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The highest release clauses in football: Trent Alexander-Arnold joins Jude Bellingham with biggest exit fee as Spanish giants dominate list
Teams from all over the world often use release clauses in football to protect their star players from other clubs in the transfer market. But not every side can afford to include extremely high exit clauses, so it’s often only the biggest teams that insert these into their players’ contracts. Alexander-Arnold now has an incredibly high release clause in his dealGetty Release clauses are also required in Spain, with LaLiga rules stating that they have to be in all contracts. As such, Barcelona and Real Madrid players often have the highest release clauses in world football because they are two of the world’s biggest and richest clubs. Jude Bellingham joined Los Blancos in the summer of 2023 from Borussia Dortmund and has a $1bn break clause in his contract at the Bernabeu, with Kylian Mbappe said to have the same. And now Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly been given that clause in his deal after it was confirmed he would be joining the club from Liverpool on a six-year contract, signing early to play in the Club World Cup. This works out at a staggering £871million, and there are plenty of other Barcelona and Real Madrid players with similar clauses. Barcelona quartet Pedri, Gavi, Ronald Araujo and Ferran Torres all also have similar to Bellingham, Mbappe and Alexander-Arnold. Ansu Fati, who spent some time on loan at Brighton, has a $1bn exit clause too. It means no Premier League players make the top ten as it is dominated by LaLiga… The highest release clauses in football Trent Alexander-Arnold – Real Madrid – €1bn (£871m/$1.08bn) Trent has left Liverpool to sign a monster deal at Real MadridGetty By joining Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold now joins this exclusive list as one of the players with the highest release clauses in football. Los Blancos paid Liverpool £10million to bring the right-back to the club early so he can feature in the Club World Cup. And as he signed his contract in Spain, he tied himself down to six years with the iconic side and a reported break clause of $1bn. Alexander-Arnold will team up with his good friend and England teammate Bellingham who has the same in his deal. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid – €1bn (£871m/$1.08bn) Bellingham’s time at Real Madrid has seen him crowned champion of Europe Getty Since signing for Real, Bellingham has established himself as a fans-favourite at the Bernabeu thanks to many top displays. The England international is in the conversation as the world’s best player, and he’s not planning on moving on anytime soon. When asked about his future, he said: “This is the club I want to be at for the next 10 to 15 years of my life. I am loving it there.” And the good news for Los Blancos fans is that no one is going to be able to afford his ludicrous release clause, so unless they decide to sell for less, he isn’t going anywhere. Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid – €1bn (£871m/$1.08bn) Mbappe has one of the biggest release clauses in footballGetty Since signing for Real Madrid in 2024, Mbappe hasn’t had the smoothest of rides, missing out on the LaLiga title and struggling to get going personally in the league and in Europe. However, he has grown into his No.9 shirt with Los Blancos and ended up netting 31 times in 34 LaLiga games along with another seven in the Champions League before losing to Arsenal. It leaves the 26-year-old as still one of the best players in the world and his contract at Real lives up to that tag. He won’t be leaving the club unless a team comes in to pay his reported $1bn clause. Ansu Fati – Barcelona – €1bn (£871m/$1.08bn) Fati had a loan spell with BrightonGetty In 2021, Fati signed a new deal with Barcelona after he burst onto the scene and looked to be the heir to Messi. He hasn’t progressed as much as some expected and spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Brighton before barely playing at all this campaign. However, the Spanish international is still a sensational player and will almost certainly enjoy an excellent career, even if he doesn’t reach those unrealistic expectations. But if he ever does, Barcelona are protected in the transfer market due to his incredible break clause. Pedri – Barcelona – €1bn (£871m/$1.08bn) In Pedri, Barcelona believe they have the next Andreas IniestaGetty Pedri is one of two young Barcelona midfielders who the club believe can emulate Xavi and Andreas Iniesta. The Spanish duo were the bedrock of one of the greatest club sides we have ever seen, and Xavi helped bring Pedri through as Barcelona manager before departing the club. He believes that Pedri is already at the level of his former teammate, which explains why he also has a 1 billion euro release clause. And he’s going to new heights under Hansi Flick. Ronald Araujo – Barcelona – €1bn (£871m/$1.08bn) Araujo is the ideal modern-day centre-backGetty Unlike some of these other Barcelona players, Araujo isn’t from La Masia and was signed in 2018 from Uruguay. The 26-year-old has risen through the ranks to become one of their most important players,
Teams from all over the world often use release clauses in football to protect their star players from other clubs in the transfer market.
But not every side can afford to include extremely high exit clauses, so it’s often only the biggest teams that insert these into their players’ contracts.
Release clauses are also required in Spain, with LaLiga rules stating that they have to be in all contracts.
As such, Barcelona and Real Madrid players often have the highest release clauses in world football because they are two of the world’s biggest and richest clubs.
Jude Bellingham joined Los Blancos in the summer of 2023 from Borussia Dortmund and has a $1bn break clause in his contract at the Bernabeu, with Kylian Mbappe said to have the same.
And now Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly been given that clause in his deal after it was confirmed he would be joining the club from Liverpool on a six-year contract, signing early to play in the Club World Cup.
This works out at a staggering £871million, and there are plenty of other Barcelona and Real Madrid players with similar clauses.
Barcelona quartet Pedri, Gavi, Ronald Araujo and Ferran Torres all also have similar to Bellingham, Mbappe and Alexander-Arnold.
Ansu Fati, who spent some time on loan at Brighton, has a $1bn exit clause too.
