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In such an active and inflated transfer market, the role of super-agents like Mino Raiola and Jorge Mendes is becoming more and more significant as time passes. Most of the transfer dealings are overseen by the said agents who take a substantial cut if something materializes.
As a result, the growing influence of agents in shaping the functioning of the current transfer market. The credit for bringing these revolutionary changes to fruition has to go to the enigmatic Mino Raiola.
Mino Raiola and his prominence over the game
The quintessential super-agent, Mino Raiola has initiated multiple extravagant deals in his long career. Paul Pogba's transfer saga was practically concocted by none other than Raiola himself. The 53-year-old agent was hugely involved in the Frenchman's departure from Old Trafford in 2012. Even so, he pocketed millions after negotiating a deal back to Manchester United, just four years later.
According to certain reports, Mino Raiola earns close to £800,000 in every deal that he finalizes. This kind of commission dwarves the money that other super agents like Jorge Mendes and Jonathan Barnett make when a deal goes through. While the duo handle as many as 149 and 673 clients respectively, Mino Raiola only has 77 players on his books.
Nevertheless, the 77 players that the Dutch-Italian represents are the who's who of football. From promising youngsters like Xavi Simmons to proven legends like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, all appear on Mino Raiola's roster. On that note, let's take a look at five of the most valuable clients of the leading super-agent at the moment:
#5 Marco Verratti - €55m
Enjoying his 10th season with PSG, Marco Verratti has gradually cemented his position in the midfield of the French giants over the past few seasons. The Italian technician has racked up a massive 348 appearances for PSG so far, having moved to Paris in the summer of 2012 from Pescara for a nominal fee of €12m.
Amidst serious interest from Barcelona in 2017, Verratti controversially dropped Donato Di Campli from the post of his agent in favor of high-profile Mino Raiola. While no transfer to Catalonia materialized, Raiola successfully negotiated an improved contract for his client in 2019, extending his stay in Paris until 2024.
Despite PSG signing a hoard of midfielders in the past few years, Verratti has remained a mainstay at the Parc des Princes. His unconventional creativity and agile stance enable him to continuously put in some top-notch performances. Aged 28, the Italian international is comfortably one of the best players in his position.
#4 Paul Pogba - €60m
At the center of one of the biggest deals in footballing history, Paul Pogba continues to be associated with Manchester United, six years on from his move. The flamboyant box-to-box midfielder is one of the most talented footballers on the planet as of now. To add to his marketable profile, the 28-year-old Frenchman is represented by none other than Mino Raiola.
As mentioned earlier, Mino Raiola played a crucial part in shaping the career of his most decisive client. Under the guidance of the Dutch-Italian super agent, Pogba controversially decided to leave Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United in 2012 to join Juventus on a free transfer. In Turin, Pogba established himself as one of the hottest properties in world football.
Possessing the habit of milking maximum profit out of a possible transaction, Mino Raiola exploited his client's popularity to the full extent. He initiated Pogba's record-breaking €105m return to United in 2016, pocketing a reported €25m as commission. With Pogba's current contract with the Red Devils set to expire next summer, Mino Raiola will have a busy day in office, come 2022.
Also read: 5 best dribblers in the world right now (September 2021)
#3 Gianluigi Donnarumma - €65m
In an absolute shocker of a move, Mino Raiola concocted a transfer for Gianluigi Donnarumma to join PSG free of cost at the end of his Milan contract. While many expected the Italian prodigy to eventually leave the San Siro, few would've predicted a transfer to go through without the involvement of any fee.
Even though Milan received absolutely nothing in return for their superstar, Mino Raiola reportedly pocketed a hefty €20m commission. Having negotiated a contract with the French giants which would see his client earn twice of what he was paid in Italy, Raiola completed one of the most lucrative deals of his career.
Valued at €65m, the 22-year-old shot-stopper ranks third on Mino Raiola's roster in terms of market rate. With the majority of goalkeepers hitting their peaks around the 30-year-old mark, Donnarumma has more time than anyone to establish his legacy. The young superstar is yet to make his PSG debut, having signed a five-year contract with the Parisians in July.
#2 Matthijs de Ligt - €75m
Another youngster in Mino Raiola's star-studded clientele, Matthijs de Ligt joined Juventus in a blockbuster €85.5m transfer in the summer of 2019. The then 19-year-old was subject to a lengthy transfer saga, with Barcelona also vying for the Dutchman's signature.
Predictably, it was Raiola who was pulling the strings behind the said conundrum, which ended with Juventus forking out an insane amount of transfer fees.
Following a tough debut campaign, De Ligt has successfully established himself as an integral part of the Bianconeri. Due to his resurgent form, the promising center-back was given an extended run at the back, making 36 appearances last season. De Ligt responded in style, turning in some solid and consistent performances.
At 22, the 31-time capped Dutch international has a long and propitious career ahead of him. Considering Mino Raiola's outspoken nature, interest in De Ligt will always remain extravagant.
Barcelona were yet again linked with a possible transfer for the youngster this summer. If De Ligt is to secure another move in the future, Mino Raiola will make sure it involves a record-breaking transfer fee.
#1 Erling Braut Haaland - €135m
With Kylian Mbappe destined to join Real Madrid somewhere down the line, Erling Haaland is easily the most sought-after player in the world at the time of writing. To add more spice to his prolonged transfer saga, he is represented by none other than Mino Raiola, with the Norwegian being the super agent's most prized asset.
Controversially, the Campania-born agent visited all the top European clubs along with Alf-Inge Haaland this summer to discuss the prolific striker's future. His extended tour started in Barcelona and went on to include destinations like Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City.
With Haaland's release clause cut down to €75m, as reported by Marca, a potential sale could be in the works as early as January of 2022.
Aged just 21, Haaland scored a whopping 41 goals in as many games for Borussia Dortmund last season, laying out a further 12 assists in all competitions. Having proven his consistency at such a tender age, Haaland's inevitable sale in the coming years could pocket Mino Raiola, the biggest commission of his elongated career.
Also read: 5 most overpaid Manchester United players at the moment
