According to reports from the Catalan press, Barcelona introduced a new system of progressive release clauses in youth contracts as early as the summer of 2024. However, this system did not yet apply to Dro.
FC Barcelona is doing everything possible to keep hold of its jewels and fend off clubs such as PSG, who can easily afford to sign these promising youngsters.
A progressive clause system designed to protect La Masia talents
Contracts are now structured with escalating clauses. The objective is clear: prevent a talent trained at La Masia from leaving at a bargain price, particularly to clubs like PSG, which are constantly monitoring Europe’s brightest prospects.
From now on, the release clause starts at six million euros at youth level and then increases based on milestones achieved. A call-up to the Youth League raises it to eight million. An appearance with Barça Atlètic pushes it to ten million. The fee climbs even higher with matches for the first team. Under this model, Dro would never have left for less than 25 million euros after his five official appearances with the senior squad. But in his case, it was already too late.
“He had a clause and we were unable to renew his contract in time. We had reached an agreement with his agent to meet and negotiate his extension once the player turned 18. After that, things accelerated and there was nothing more to say,” recently explained Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director.
