Release clauses in Spanish football were always meant to be prohibitive. At a level which was way beyond the player’s current value and therefore a barrier to other clubs snatching him away.
That’s still the case with some, Barcelona have been known to put €1bn clauses in some contracts after being stung when PSG triggered Neymar’s.
However, throughout La Liga there’s reasonable clauses which clubs, such as Aston Villa in this case, could take advantage of.
Girona, who have Champions League football secured for next season, would seriously like to keep him. However, his release clause is €30m, and that presents an opportunity for other clubs to snatch him away without even the briefest of negotiations.
Aston Villa, and the others for that matter, are said to have contacted the player’s entourage and made them aware they’re set to make a move to sign him.