Costly clause holding up Aussie star’s blockbuster $32m move
A sell-on clause in Nestory Irankunda’s contract is having a significant impact on his plans to depart Watford, as the battle to get his big money deal over the line continues.
The Socceroos winger has effectively been sold to Portuguese giants Sporting CP this transfer window, but Watford is not permitted to complete the sale without first coming to terms with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
Nestory Irankunda celebrates his goal. AP
Several offers have been rejected by Watford since Irankunda’s display at the FIFA World Cup, where he helped Australia to the round of 32.
A transfer fee now appears to have been signed off but a 40 per cent sell-on clause that Watford agreed to when it acquired Irankunda, 20, from Bayern Munich last year is casting a shadow over his future.
Watford will only get 60 per cent of the transfer fee paid for Irankunda, regardless of where he ends up.
As per recent reports, a fee of $24.5 million (AUD) plus add-ons of around $8m has been accepted by Watford but the way Bayern Munich receives its slice of the deal is holding things up.
Still, it is expected that the the deal will be finalised, with Watford to receive a base of $14.7m from Sporting while Bayern Munich would claim the additional $9.8m.
That sum could rise to a total of $17.7m for Watford if the add-ons are finalised.
Watford will be thankful, however, that the club was able to negotiate a 10 per cent decrease in the sell-on clause earlier this year with Bayern Munich.
If that were still the case, it is likely that Watford would be seeking a higher price to allow the Australian rising star to leave.
Regardless, the deal when finalised, will put Irankunda on track to become Australia’s most expensive player, albeit briefly as Lucas Herrington’s deal with Premier League club Hull is all but signed, sealed and delivered and involves a reported $33m transfer fee.
Sporting CP is notably the club that kick-started the remarkable career of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who at age 41 is still playing top-flight football.
The Portuguese side is also set to play Champions League football this season, which is widely regarded as the pinnacle tournament for club football.
Sporting will take on Estrela da Amadora in their first game of the Liga Portugal season on August 9 (AEST).
