Revealed: Barcelona target has €50m release clause after SURPRISE transfer

Cameron Smith

19 Sept 2023 19:40 BST
3 min read

Barcelona and Brighton & Hove Albion target Fabricio Diaz reportedly has a €50 million release clause at Al-Gharafa after his move to Qatar was confirmed on Monday.

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Diaz was heavily pursued by Barcelona as a long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets earlier this year, while Brighton were very close to signing him during the summer transfer window.

Uruguayan media outlet El Pais even reported that Diaz “could be ‘living his last days’ as a Liverpool Montevideo player as he’s now closing in on a move to Brighton, who ‘arrived strongly’ in recent hours.”

However, a move did not materialise and Brighton ended up landing Lille youngster Carlos Baleba instead.

Baleba has not yet made his Seagulls debut, with Roberto De Zerbi using the likes of Pascal Gross, Mahmoud Dahoud, Adam Lallana and Billy Gilmour in central midfield.

As for Diaz, he was touted as a potential Barca signing for months, with the Blaugrana keen on adding him to their first-team squad.

But, the former Liverpool Montevideo star, who shone at the U20 World Cup as he captained Uruguay to victory, shocked the footballing world by joining Qatari side Al-Gharafa SC.

They are currently second in the Qatar Stars League and have paid €5.6m to sign Diaz from Liverpool, as per Fabrizio Romano.

Diaz's release clause

Romano has also reported that a €50m release clause has been included in Diaz’s contract at Al-Gharafa. The 20-year-old has signed a five-year deal in Qatar, but his release clause could provide a route to one of Europe’s top clubs.

Barcelona have also scouted Royal Antwerp’s Arthur Vermeeren and Corinthians’ Gabriel Moscardo as they look to find an heir to the now-departed Busquets.

Oriol Romeu was signed from Girona for €3.4m this summer, but the former Southampton and Chelsea man is now 31 years old, and although his performances have been great since joining Xavi’s side, he isn’t a long-term option.

Diaz made 122 senior appearances for Liverpool Montevideo during his time at the club, scoring five goals and providing seven assists.