urban.spaceman Posted 24 May 2018 Posted 24 May 2018 The 10 stages of a Leicester City transfer deal By James SharpeLeicester City correspondent|May. 24th, 2018 Send to Kindle It's the most exciting, frustrating and dramatic periods of the year: the summer transfer window. Leicester City have already made their first signing of the summer with Ricardo Pereira joining in a £22million deal from Porto, and more could soon follow with the club looking to wrap up permanent moves for Jonny Evans and Aleksandar Dragovic. Meanwhile, the club are expected to lose Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City, are braced for bids for the likes of Harry Maguire and Wilfred Ndidi, while Atletico Madrid are interested in Jamie Vardy. But how does a transfer deal actually work? New Leicester City signing Ricardo Pereira outside the club's Belvoir Drive training ground(Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images) We've all been in charge of Leicester on Football Manager, we've all done our homework and decided that this player is the one. We've scouted him, checked out his stats, worked out our budget and slapped in a bid. We've heard his club's demands, heard the player's demands, matched both and finalised the deal. Easy. Real life, though, tends to be a little more complex, especially when your side is in the Premier League, and looking to sign world-class players. How are football transfers actually conducted, then? Here we bring you the 10 stages of a modern transfer deal. 1. The scouting Leicester City bagged Riyad Mahrez for just £400,000 after scouts watched him play for Le Havre (Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images) Possibly the most mysterious element, but absolutely crucial. After all, if you want to make sure a transfer is a success, it helps to start by having the right player involved. Football scouting is an evolving industry. The days of the old-school scout, making instinctive judgements from the stands, are not quite over, but they are fading, particularly at the top level. Many clubs now use computer programs, with Leicester using Wyscout to scour video footage and statistical analyses of players. It enables manager Claude Puel, head of recruitment Eduardo Macia, his team of analysts, and director of football Jon Rudkin to run the rule over a player from the comfort of his office. But there is still much more than just computers. There is still the need for scouts in the field, watching with their own eyes, trusting their own gut. City have a vast scouting network in England and abroad, with a strong relations in France – how else do you snap up Mahrez from the second tier for just £400,000? There is also the personal element. Scouts in the field now spend almost as much time gathering intelligence; speaking to agents, forging relationships with a player's family and friends, and doing their best to stay a step ahead of their rivals. Few industries are more competitive, or, in football terms at least, more important. Riyad Mahrez transfer saga in full as move to Manchester City nears 2. The bid Leicester City signed right-back Ricardo Pereira from Porto for a deal worth around £22m(Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images) So once a player has been identified, the next step is the transfer (or loan) offer. Pretty straightforward, you would think, but there is more than one way to start a transfer. The most obvious is for a buying club to submit a formal written offer for a player, seemingly by fax even in this day and age, which will then be considered by the selling club. No Newcastle United switch for Leicester City's Islam Slimani But it is just as common for clubs to contact trusted agents to act on their behalf, either in finding an available player from another club, or finding a buyer for their own unwanted player. These agents act as intermediaries between the buyers and the sellers, and can set the wheels in motion for a deal that otherwise may not have been struck. 3. Tapping up? Riyad Mahrez has said he wants to leave Leicester City (Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images) Premier League rules state that "a player under contract shall not directly or indirectly make any approach to another club without having obtained the prior written consent of the existing club to who he is contracted." Basically, that all transfer deals should be started from scratch. Reality, of course, is different. Rarely will a bid be submitted for a player, without the buying club having contacted the player's representatives to see if he would be interested in a move, and if so what kind of wages he would be after. Frowned upon? Certainly, but it is pretty much common practice across the game, although Liverpool did get into a spot bother over their pursuit of Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk . The bulk of a deal is often set up before a fee has been agreed between the buying and selling clubs. For example, the conversations between Leicester and Man City have been ongoing since their bid in January was rejected. 4. The negotiations Director of football Jon Rudkin, left, is the man in charge of negotiating Leicester City's transfer deals (Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images) Transfer stories provide stock cliches. "Preliminary talks," "advanced discussions", "talks ongoing", "personal terms", "showdown talks" - the list goes on. Such phrases evoke images of a group of people – players, agents, chairmen, managers – sat around a table sliding pieces of paper with figures on them to each other, to be greeted by a shake of the head and an 'add a nought on to that and come back, matey.' Again, the reality is very different. 'Negotiation' meetings are often brief, with an agent laying out a player's demands, and an official (usually the chief executive, the head of recruitment or the director of football) giving the club's side of things. Many discussions nowadays take place via Whatsapp. Issues which arise during negotiations often relate to, of course, salary, bonuses an signing-on fees, as well as personal and social considerations. Players often leave the negotiations to their agents, and are kept abreast of the situation from afar. They usually meet with a manager before a deal goes through to discuss how he would fit in at his potential new club - and if they don't, then they're taking a huge risk - but in terms of sitting round a negotiating table discussing figures? That is rarely the case. 5. The player's dilemma Harry Maguire has gone on to become an England international after choosing Leicester City last summer (Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images) This is the age of 'player power' in football, and there is little doubt that in transfer