Bayer Leverkusen are set to bank almost €1.9 million from Iker Bravo’s move to Watford despite the striker having left the German club in 2024. The 21-year-old Spaniard has signed a contract with the Championship side until the summer of 2029 as he prepares to swap Serie A football for the EFL Championship.
Bravo is transferring from Udinese Calcio to the Hornets for a fee just under €4 million. While Udinese will initially receive the full payment, Leverkusen are entitled to nearly half of that sum due to a 50 per cent sell-on clause they secured when selling the forward last year.
The clause has proven lucrative for the Bundesliga club. When Bravo moved from Leverkusen to Udinese following three years at BayArena between 2021 and 2024, the German side received only €600,000 in upfront transfer fees. However, they negotiated the sell-on provision that now guarantees them approximately €1.9 million from his switch to English football.
For Watford, the acquisition represents a significant long-term investment in a young forward who has already experienced top-flight football in Germany and Italy. The Hornets will hope Bravo can provide the attacking impetus required to challenge for promotion to the Premier League.
The financial mechanics of the deal illustrate how clubs increasingly rely on sell-on clauses to maximise returns from academy products and young signings. Leverkusen’s foresight in inserting the clause ensures they continue to benefit from Bravo’s career progression, even after his departure from the club.