Buy-back clauses are all the rage these days. Even Manchester United, a club so often left behind by the trends of the modern game, got involved eventually.
Hannibal Mejbri, should he join Sevilla on a permanent basis following his loan spell at the La Liga outfit – a prospect which admittedly looks very unlikely right now – could return to Manchester United for £28 million later down the line.
The Red Devils sent Alvaro Fernandez to Benfica on a similar deal. Zidane Iqbal, meanwhile, has a buy-back clause in his own deal at FC Utrecht, just in case a midfielder sold on a pittance goes on to develop beyond all expectations in the Eredivisie.
Matej Kovar, meanwhile, might yet have a future at Old Trafford himself.
Manchester United can re-sign Matej Kovar
Man United ensured that they will have first dibs on the highly-rated goalkeeper should he blossom into one of Europe’s best under Xabi Alonso at runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
Not that there is any question of that buy-back option being taken any time soon, however. Kovar, who joined Leverkusen for around £8 million back in August, insists that he has not heard anything from Man United since moving to Germany.
He is, however, stopping short of ruling out the prospect of picking up where he left off in England’s north west.
“No, I have not (had any contact with United),” Kovar, who hopes to be part of the Czech Republic’s plans for Euro 2024, tells Sport. “It is important for me to start playing regularly and establish a position in Leverkusen.
“Then, we will see what happens in the future.”
‘We’ll see’
Kovar spent five years at Man United. He was named the Czech league’s Goalkeeper of the Season on loan at Sparta Prague last term and there was a degree of hand-wringing when United accepted Leverkusen’s offer, given that Kovar had impressed – particularly with his distribution – under Erik ten Hag in pre-season.
“Of course, (Man United) is still my heart. I spent many years at the club,” Kovar adds. “United are going through a difficult season. The results are like a merry-go-round.
“But it’s a big and great club, I hope it gets back to the top.”
Who knows, one day, perhaps Kovar will be there to help United on that journey. For now, however, ousting Lukas Hradecky at Bundesliga champions-in-waiting Bayer Leverkusen – before securing a role at this summer’s European Championships – is his top priority.