Garcia's Barcelona release clause set at four times more than Aguero's

The release clause in Sergio Aguero's Barcelona contract is staggering - but the figure included in Eric Garcia's freshly-signed deal is a different beast entirely.

Barca have made a promising start to their summer business by snapping up departing Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, 32, on a two-year deal and defender Eric Garcia, 20, on five-year terms.

Further free transfers are expected to follow, with Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and Lyon forward Memphis Depay edging closer to moving to Camp Nou.

Even though Barcelona are paying nothing to other clubs as they pursue these signings, they are ensuring they will not be forced to part ways with their new acquisitions on the cheap.

Any club wishing to directly enter negotiations with Aguero and his representatives will need to table a bid of €100million (£86m).

But, incredibly, it will take an eye-watering offer of £344million to force Barcelona to part ways with Garcia, should a club agree terms with the Spain centre-back.

That sum far outweighs the world-record £198million Paris Saint-Germain paid Barcelona to sign Neymar in 2017.

Barcelona clearly have high hopes for Garcia, who spent almost a decade at their academy before signing for City in 2017 and making 35 appearances for Pep Guardiola's side.

But the club are no stranger to setting astronomical release clauses, as Spanish law stipulates every player is obliged to have such an article in their contract.

And ever since PSG were able to sign Neymar for €222million four years ago, Camp Nou chiefs have taken no chances with their players, drastically increasing the size of their buyout clauses.

Forward Antoine Griezmann is the best example of this; there is an astonishing €800million (£688m) buyout clause in the contract he signed when joined from Atletico Madrid in 2019.

Club legend and global superstar Lionel Messi is next on Barcelona's list with a €700million (£602m) release clause, although that - like the rest of his contract - will expire at the end of June.