Clauses in Michy Batshuayi’s contract revealed by club Standard Leige

Michy Batshuayi’s club, Standard Liege, released a statement about the promising striker’s future and the clauses in his contract that deny the press releases that have been surrounding him over the last few months.

The article can be found here, although is written in their native language of French: http://www.standard.be/toutes-les-news/lire/~michy-batshuayi-4294.htm?lng=fr#.UtaAcPRdWSr

With basic translation and interpretation, the statement first goes on to look at one particular press article by journalist JM Gheraille from ‘La Meuse’ that has been released about Batshuayi.

The particular article talks about how Michy is being discussed by both Standard, fans that don’t want to lose him, and Anderlecht, fans that have seen rumours linking him to their club on loan after a top European club comes in for him. It also states that the player himself is not particularly looking for a move, but if one of these top European clubs do indeed come in for him, he won’t look back. The article further claims that Batshuayi’s family employed an agent well renowned in the UK to get the move forwarded, and that this was for the reason of interest from top clubs in Europe who are willing to splash the cash in order to gain his signature.

Finally, the article states a series of questions that are meant to be clauses in his contract, and they go as followed:

“Can he go in this winter transfer window ? YES.

The release clause amounted to € 8 million (note: when Duchâtelet 5 will no longer be president … ) cash in the form of a bank guarantee. This clause applies to all mercatos , so also this winter. Only restriction : the Standard did include the requirement that the sale is finalized five days before the end of the transfer window. History to allow the club to return .

Can he be loaned to Anderlecht? YES .

Any restrictive clause can not be added to the contract. The acquiring club does what they want with the player, even loaning the player to Anderlecht.

The Standard can be opposed from the outset? NO .

If a club comes to 8 million on the table and Batshuayi agrees to join , it must be accepted.”

However, in this statement, Standard responded to clear their view of the clauses and the situation of their young Belgian leading scorer. They answered the same questions:

“Can he go in this winter transfer window? FALSE.

If a club has 8 million, the Standard is not required to accept the offer! This is not because Standard is committed to discuss an offer of at least 8 million, rather Standard should accept this offer as soon as there is. 

Can be loaned to Anderlecht? NO.

Indeed, since Standard keeps the upper hand in negotiations , Standard may require that the player is not loaned to a Belgian club. But as the initial question in January does not arise …

The Standard can be opposed at the outset? YES.

Michy is still under contract until June 2018. Until then the Standard may oppose a departure. But Standard will not do :the goal is to find the best time and best club for Michy (and Standard). The player himself has recently announced several times to the media as he wishes to be champion and finish top scorer with Standard Liege this season before considering a departure.”

Standard signed off the article with the statement “In general , the parties seeking the ideal solution for each case and this can be done in a certain serenity. Serenity that obviously does not bring some media publishing articles erroneous and without any overlap or verification information.”

So basically this can be interpreted as Standard seeing this as very simple. They do not have to accept € 8 million as soon as it is offered, but they are inclined to discuss the deal and maybe have to inform Batshuayi when the offer comes in. This could be a similar clause to the one seen in Suarez’s contract last summer, where Arsenal bid £40 million and £1 pound in order to get their man, only to find out that the clause stated that Liverpool only had to inform Suarez of the received bid.

It is believed that Batshuayi’s agent believes otherwise, but this is just some of the complications that will have to be sorted if any sort of deal is to happen this January, which is looking unlikely.

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