deals, it is they who hold the key. Fair enough, some would say. After all, it is their lives who will change. Considerations for a player prior to a transfer include how much playing time they would get if they moved clubs, whether they would need to re-locate (or learn a new language), whether they would be happy to work for the buying club's manager and, particularly as you go down the leagues, the length of contract. Players, like anyone, want security. And, of course, there is also the financial aspect. Wages play a big part in any job decision, and in football the sums are vast, and still on the up. Leicester City want Jonny Evans and Aleksandar Dragovic transfers 6. The agents Kelechi Iheanacho arriving at Belvoir Drive with his agents to complete his move to Leicester City (Image: Plumb Images/Getty Images/Leicester City) Boo. Often held up as the enemy of football, agents in truth suffer from a familiar problem; the conduct of a few bad apples ruining the whole batch. In reality, agents are an important part of the game, particularly at this time of year, and good ones are valued, by both players and clubs. As we said, agents can be used by clubs to identify players, or to find clubs for players they are looking to sell. Their network of connections is often a valuable tool for managers, from the highest level down. Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City deal delayed by agent fees They also, theoretically at least, should ensure players are able to focus on their football, without having to concern themselves with contract negotiations and discussions. A good agent should be as much a mentor and a confidante as a negotiator. They earn a pretty penny, mind. So much so, that both the Mahrez and Jonny Evans deals are being held up by disagreements over how much the agents should be paid. In the case of Evans, his agent is reported to want more than what Leicester are actually paying West Brom for the player. 7. The media Leicester City unveil new signing Eldin Jakupovic (Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images) The relationship between the media and the transfer window is very much love-hate. They love it because the stories keep them knee-deep in copy, but hate it because sifting through the garbage is an arduous and often disheartening process. Regularly, reporters will receive tip-offs about potential transfers, often via agents but sometimes from other sources. The infamous 'taxi driver from the airport' is usually prevalent at this time of year, while any number of elite international players can be spotted heading towards Belvoir Drive, at Leicester train station or buying a coffee at the Highcross. Martin 'Mad Dog' Allen's unique approach to transfer announcements 8. The medical and the work permit Kelechi Iheanacho under goes his medical with club doctor Ian Patchett at King Power Stadium(Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images) The final hurdles in a deal are the medical and, for some players, the work permit. Medicals at top-level clubs are stringent, carried out at the training ground or a private hospital. But as time ticks away on deadline day clubs, naturally, have been known to take gambles. Islam Slimani picked up a thigh injury in training just before he joined Newcastle on loan in January. If both club and player want a deal to go through, then it will. Then there's the work permit, international clearance and registration. Don't Leicester know only too well about that! Adrien Silva missed months of action after his registration was blocked due to the now-infamous 14-second delay last summer. Work-permits, meanwhile, are needed for any player over the age of 16 who does not own an EU passport. Well, until Brexit ticks around anyway. The buying club, basically, agrees to sponsor the player to be in the UK. A certificate of sponsorship is then produced by the club, which is submitted to the FA. The FA will grant the work permit if the player has played 75% of competitive games for a FIFA-ranked top 70 nation over the past two years. Failure to meet this requirement will see an application rejected, unless it can be proven a player was unavailable for selection due to injury. Leicester had this issue when they signed Croatia striker Andrej Kramaric in 2015. A club may appeal if their first application is rejected, which City did, with a panel convened to establish whether, in its view, the player's transfer would be of benefit to the game in the relevant country. It was decided that Kramaric would do that. Keep or sell? Have your say on Leicester City's squad for next season 9. The drama Islam Slimani joined Leicester City on deadline day last summer. Will there be more late deals this time around? (Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images) It is a question that always gets asked when deadline day rolls around. Having had months to get deals done, why do we find so many clubs scratching around with an hour before deadline? Why do we have footballers rocking up at the last minute and waiting for the green light to go through? Is it purely to keep Jim White and his yellow tie in a job at Sky Sports? But the biggest factor about deadline day is how much of a domino effect is in operation. Clubs try to plan as best they can, but one transfer leads to others – Danny Drinkwater's move to Chelsea depended on whether Leicester could get a replacement in, hence one of the reasons for the delay over Silva. Additionally, a sudden run of poor form (or injuries) can lead to panic, particularly if a club is battling relegation, or chasing promotion. The risk of not adding to your squad when there are four months left in the season, is deemed too big to ignore. Hence the "panic-buy" signings on the final day. A club that is suddenly stripped of its star man late in the window has to act fast, which is why City were so determined to turn down Man City's late move for Mahrez in January. This time around, both parties have plenty of time to get the deal done. When does the transfer window open and close? 10. Done deal! Leicester City unveil new signing Ricardo Pereira (Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images) And there you have it. The fee is agreed, the personal terms are agreed, the medical is done. All that remains is to lodge the signed and sealed, finalised paperwork with the Premier League and the FA. And make sure it's on time! ….Oh, and get the obligatory photo of the new player smiling with his new manager, or holding his new club's shirt; sometimes while wearing another club shirt. Or not smiling, as was famously the case with Robert Huth. Simple. 2
urban.spaceman Posted 24 May 2018 Author Posted 24 May 2018 Some light reading between FoxesTalk, Twitter and Newsnow refreshes.
