The most tempting release clauses that can be activated in 2026 include a prominent Arsenal target or two and some potential bargains.
The most tempting release clauses that can be activated in 2026 include a prominent Arsenal target or two and some potential bargains.
This is an inexhaustive list of players with release clauses which could actually viably be triggered from summer 2025 onwards. We are talking sub-£100m, not your daft £1bn La Liga jobs.
Goalkeepers with tempting release clauses
Alex Remiro
The usual suspects have been linked in Aston Villa and Newcastle but Remiro has never played outside of Spain and has only been capped twice by the European champions. A release clause that did stand at around £50m has fallen to £10.4m, mind, with Real Sociedad contract expiry on the horizon.
Diogo Costa
Manchester United have been linked with Portugal international keeper Costa before and Newcastle have been mentioned in passing too.
It doesn’t feel like Porto will hold out for the full £51.9m, nor that any club would pay it.
Defenders with tempting release clauses
Edmond Tapsoba
Newcastle were said to have offered £50m for Bayer Leverkusen defender Tapsoba in summer 2025; it is unknown whether or not they realised it might take as much as £86.2m.
Castello Lukeba
An eclectic cast of Liverpool, Spurs, Bayern Munich and Manchester City have been mentioned in discussions over Lukeba’s future, with a suggestion that Leipzig might not necessarily hold out for the French centre-half’s entire £68.9m release clause.
Ousmane Diomande
Crystal Palace were linked as a replacement for Marc Guehi, with Leeds interested more recently. But neither club will be paying £68.9m for the Sporting centre-half if they do sign him.
Enzo Boyomo
Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are known admirers of Osasuna centre-half Boyomo, who has been crucial for a side fighting to stay in La Liga during his time.
Boyomo stayed at Real Valladolid for just one campaign before moving to Pamplona; whoever triggers his £21m release clause might expect to keep him for a little longer.
Kevin Lomonaco
“I really like the Premier League. It’s what I watch the most. I like West Ham,” should have raised an absurd number of red flags within the departments of any and all clubs charged with scrutinising the character and even sanity of a 23-year-old Lomonaco, even before they were relegated.
The centre-half has attracted interest from the Hammers, Crystal Palace, Sevilla and Wolfsburg in his £16.7m release clause.
Midfielders with tempting release clauses
Issa Doumbia
Sporting immediately slapped a £69m release clause on the Italian midfielder, who signed a five-year contract with the Portuguese giants.
Forwards with tempting release clauses
Samu Aghehowa
Another sign that Chelsea might have cracked something in the transfer code, Aghehowa was targeted for around £35m in what was basically a Conor Gallagher swap before the striker changed his surname, joined Porto and teased the sort of form which might attract £86.3m interest.
Newcastle would have liked him but not at that price.
Vangelis Pavlidis
In a strong summer for centre-forwards having release clauses triggered, Pavlidis was never likely to follow Hugo Ekitike, Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko.
Newcastle thought £86.3m was a little too rich for their tastes. Then he had two 30-goal seasons with Benfica.
Nico Williams
The bad news for Arsenal is that the Athletic Bilbao winger has extended his contract to 2035. The good news is that he still has a release clause, and it’s worth £77.6m. You’re still thinking about the bad news, aren’t you?
Rodrigo Mora
It took time for the first-team breakthrough to come, to the extent that Al-Ittihad almost tempted the teenage Portugal youth international away with the promise of minutes and money. But Mora stuck around, signed a new deal with a £60.4m release clause and won the league title.
Takefusa Kubo
A substantial gamble at £51.6m but if Kubo can keep fit and find his best form, the money would be paid back quickly.
Victor Munoz
‘Munoz appears to ideally fit the profile of attacker Newcastle are looking to acquire,’ reads one line from The Athletic on the search for Anthony Gordon’s replacement. For £34.5m, they could sign Jacob Murphy’s next understudy.
