This window has seen the likes of Erling Haaland and Leandro Cabrera switch clubs for cu-rate fees. In today’s inflated market, cheap release clauses present bargains that can be exploited.
Here are 10 players with release clauses far too low for their current talent levels.
Here are 10 players with release clauses far too low for their current talent levels.
Tomás Esteves: €10 million
Even at the tender age of 17, Esteves’s potential is too obvious to be ignored, and while he isn’t getting playing time at Porto, he could get it at Dortmund or elsewhere.
Talented right back who can pick out passes and combine in the final third.
Even at the tender age of 17, Esteves’s potential is too obvious to be ignored, and while he isn’t getting playing time at Porto, he could get it at Dortmund or elsewhere.
Talented right back who can pick out passes and combine in the final third.
Francesco Trincão: €30 million
While he only just cracked into Braga's XI last month, his talent has been on display since Portugal's victorious 2018 U-19 Euros.
Trincão is an elusive right winger who can churn in goals and run at defenders with the ball stuck to his feet.
While he only just cracked into Braga's XI last month, his talent has been on display since Portugal's victorious 2018 U-19 Euros.
Trincão is an elusive right winger who can churn in goals and run at defenders with the ball stuck to his feet.
Unai Núñez: €30 million
After Aymeric Laporte and Kepa Arrizabalaga, Núñez could be the next Lezama product to find his way into the Premier League.
He's a physically imposing, rough and rugged center back who can win aerial duels and wrestle center forwards off the ball.
After Aymeric Laporte and Kepa Arrizabalaga, Núñez could be the next Lezama product to find his way into the Premier League.
He's a physically imposing, rough and rugged center back who can win aerial duels and wrestle center forwards off the ball.
Lorenzo Pellegrini: €30 million
The Italian playmaker is a creative dynamo in Paulo Fonseca's Giallorossi side, breaking the lines, devastating defenses in transition and picking out pockets of space in dangerous areas.
€30 million is terrific value for the 23-year-old.
The Italian playmaker is a creative dynamo in Paulo Fonseca's Giallorossi side, breaking the lines, devastating defenses in transition and picking out pockets of space in dangerous areas.
€30 million is terrific value for the 23-year-old.
Mohammed Salisu: €12 million
The Ghanaian has gone from academy football to being heralded as one of the most promising defenders in La Liga in the wake of Fernando Calero's departure to Espanyol.
Quick, physical, and steadily improving on the ball, €12m is a massive bargain.
The Ghanaian has gone from academy football to being heralded as one of the most promising defenders in La Liga in the wake of Fernando Calero's departure to Espanyol.
Quick, physical, and steadily improving on the ball, €12m is a massive bargain.
Lautaro Martínez: €111 million
There's fewer than 10 clubs in football who can afford to pay his buyout fee, but among those desperate for a stellar striker on the cusp of his prime, Lautaro presents guaranteed return on investment.
Should be Barcelona's #1 summer priority.
There's fewer than 10 clubs in football who can afford to pay his buyout fee, but among those desperate for a stellar striker on the cusp of his prime, Lautaro presents guaranteed return on investment.
Should be Barcelona's #1 summer priority.
Adolfo Gaich: $15 million
Nobody produces center forwards better than Argentina, and Gaich could the latest in a long line of strikers to emerge.
He’s a bulky 9 who can carry the ball in transition, win long balls, hold up possession, and consistently find the back of the net.
Nobody produces center forwards better than Argentina, and Gaich could the latest in a long line of strikers to emerge.
He’s a bulky 9 who can carry the ball in transition, win long balls, hold up possession, and consistently find the back of the net.
Rui Silva: €15 million
After playing backup to Memo Ochoa and Javi Varas, Silva is finally starting for Granada, with solid reactions, top-notch 1v1 skills, and a promising ability on the ball.
Given the fact that his deal expires next summer, he could leave for even less.
After playing backup to Memo Ochoa and Javi Varas, Silva is finally starting for Granada, with solid reactions, top-notch 1v1 skills, and a promising ability on the ball.
Given the fact that his deal expires next summer, he could leave for even less.
Chimy Ávila: €25 million
It’s been a rocky road to the top for Ávila, but at 25, he finds himself as the heart and soul of this Osasuna side.
Hard-working striker who can win aerial duels despite his short stature, hassle defenders, and score scrappy goals in tight games.
It’s been a rocky road to the top for Ávila, but at 25, he finds himself as the heart and soul of this Osasuna side.
Hard-working striker who can win aerial duels despite his short stature, hassle defenders, and score scrappy goals in tight games.
Jack Grealish: £45 million
Aston Villa’s hopes of survival are pinned on Grealish, but with the club under pressure from FFP, they may have no choice but to part ways with him next summer.
He can slice through defenses, pick out killer passes, and will his team to victory.
Aston Villa’s hopes of survival are pinned on Grealish, but with the club under pressure from FFP, they may have no choice but to part ways with him next summer.
He can slice through defenses, pick out killer passes, and will his team to victory.
