He can though. Under EU law you have freedom of movement and labour throughout the EU. In reality If he wants to go nobody can stop him. Villa are better off playing nice and giving him a clear idea of the price Villa feel he's worth. If we get that he'll be sold, if not he can stay for one more season and the price tag will be less next summer as he'll only have two years left on his deal.
If we get anything above £20m for him it will be good business but we'll never know the fee as it'll be undisclosed.
The price tag won't be less next season because he will have one year less left on his deal.
If he improves and has a decent world cup then his price will rise. It has nothing to do with his contract length, he's not in his 30's for christ sake!
If and if and if. What if he doesn't have a good season next year? What if he breaks his leg? It's not like we're doubling our money we're tripling it and more. But the fact is he doesn't want to be here. So why cut our nose off? For a moral victory? How is that good business?