Despite his proven goalscoring ability - 19 goals for the Yellow Submarine's reserve team last season - Villarreal, with whom he had already played in the first three LaLiga games, scoring one goal, let him slip this summer. They gambled on the million-dollar signing of Mikautadze and sold Eyong to the surprise of many.
Now it has emerged that Levante paid just 3.8 million euros for the African striker on 1 September.
This is stated in the economic viability plan that the club has presented to its shareholders. A derisory fee for a player who is already a starter with his national team and who has scored four goals in five LaLiga games as a Levante player, as well as providing one assist.
The value of Etta Eyong has soared to 20 million euros, as stated on the specialised website Transfermarkt. And he already attracted the attention of European giants Barcelona and Manchester City.
A complex contract between Levante and Villarreal
But as we said before, there is a catch to the bargain that Levante acquired a month and a half ago. If an offer of more than 15 million euros arrives, Levante will be obliged to sell and give 20% of the capital gain of that transfer to Villarreal. If the offer is rejected, the Valencians would have to compensate Villarreal with the same capital gain.
Villarreal also have a right of first refusal to match any offer that arrives next summer and to buy the player back.
The termination clause is set at 30 million euros. A bargain also for the performance that Etta Eyong is giving.