Football Leaks: No anti-Real Madrid clause for Aguero
The website Football Leaks has published the terms of the agreement between Manchester City and Atlético when the player was signed in 2011.
Football Leaks are well-known to those who keep across what is happening in the world of player moevements and contracts. In fact, with recent stories involving Bale, Ozil, De Gea, Kroos and many other high-profile players, they seem to be making more headlines than the on-field activities themselves. Their latest revelation is to do with the 2011 signing of Sergio Aguero from Atlético Madrid to Manchester City and whereas other stories on leaked contracts have focused on the financial elements included, this one has a more interesting "missing" element.
The transfer itself was worth 36 million euros - to be paid in three equal annual instalments - and as we can see from the documents released the contract was signed by club representatives Simon Cliff and Miguel Ángel Gil on behalf of City and Atlético respectively.
The finances
On top of the initial fee, the Manchester club would pay €250,000 for each of the seasons Kun scored at least 15 goals. Another €250,000 if he made an appearance in 25 games or more during the season (the appearance wouldn't count if he came on after 70 minutes into a game). If he reached 50 games the figure would be doubled.
Another financial clause built in was for team success and if City were to win the Premier League with the Argentine striker in their ranks Atlético would receive one million euros. This happened twice - the first of which will live long in the memory for Sergio's last gasp winner against QPR. Success in the Champions League, specifically reaching and surpassing the semi-final stage, would also trigger payments to the LaLiga side but none have been realised to date. In fact, without the marksman, the Spanish side have had more joy on that front.
The anti-Real Madrid clause
Despite rumours to the contrary, this clause didn't exist. For five years commentators have used this to remove even the discussion that a new Galactico could take the form of the little goal-machine but now we know that the player is free to negociate with whoever he wants.
So, does this freedom to choose any club open the door wide for a big-money, huge headline move back to the Spanish capital but this time for the rivals of Atlético Madrid? It would appear not. After his five seasons for the rojiblancos Kun developed a love for them and has said, "I spent great times there and I couldn't betray them by signing for Real Madrid."
Well, that's that then. There's no way that further rumours will be created on that possible transfer.