A Summer of Madness

Here we are; we’ve reached July and the summer football transfer window is about to explode with rumours, denials, fan pain, angst and elation as clubs look towards the beginning of August and the 2025/26 season, whilst they construct squads they believe can deliver their aspirations over the coming 10 months.

All of our clubs will be working incredibly hard behind the scenes to attract their targets – most of these discussions will remain below the radar as sporting directors and agents make eyes at one another, and talk up their clubs and clients in a whirlpool of activity which will continue until the end of August.

As someone who has personal experience of representing and leading negotiations for two  midlands clubs during transfer windows, I can testify to the absolute mayhem this period brings – the 20 hour days, belief you have ‘got your man’, promises, handshakes on agreements, only to see the player fall into the arms of another club for the most ridiculous of reasons, and the absolute relief when you manage to get one over the line!

Agents will begin demanding significantly more money than their players are worth and insisting obscure contract clauses are inserted (such as supermarket bills being paid by the club!) as clubs and players engage in a dance that will dictate where league titles, promotions and cup competitions are heading.

Although players enjoy (eventually) summer ‘down-time’ when the previous seasons aches, pains and minor injuries are soothed and rested, their agents and those at clubs with responsibility for crafting winning playing squads will be working incredibly hard to secure the best deal they can for their party.

The truth is that transfers are incredibly complicated processes with numerous factors deciding the decision on both sides - how much is the fee, how much does the player want, how much are the club prepared to pay, will the manager guarantee the player will start the season in the first 11, how long will the contract on offer be, what additional clauses is the player looking for, is there going to be a release clause, how much will that be, is the selling club looking for a sell-on percentage, is the player a good ‘character’, who else are the club signing, what is the player’s fitness record, what has the player’s medical thrown up!

So let the dance begin – you will see never ending media speculation regarding dozens of players, but the truth is that your clubs interest in a player, and his desire to sign, is only a small part of the overall process – enjoy the ride!

Image Credits: vanessa pozos via pexels.com