Not really sure why our move for him went south, but wasn't it a release clause and Raiola? Won't the same thing happen again?
I don't think a release clause will be key to his next contract. He's now proven that he is ready for the biggest stages and leagues and he's ready for the big step: a big non-selling club.
When signing a 4,5 year contract as a 19 year old when the road a head is full of uncertainties and different scenarios, you can understand why an ambitious 19 year old wants and needs that release clause in his contract:
A - He outgrows the club and is ready for the next step
B - He doesn't get the minutes and development he needs
C - The club doesn't get the results needed to compete in Europe or fight for trophies
There were three more factors that played against us in Dec-18 as well:
A - We could not offer CL football at the time + We were 8th in the league with 25 points (13 points behind 3rd) after 18 rounds when our negotiations broke down. Had just lost 0-2 to Watford.
B - We could not guarantee him to be our 1st-choice #9
C - He felt Ole wanted him more than the club wanted him.
We could satisfy all those point now. (CL-football at least looks pretty likely)