A transfer is a popular word in soccer discussions, and they involve a lot of money changing accounts from a club that acquires a player to one where he or she played. The issue has many technicalities, and it helps to understand the meaning of transfers and the way they work.
First, a transfer is a business transaction between two clubs. One releases a player to join another. A club player works under a contract. When another one wants to secure that person's services, it asks for a transfer and compensates the employer. The compensation is called a transfer fee that the management decides after considering several factors, including:
- Quality of the player
- Length of the current contract
- Commercial value of the player and potential worth
How Transfers Happen
Transfers in soccer work because clubs discuss a player's future and agree on the terms of sale. A club that is buying also agrees on a new contract with the moving player.
A club interested in signing a player makes the first move by sending a representative to make an official inquiry from the one in contract with the target. However, some clubs try to entice players directly by bypassing official channels. The practice called ′tapping up′ is prohibited but happens because the grounds for enforcing the ban are weak.
A club that is willing to sell facilitates the process by informing the target player about the offer and terms of the move. Players usually take time to discuss the details with their agents and advisors. A club that does not want to sell rejects the transfer bids. The matter might end at this point or continue if the player still wants to move clubs and decides to issue a transfer request.
A transfer becomes a reality when the two clubs negotiate a fee for the move. They also discuss other relevant clauses, such as the sell-on percentages and any other financial inducements. A buying club at this moment negotiates a new contract with the target player, demonstrating that it will meet demands such as salary, bonus earnings, contract length, and other welfare matters.
Transfers take place during two official transfer windows that should take place every season. National soccer associations decide the opening and closing period for men and women seasons in their jurisdictions.
