12 Jul 2020 15:30:12
Ed please excuse my ignorance but exactly how to transfer deals work? The Wolfsberger president has come out publicly and said we have made a bid for Weismann, but if this was the case wouldn't it either be rejected or accepted. I appreciate that we may not have even made a bid and their president is trying to drum up interest.

{Ed002's Note - The scouting staff will prepare reports on players and provide an idea about price; coaches will look at the players but have no idea about price; they will go to a Director of Football (or perhaps a mix of the finance director and others responsible for the monies) and say we would like this player and we think he will cost £x. Checking against available budgets, the club will likely approach his agent to ask if the player might be interested in the move and a broad idea about the package the player would want, and any broad idea about what the club would want - and what terms they may be open to (cash up front, spread over a year etc.). This sits inside the overall transfer process which looks something like this:

The same way as any other club do. The process should be along the lines of: Clubs will typically informally ask an agent (a) if the player is going to be available, and (b) would the player consider a move to the club. There may be some broad discussion on the sort of deal that would be offered but no more than that. If the answer is yes, it is then necessary for the club to approach the player's club to ask if they would be willing to sell and if they would grant permission to speak to a player's agent formally to negotiate about a transfer and even to the player about actually making a move. This will typically involve the showing of serious interest (perhaps through an offer) or actually agreeing a fee and responsibility for any significant costs (agents fees etc.). Once this has happened the club will be able to speak formally to the player's agent and perhaps the player himself to look at the package that will be involved. Many players are looked at and discussed at a high-level with agents and clubs; a subset of those have an offer placed; a subset of those involve discussions with the player's club; a subset of those involve discussions over terms, and; a subset of those go ahead.

Agents will often try and get more specific details of wages and other financials before they should - but most clubs are happy to follow this process. Players will often talk to other players about moves but, whilst wrong, is tolerated as it would be impossible to manage.

Alternatively, a selling club may ask an agent to find a new club for a player and he will talk directly to potential selling sides about the fee, personal terms and interest.

The rest of the time agents will be on fishing trips trying to find interest in their players.

In terms of what happens when the negotiations take place, broad agreement (player available and open to discussions, understanding of the price) will already have been reached. The clubs will meet to discuss the details of the transfer fee, other costs associated with the move and the structure of the payments and any additional fees (e.g another €5M for winning the Champions League etc.) but this does not take a "few days".}

1.) 13 Jul 2020
13 Jul 2020 11:27:23
Thanks for the insight. It’s a complicated game, and shows why leaving it close to deadline is asking for trouble.

{Ed002's Note - It gets more difficult Davie.}

2.) 13 Jul 2020
13 Jul 2020 13:11:09
actually all is needed is honesty from clubs when i was young only corrupt sport was boxing ans maybe cycling and horse racing now all sport is corrupt.

3.) 13 Jul 2020
13 Jul 2020 14:56:40
Intresting read that Ed. Must be a nightmare to get deals done.

4.) 13 Jul 2020
13 Jul 2020 18:21:38
Ed, is there a possibility we may even have players signed and just waiting for the window to open to announce them?

{Ed007's Note - It's possible but I doubt they would do that.}