PSV midfielder Zakaria Labyad is confident that he can leave the Eredivisie giants on a free transfer at the end of the season.
The 18-year-old’s current contract is due to expire in June 2012, but PSV claim to have a one-sided option to extend Labyad’s stay with two more seasons. However, Labyad is of the opinion that the option in his contract isn’t valid as it is against Fifa regulations.
The attacking midfielder signed his current contract at the age of 16 and Fifa rules state that clubs cannot tie down players younger than 18 longer than three years. However, Labyad’s deal would effectively be a four-and-a-half year contract if PSV exercise their option.
“Lawyers have looked into it and I don’t have any doubts. The Fifa regulations are crystal clear. I am a free agent at the end of the season,” Labyad was quoted as saying by Algemeen Dagblad.
“I have no intention of signing a new deal with PSV right now. I want to keep all options open. I am a free agent this summer and there are more interesting clubs than just PSV.”
Portuguese giants Sporting CP asked PSV permission to open talks with Labyad earlier this week, but the Eindhoven side have told the Lisbon side to leave the midfielder alone.
However, there appears to be little the Eredivisie powerhouse can do against Sporting CP as teams are allowed to approach a player six months before his contract expires without his club’s permission.