Arsenal and Chelsea stunned as target fitted with €150m release clause

Tom Weber

Updated: 13 Feb 2024 14:47 GMT
3 min read

Mauricio Pochettino, Mikel Arteta, WTF — © IMAGO

Ukraine star Georgiy Sudakov has been given a release clause of €150 million, according to Fabrizio Romano.

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The Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder is one of Europe's most intriguing prospects. The 21-year-old has been starring for club and country, in league play and even in Europe this season.

Unsurprisingly, then, the youngster has attracted high-profile attention. Already in 2023, the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea were being associated with Sudakov, while Juventus eventually ended the frame as well. The fact that the Gunners and the Blues were interested inevitably evoked memories of January 2023 when these two fought it out over Mykhailo Mudryk.

Besides Sudakov being a good friend of his former Shakhtar teammate, the 21-year-old could soon shatter the winger's record of being Ukraine's most expensive export.

© IMAGO - Georgiy Sudakov and Mykhailo Mudryk

Sudakov's ridiculous release clause

In January, Fabrizio Romano surprisingly revealed that Sudakov was on the verge of penning a new deal with his Ukrainian side despite already having extended his stay with the club just a few months prior. The crucial detail of his fresh contract, however, wasn't the length of it but his new release clause.

Romano reported that the 21-year-old was due to be given an exit clause north of €100m and he has now revealed the exact amount. According to the transfer expert, Sudakov's new release clause stands at a whopping €150m.

Although Shakhtar struck a deal with Chelsea for Mudryk potentially rising to €100m, they likely do not expect to actually receive €150m for Sudakov. Instead, this release clause simply gives them an advantage in transfer negotiations.

With the midfielder tied down until 2028, they will be under no pressure to sell unless someone actually triggers this utopian clause. Indeed, Romano has claimed that several offers in the region of €35m-€40m were already launched for the Ukrainian in January, but they were all rejected by Shakhtar.