Barcelona Close To Including $1.15 Bn Release Clause In Teenage Star's New Deal: Report

FC Barcelona are reportedly in advance talks with midfielder Pedri over a contract renewal.

Pedri has agreed to sign a new deal that’ll keep him at Camp Nou until 2026. Barcelona are planning to include a mammoth release clause of $1.15 billion in Pedri’s new deal, reported Spanish publication Marca. The release clause would be a club record.

Even Lionel Messi’s release clause was not as big, with the former captain’s value set at $812 million while Antoine Griezmann’s was $928 million.

Offering Pedri a new and improved deal shows the 18-year-old midfielder’s worth on Ronald Koeman’s side. Pedri, who is currently out of action due to a muscle issue, was a crucial member of the Spain national team’s squad in the Euros 2020 earlier this year. However, he missed out on Spain’s semi-final and final of the Nations League as La Roja lost 2-1 to France in the final.

Despite being one of Barcelona’s top players in the current squad, Pedri is one of the lowest-paid members of the first-team squad. The new contract will significantly boast the Spaniard’s contract and move him into a higher salary bracket, reported soccer website Goal.

Despite Pedri’s impressive performances and many clubs showing interest in him, Barcelona were not approached with concrete offers and the young midfielder was happy to extend his stay at Camp Nou.

Pedri joined Las Palmas's youth setup in 2018 from CF Juventud Laguna and the following year, he made his competitive debut. He spent a season with Las Palmas, playing in the second-tier league in Spain before moving to Barcelona in the summer of 2020.

In 56 appearances for Barcelona, across all competitions, Pedri has scored four goals and provided six assists.

Barcelona are also working on contract renewals of other top players such as Ousmane Dembele, Ansu Fati and Gavi.

Following the departure of Messi this summer, 18-year-old Fati was handed the iconic No. 10 shirt at Camp Nou. The young left-winger has netted 18 goals and eight assists in 55 competitive appearances for Barcelona since his debut in the 2019-20 campaign.

Meanwhile, Dembele’s contract talks have become complicated. It has been reported that the Catalans have accused Dembele of going behind their back and opening negotiations with clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester United.