Villarreal add €50m release clause to Kone deal

€50 million release clause has been added to the new contract of 17‑year‑old midfielder Moussa Kone, with a salary rise. The deal keeps him at Villarreal until at least the summer of 2029. Manchester City, part of a transfer race that also involves Paris Saint‑Germain and two La Liga giants, are keen to sign the Villarreal wonderkid.

Transfer interest intensifies

Barcelona and Real Madrid, two La Liga giants, are also monitoring the teenager alongside Manchester City. The club’s sporting director Hugo Viana has been highlighted for his role in targeting talents such as Kone.

Agent Modibo Sissoko told Africafoot in May that Kone has already joined Juvenil A and will move to Team C, B and the senior squad next year as his salary rises. He added that clubs including Juventus and Real Madrid have shown interest, but Villarreal have decided to keep the youngster for now.

Olympique de Marseille have expressed strong interest, have contacted Kone’s representatives and are negotiating a potential signing, though no price has been disclosed; the report was relayed by Sport Witness.

The competing interest from several top clubs could spark a fierce transfer race for Kone, with no official announcements yet. In a separate development, Barcelona are reportedly trying to sign Philadelphia Union winger Cavan Sullivan, who already has a pre‑agreement to join Manchester City when he turns 18 in September 2027.

Manchester City’s next Premier League fixture is against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on 7 November.