It’s summer time, the sun is shining and the football jerseys season has
finished. That can only mean one thing – the transfer system is cranking into
top gear as clubs dig deep into their bank accounts to start splashing out
mind-boggling sums of cash to buy new players and refresh their squads.
But how does it all work and why was it introduced in the first place? Here are all the answers you might want to know.
When does the transfer window open?
Players can not officially put pen to
paper until July 1 but the Premier League allows business to be conducted once
their season finishes and clubs can announce signings throughout June. Free
agents can also sign for new employers once their contracts expire.
When does the transfer window close?
It slams shut on August 31 or the
nearest working day thereafter – this year the 31st falls on a Saturday so the
window closes on Monday September 2, in order to complete the necessary
paperwork and fire off the required faxes to register a new signing.
Why is there a transfer window? Isn’t the concept against the European
Union’s freedom to work where you want?
The European Commission has stated
that, in certain cases, there can be good sporting reasons to justify economic
restrictions. The benefits of team stability and regularity of sporting
competition being at the top of that list and, in short, they have made
football jersey
online an exception to the norm.
In the case of the Bosman ruling for free agents there was no good sporting reasons to limit the movement of players when their contract have expired.
What does a transfer involve?
After initial informal inquiries are made a
written offer will usually be sent from one club to another asking to buy a
player for a specified amount. There will normally be a degree of bartering and
negotiating but once a fee is agreed it is down to the player and his agent to
discuss personal terms with their new employer.
Clubs can also hire an agent to try to find a buyer for a player they wish to get off their books because he no longer fits into their manager’s plans.
The other scenario is for a player to hand in a written transfer request if he wishes to leave for bigger wages and better prospects of winning silverware or for a fresh start elsewhere because he is unhappy for whatever reason.
Why do talks about personal terms often take an age to complete?
It’s not
just about basic pay, there are bonuses to be discussed which may revolve around
a number of issues. They could depend upon the number of appearances a player
makes and this can be broken down further to starts, run outs as a substitute or
merely for being included in the squad and sitting on the bench.
Some players will be paid extra every time they score and then if they reach a certain number of goals, perhaps gaining a bonus for ten, 15, then 20 in a single campaign. Defenders and goalkeepers can thrash out similar terms regarding clean sheets.
Phew! Any other finances to be sorted?
Oh yes! There are signing on
bonuses to be discussed with free agents pocketing more than players who cost a
fee while players who are sold without asking for a transfer can demand loyalty
payments.
The biggest stars can also demand a percentage of the money from image rights if merchandise bearing their picture or name sells exceptionally well.
Then there are clauses to be inserted regarding extra payments if a club finishes in a certain position in the league, qualifies for Europe, wins one of the cup competitions or reaches a specific round in one of the cups.
It seems all one-way traffic in favour of the players…
Not necessarily
because clubs can write clauses into contracts insisting members of staff take a
pay cut if they are relegated.Happy
ending: Santi Cazorla holds up his arsenal
shirt last year (Picture: Getty)