A youngster Manchester United could have signed for just £8 million this summer has just become a bit more expensive. Well, a lot more expensive.
In just one day, one of European football’s breakout talents has seen his release clause rise from £8 million to around £430 million.
Why so high? Let’s fair to say Barcelona have had their fingers burned before when it comes to losing players with a release clause in their contract, Paris Saint-Germain stunning not only the La Liga giants but the entire footballing world when they triggered Neymar‘s £200 million clause back in 2017.
Obviously keen to avoid a repeat of that situation amid interest from Manchester United – even if the days of £200 million signings look gone for even Europe’s most deep-pocketed clubs post-COVID – Barcelona are certainly leaving nothing for chance these days.
Pau Cubarsi has new release clause
Pau Cubarsi, had his previous release clause of £8 million still been in effect heading into the summer, would have had just about every high-profile side on the continent fluttering their eyelashes in his direction.
Only 17, the teenager may have only made his senior debut in January. But he plays with the poise and the confidence of a man with a decade of experience under his belt.
“Pau Cubarsi is an incredible player,” Barcelona boss Xavi told reporters.
“He’s been world-class. Guys, it’s not normal for a 17 years old to perform like that. I ran out of words to praise him. He’s at an exceptional level. He competes like an older player. It’s just insane.”
Even up against PSG in the Champions League quarter-finals, Cubarsi was typically flawless and unflappable. One astounding recovery challenge on the jet-heeled Kylian Mbappe – albeit the Frenchman would be flagged offside – showcased his defensive instincts, though it’s Cubarsi’s supreme passing range which marks him out as a centre-half destined for the elite.
“These young kids at Barca, they were tremendous (vs PSG). You look at the performances of players at this level. Sometimes you need that fearlessness of the likes of Cubarsi and (Lamine) Yamal coming in,” Man United legend Rio Ferdinand told TNT Sports, the latter catching the Red Devils eye according to Spanish publication Sport.
“You think what we were doing at 17, 18 years old… There’s no way we could have gone in there and performed at this level with (Cubarsi’s) energy and aura!
“The way their chests are out like ‘I’m meant to be here’. It was unreal. Really good to see.”
Pau Cubarsi is a ‘world-class’ talent
It is 20 years now since Man United snapped up a teenage Gerard Pique from Barcelona, albeit only briefly. Flash forward to 2024, and the man many have tipped to continue Pique’s Camp Nou legacy appears highly unlikely to follow in his Old Trafford footsteps.
“FC Barcelona and Pau Cubarsi have reached an agreement to extend the centre back’s contract with the club through to 30 June 2027,” reads a statement via the club’s official website. “The player’s buyout clause has been set at 500 million euros.
“The defender put pen to paper this Thursday morning.”
Cubarsi, of course, is not the only talented young centre-half on Man United’s radar. Everton colossus Jarrad Branthwaite is reportedly the priority, though interest in Giorgio Scalvini, Antonio Silva, Aaron Anselmino and Goncalo Inacio also remains.