06 Jul 2018 14:35:43
Hi Eds,
Apologies if this has already been covered, but I would love to know more in-depth about the actual process of how transfer targets are drawn up and acquired. I suspect this is a lot more complicated that most of us realise. Presumably, the manager will identify areas of weakness in their team and would ask for funds to be released for those positions. Do they approach the board or in Utd's case Ed Woodward first? Does the manager go with a list of potential recruits in hand or is that up to Mr Woodwrd and the scouts, or negotiated between the manager and Mr Woodward? Are the board even consulted for relatively 'minor' purchases et cetera. When does someone sit down and calculate the impact of a signing on current wages and FFP?
Lots of questions there, but with Ronaldo seemingly available lots of Utd fans understandably are clamouring for Utd to 'sign him up' (though he seems destined for Juventus) . It got me thinking about how realistic making quick purchases are, given all of the above and many more caveats to transfers that I've probably not thought about.
Thanks in advance.

{Ed002's Note - Scouts, managers, coaches, technical directors are all typically involved in deciding what positions need to be addressed and they will typically identify a preferred choice and several pther. The money is nothing to do with the manager. Discussions take place year around with agents and other clubs about players. FFP is an issue the clubs need to deal with, it is not a case of someone sitting down with a pencil and calculating anything. The club know how much they are able to spend on wages before FFP becomes an issue - as it did for two English sides in January - including Manchester United.

I don't know what you mean by "quick purchases, but 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 about a transfer and possibly even the player about actually making a move. This will typically involve either broadly (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 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 poetntial 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.) 06 Jul 2018
06 Jul 2018 18:39:02
Great read that ed.
I’ve a couple of questions for you, if you’ve the time to answer that’d be great!
Firstly, how exactly are wages goverened by FFP? What are the regulations surroundings player wages?
Secondly, is it a regular Occurrence for clubs to drop asking prices etc for other clubs to sign their players due to wages etc?

Caolán.

{Ed002's Note - (1) Clubs can raise wages by a maximum of £7m per season at the moment - previously it was £4M per season and it will change again in 2019/20. The can exceed this under certain conditions, (a) if the club can show an increase in the combined additional commercial revenue, match day income and transfer revenue; and (b) if they do not post an overall loss. (2) I am not sure I understand the question. But if you mean what I think you mean, clubs wanting to move a player on who is paid a large amount may need to be creative with any sale. What they cannot be expected to do is put a contracted player in a worse position. Some players will happily take a reduced package to get their career moving or whatever, but some players may need to have their future wages supplemented by the selling club (Wayne Rooney is a good example).}

2.) 06 Jul 2018
06 Jul 2018 18:59:27
Thanks, Ed002, for taking the time to write such a detailed response!

{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}

3.) 06 Jul 2018
06 Jul 2018 20:59:17
Cheers ed, sorry that was a poorly worded question, but you have answered it! Thank you very much.

{Ed002's Note - Good stuff.}

4.) 07 Jul 2018
07 Jul 2018 00:27:11
Much appreciated Ed002.