Leaked documents show Irish-based company paid a tiny fee for rights to Spain midfield star

The issue of third-party ownership has been hotly-debated in footballing circles for some time now.

The process has been banned in the Premier League since the 2008/09 season, a decision which came on the back of the almighty mess – and subsequent legal challenge from Sheffield United – that arose out of West Ham’s double signing of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.

But it is still possible on the continent for teams to take on players without holding all of their rights.

Clubs such as FC Porto and Atletico Madrid have managed to stay competitive despite smaller budgets than their European rivals largely thanks to the help of third-party investors.

But even though both clubs have made tidy profits from the likes of Jackson Martinez and Radamel Falcao, the sale of the rights of some of their top youngsters doesn’t always work out.

Atleti midfielder Koke has been labelled the “new Xavi” by many and looks to be a regular in the Spanish national team for years to come.

It seems unlikely that the 24-year-old will stay at the Vicente Calderón Stadium for the rest of his career, with both Barcelona and Real Madrid likely suitors.

And while any move for Koke would come at hefty price, Atletico would miss out on almost a third of the fee as they apparently sold 30% of the Spaniard’s rights to an Irish-based investment fund for the lowly sum of €3m (£2.4m) just three years ago, according to Football Leaks.

And while Ireland have taken advantage of the so-called ‘Granny Rule’ in the past, we doubt the argument that Koke is legally 30% Irish would allow him to switch allegiances for Euro 2016.

Although surely the tax ‘advantages’ that these companies can avail of by basing themselves here should be enough for us to make some sort of claim for them to turn out for Martin O’Neill.

Money talks, after all.

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