Captain wrote:
Nah, it wouldn't be a buy back clause then.
When we bought chamberlain (and maybe when we bought Walcott) I remember add-on fees for us to be paid when a certain number of appearances are reached (maybe it was international caps too). This is a variable fee. Why wouldn't the same concept added in as a buy back option not work? More credible options would include a fee that depends on a % of the highest bid (say, from Man Utd).
But in general, here is why fixed buy back fees won't work. Say we agreed it for £25m and only when Barcelona want to sell - which I guess is what is being suggested here. If Fabregas is worth less now (after 2 years), we would offer less than our £25m option. If Fabregas is worth more, they sell elsewhere. If they were forced to sell only to us (something nobody has mentioned), that would at least be news amongst lots of reports of Man Utd or other interest. So much happens in 2 years in a player's career. I really don't think this is realistic.