It means no Premier League players make the top ten as it is dominated by LaLiga…
The highest release clauses in football
Trent Alexander-Arnold – Real Madrid – €1bn (£871m/$1.08bn)
By joining Real Madrid, Alexander-Arnold now joins this exclusive list as one of the players with the highest release clauses in football.
Los Blancos paid Liverpool £10million to bring the right-back to the club early so he can feature in the Club World Cup.
And as he signed his contract in Spain, he tied himself down to six years with the iconic side and a reported break clause of $1bn.
Alexander-Arnold will team up with his good friend and England teammate Bellingham who has the same in his deal.
Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid – €1bn (£871m/$1.08bn)
Since signing for Real, Bellingham has established himself as a fans-favourite at the Bernabeu thanks to many top displays.
The England international is in the conversation as the world’s best player, and he’s not planning on moving on anytime soon.
When asked about his future, he said: “This is the club I want to be at for the next 10 to 15 years of my life. I am loving it there.”
And the good news for Los Blancos fans is that no one is going to be able to afford his ludicrous release clause, so unless they decide to sell for less, he isn’t going anywhere.
Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid – €1bn (£871m/$1.08bn)
Since signing for Real Madrid in 2024, Mbappe hasn’t had the smoothest of rides, missing out on the LaLiga title and struggling to get going personally in the league and in Europe.
However, he has grown into his No.9 shirt with Los Blancos and ended up netting 31 times in 34 LaLiga games along with another seven in the Champions League before losing to Arsenal.
It leaves the 26-year-old as still one of the best players in the world and his contract at Real lives up to that tag.
He won’t be leaving the club unless a team comes in to pay his reported $1bn clause.
Ansu Fati – Barcelona – €1bn (£871m/$1.08bn)
In 2021, Fati signed a new deal with Barcelona after he burst onto the scene and looked to be the heir to Messi.
He hasn’t progressed as much as some expected and spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Brighton before barely playing at all this campaign.
However, the Spanish international is still a sensational player and will almost certainly enjoy an excellent career, even if he doesn’t reach those unrealistic expectations.
But if he ever does, Barcelona are protected in the transfer market due to his incredible break clause.
Pedri – Barcelona – €1bn (£871m/$1.08bn)
Pedri is one of two young Barcelona midfielders who the club believe can emulate Xavi and Andreas Iniesta.
The Spanish duo were the bedrock of one of the greatest club sides we have ever seen, and Xavi helped bring Pedri through as Barcelona manager before departing the club.
He believes that Pedri is already at the level of his former teammate, which explains why he also has a 1 billion euro release clause.
And he’s going to new heights under Hansi Flick.
Ronald Araujo – Barcelona – €1bn (£871m/$1.08bn)
Unlike some of these other Barcelona players, Araujo isn’t from La Masia and was signed in 2018 from Uruguay.
The 26-year-old has risen through the ranks to become one of their most important players, but injuries have hampered his most recent campaign.
He can play at centre-back or at right-back and possesses pace, strength and calmness on the ball.
His deal expires in 2026, but before that, any team wanting to sign him will have to obliterate the world transfer record.
Gavi – Barcelona – €1bn (£871m/$1.08bn)
The other half of Barcelona’s new star Spanish midfield duo is Gavi.
He is another Spanish international and someone who Barcelona hope to build their team around.
Gavi likes to play between the lines and looks to combine with the other players on his side to fashion chances for others.
He’s already a sublime footballer, so it’s no wonder the LaLiga giants whacked in a huge release clause.
The 20-year-old has been working back to his best after an ACL injury, but hopes are still very high for this wonderful midfielder.
Ferran Torres – Barcelona – €1bn (£871m/$1.08bn)
The final Barcelona player on this list might surprise some, but former Man City forward Ferran Torres does have a 1 billion euro release clause in his deal.
He joined the Spanish side in 2021 from City in a deal worth up to $65million.
He took some time to really show his true talent and is often used as a substitute rather than as a regular starter.
But this season, he netted 13 times in all competitions and proved a big part of Flick’s side.
Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid – €1bn (£871m/$1.08bn)
Vinicius Jr is arguably the most exciting player on this list, along with Bellingham.
The Brazilian winger is one of the most direct players in the world and has added finishing and end product to his crazy dribbling ability.
Vinicius Jr played a huge role in the 2021/22 Champions League win, scoring the winner against Liverpool.
He just missed out on the 2024 Ballon d’Or to Rodri and is determined to put that right in 2025.
He became a member of the 1 billion euros club in 2023 and will likely stay at Real Madrid for the majority of his career.
Eduardo Camavinga – Real Madrid – €1bn (£871m/$1.08bn)
There aren’t too many players in world football who can play two positions as well as Camavinga.
The Frenchman joined Real Madrid as a midfielder and always looks brilliant when he plays there.
However, due to the club’s sheer amount of options, he also plays at left-back.
Given he’s so young, you would think this might be a challenge, but it looks as if he’s played there his whole life.
Camavinga is already an important player for France and could go on to make countless appearances for Real Madrid.
Rodrygo – Real Madrid – €1bn (£871m/$1.08bn)
Rodrygo is another Real Madrid player to join the 1 billion Euro club after signing a new deal in November 2023.
The LaLiga giants extended the Brazilian’s contract to 2028.
Rodrygo formed a key part of Real Madrid’s lethal attack during the 2023/24 campaign as they won the Champions League and Spanish top-flight, however, with the arrival of Mbappe, his minutes have somewhat reduced.
And that had led to rumours of his future at the club coming to an end this summer.
