Barcelona youngster will join La Liga rivals in €2.5 million deal, buyback clause included

As Barcelona look to raise revenue from player sales, they are set to part ways with one of the most promising young talents from the club, with Chadi Riad set to join Real Betis imminently.

Indeed, Fabrizio Romano is reporting that the 20-year-old will sign for Real Betis in a permanent transfer worth €2.5 million.

However, the Blaugrana will retain some degree of control on his future as there is a buyback clause included in the deal, while they also retain a 50% future sell-on clause.

Riad, a product of the club’s youth academy, had been a regular for Rafa Marquez’s Barça Atletic side last season and even made his first-team debut under Xavi Hernandez.

The Moroccan youngster is held in high regard within the club. But the signing of Inigo Martinez added to the already tough competition for places in the centre-back department.

As such, Xavi decided not to include Riad in the squad for the pre-season tour of the USA and instead wanted him to leave on loan to gain more experience.

While there were talks of a temporary departure, a permanent sale was not off the table. And, as it would turn out, Barcelona have now sanctioned a permanent exit for Riad, who will soon be signing for Real Betis.

As iterated earlier, though, the La Liga champions will have a repurchase option for the future which they will look to exercise if his development continues as expected. If not, they would still benefit from any future sale, having inserted a 50% sell-on clause.

Riad has already travelled to Seville last night to complete the move and an official announcement could be imminent.