Long going unnoticed in the media, solidarity payments received by from huge transfers for helping develop a young star are now the feel good stories of the window.
For example, Aymeric Laporte’s move from Athletic Bilbao to Manchester City helped one of his former clubs escape from bankruptcy, yet they remain a squabbling matter during negotiations, as shown during the transfer of Fabio from Middlesbrough to Nantes.
The Brazilian defender swapped Riverside for the French Atlantic coast in mid-July, moving closer to his brother, who plays for Lyon, in the process.
However, L’Equipe on Tuesday claim the talks between the two clubs slowed down at one point over who would pay the solidarity payment, and the then Middlesbrough full-back was having none of it.
According to the French newspaper, Fabio decided to take matter into his own hands and stumped up the amount himself, believed to be around €50k, to get his transfer over the line.
Nantes’ president, Waldemar Kita, is said to have been very surprised and touched by the gesture, and it will have undoubtedly earned the now former Boro man brownie points at his new club.
