they already have experienced losing Neymar, who was believed to have a high release clause at the time he left the club.
