Premier League clubs have made a net loss of more than �1.1bn from failed transfers, according to a study from The Player Care Group. That equates to a reported net loss of �19.6m for each club per season between 2021 and 2024.
A failed transfer is described as a transfer in which a player, who was signed by a Premier League club either on a free transfer or for a fee, was then sold or loaned to another club during the same 2021-2024 window, with those playing fewer than 60% of matches across their length of contract.
The report claims almost a third of all Premier League signings during the measured period were failed and that player-care issues are one of the root causes. Unsuccessful transfers disproportionately affected foreign players, with 70% coming from players who did not speak English as their first language.
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Players aged between 18 and 21 also account for 39% of failed transfers, suggesting youngsters often find it more difficult to establish themselves at new clubs.
Hugo Scheckter, Founder & Managing Director of The Player Care Group, said: The process of commissioning this research and assessing its findings has been truly fascinating here at The Player Care Group.
Top-level football is an incredibly complex industry, and unquestionably there are a number of factors which impact the potential success of a transfer. Clubs that prioritise proactive Player Care with full departments see a decrease in onboarding times, ensuring the player care hit the ground running on the pitch as quickly as possible.
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It is always critical to remember that footballers, no matter how talented, are humans with their own unique concerns and insecurities. However, we know first-hand how important bespoke and considered player care programmes can be for increasing the chances of success.
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Callum is a football writer who has had work published by the likes of BBC Sport, the Independent, BT Sport and the Blizzard, amongst various others. A lifelong Wrexham fan, he is hoping Ryan Reynolds can lead his hometown club to the promised land.