car1os Posted 24 May 2018 Posted 24 May 2018 I thought it was something like: 1 - Go on Football Manager 2 - Youtube 3 - Ask Vards if he’s a good laugh in the pub and doesn’t get into fights after a few pints 4 - Tap... I mean, contact the player to see if he’s interested (in more money) 5 - Write a contract on the back of a pizza box 6 - Pay the agent more money than the proposed transfer fee 7 - Leak the story to the media to drum up more interest (and for more money) 8 - 12 medicals 9 - Make sure it all happens on Transfer Deadline day for more excitement 10 - Miss the deadline by 14 seconds 2 1
Carl the Llama Posted 24 May 2018 Posted 24 May 2018 You forgot the take the player to morrisons step. 2 1
Beechey Posted 24 May 2018 Posted 24 May 2018 9 minutes ago, Carl the Llama said: You forgot the take the player to morrisons step. Exactly, if we don't see them in Morrisons, how will we know they're about to be announced?!
Ian Nacho Posted 24 May 2018 Posted 24 May 2018 The Mercury has been posting some utter sh*te today. You can tell it's the close season.
MPH Posted 24 May 2018 Posted 24 May 2018 That was quite a boring article really... nothing juicy in it! Nothing we didn’t really already know!
Nigel Graham Pearson Posted 24 May 2018 Posted 24 May 2018 11. Rob Tanner announces we have been scouting the player and are considering an approach to the player’s club.
bpfox Posted 25 May 2018 Posted 25 May 2018 and here i was thinking u just turn up with a pocket full of change, say hey u i want u to play for me , hand over the coin and away we go.
mozartfox Posted 25 May 2018 Posted 25 May 2018 6 hours ago, Ian Nacho said: The Mercury has been posting some utter sh*te today. You can tell it's the close season. Just today??? 1
HighPeakFox Posted 25 May 2018 Posted 25 May 2018 10 stages? I thought it was only 5 - denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. 1
Popular Post chapero82 Posted 25 May 2018 Popular Post Posted 25 May 2018 Do you know what makes it more funny? They did the same article last year https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/revealed-10-stages-transfer-deal-396817 8
ZeGuy Posted 25 May 2018 Posted 25 May 2018 "Many discussions nowadays take place via Whatsapp" Just imagined how Mahrez's negociations in january would have looked like. ManCity: yo, mahrez free? LCFC: mate, a bit late to ask. ManCity: free or not? LCFC: no. ManCity: How much? LCFC: 90M ManCity: lolwut? LCFC: 90M ManCity: 50m+roberts, deal? LCFC: lol, no. ManCity: but u bought him for 2 snickers. LCFC: 90M or fck off. ManCity: okay then. 1 1
WigstonWanderer Posted 26 May 2018 Posted 26 May 2018 17 hours ago, HighPeakFox said: 10 stages? I thought it was only 5 - denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. You missed out the last one: Remorse 1
Aus Fox Posted 26 May 2018 Posted 26 May 2018 You missed a step: If you doesn't get 100 pages on FT, it's not happening! Fact
Collymore Posted 26 May 2018 Posted 26 May 2018 Step 1 - 30 days before transfer Local technology firm "Transfer Solutions Ltd" arrive at Belvoir Drive. They discuss the clubs network and IT infrastructure and make recommendations to put a computer and scanner in the same place where transfer negotiations take place. Step 2 - 29 days before transfer Jon Rudkin decides against proposed solutions after a break down in negotiations. Step 3 - 1 hr before transfer Chelsea and Leicester confirm Danny Drinkwater transfer Step 4 - 3 mins before transfer Jon Rudkin desperately searches for his address book Step 5 - 2 mins 45 secs before transfer Silva deal agreed in principle by both Leicester and Sporting Step 6- 2 mins 00 secs before transfer Jon Sanders asked to get changed into training gear to make late dash to scanner and computer located on other side of city Step 7- 1 mins 55 secs before transfer Nigel Pearson gets involved, yes unbelievably sometimes ex managers are still involved in their old club's negotiations. Step 8- 1 mins before transfer Jon Sanders desperately tries to reach the email point and scanner. Step 9- 15 secs before transfer Jon Sanders is having trouble accessing the computer Step 10- Transfer submitted Deal done 2
Recommended Posts