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Club Brugge unwilling to match Mitrovic’s buyout clause

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Updated: June 4, 2018

Club Brugge were either unwilling are unable to exercise their buyout clause to Matej Mitrovic for the full amount of €4,5m, so the Croatian International will therefore return to the Black Eagles this Summer.

Mitrovic quickly earned himself a place in the starting eleven of Club Brugge when he joined them on a 6-month loan deal back in January, the 24-year old Croatian needed little time to convince his countryman – and coach – Ivan Leko of his qualities, Brugge fans in turn quickly took to the talented centre-back.

But despite impressing, Club Brugge were unwilling to pay the full sum of €4,5m and instead opted to offer a slightly lower fee of €3,75m. A lowball offer? It may have come across that way to Beşiktaş, who paid  €4,2m for the Croatian only 18-months prior. But in truth, Club Brugge have only ever three times paid more than €3,75m for a single player. Koen Daerden and Hans Vanaken share the status of Club Brugge’s record incoming transfer with a €4m pricetag, while Brugge also paid €3,8m for Colombian International José Izquierdo. The fact that they were willing to pay close to their record fee for Matej Mitrovic does show how much they value his qualities.

With the €400k Beşiktaş had already received in terms of a loan fee, a €3,75m transfer fee would have just come shy of a breakeven when it came to Mitrovic’ transfer fee. With the Croatian being taken to the 2018 World Cup in Russia and keeping in mind his age and the departure of Dusko Tosic, Beşiktaş clearly felt that anything but the agreed upon €4,5m would suffice.

Now the question is, do Beşiktaş plan to still look for a different buyer in the Summer? Or does Mitrovic take up Dusko Tosic’s spot in the team and become Beşiktaş’ third centre-back headed in to the 2018-2019 season?

Kaan Bayazit
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Kaan Bayazit

Editor-in-chief at Beşiktaş International
Freelance sports writer specialized in Turkish football and Beşiktaş. Co-host of the Black Eagles podcast. Frequently featured in World Soccer Digest Japan and many other international media outlets. Following Turkish football for close to two decades. Proud father to Aedin.
Kaan Bayazit
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