10 highest release clauses in football

#T3 Brahim Diaz - £634.9 million

That Brahim Diaz is so high on this list tells us enough about the potential that the 21-year-old forward has. But Diaz could not break into the Real Madrid first-team last season due to the continued brilliance of Karim Benzema.

Diaz has now moved on a season-long loan deal to AC Milan where the highly-valued striker is sure to get much deserved game-time. His contract with Real Madrid is till 2025, and it is a given that they will want their prized asset back soon enough.

#T3 Luka Modric - £634.9 million

Now 35, Luka Modric is often the subject of speculation that his magical playmaking powers are on the wane. But the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner continues to survive the pessimism as he came back to his best after a poor 2018-19 season.

Modric played 40 times for Real Madrid at the centre of the park last season, scoring five times and picking up six assists as Zinedine Zidane's wards brought the league title back to Madrid.

Modric has done it all at the La Liga giants but remains hungry for more. With his contract expiring next year, he has already expressed his wish to retire as a Real Madrid player.

#2 Antoine Griezmann - £677.2 million

After becoming one of the premier players in the world during a brilliant spell at Atletico Madrid, big things were expected of Antoine Griezmann when he moved to Nou Camp last season.

He has, however, failed to live up to the expectations so far. This, despite scoring 15 times last season. That is because Griezmann was supposed to rekindle the MSN magic with Luis Suarez and Messi. They failed to be on the same wavelength often enough, though, as Barcelona went trophyless in a disastrous season.

With Griezmann's contract running till 2024, he will get one more chance to resurrect his Barcelona career under Koeman this time. Interestingly, Griezmann was bought by Barcelona from Atletico after activating his buyout clause. His current release clause, however, is the second-highest in the world.

#1 Karim Benzema - £846.7 million

Karim Benzema possibly remains the premier centre-forward in the world and seems to be going from strength to strength at Real Madrid.

After the departure of Ronaldo and the decline of Gareth Bale, Benzema has taken on more responsibility as the fulcrum of Real Madrid's attack. With 21 goals and eight assists last season, he led the team gallantly as Madrid won the league, and there seems to be no stopping the Frenchman.

Benzema's current contract expires in 2022, but Real Madrid may end up offering him an extension despite him being 32 because of the red-hot form he is in and the immense accolades he has brought to the club over the years. His astronomical release clause will ensure that no one even attempts to snare him before that.

Edited by Bhargav