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What do you think a negotiation process in football is like?

Daisuk

Daisuk

Andy Thompson
You often read about "representatives of bla bla have met with team x" and so on. So, in these meetings. What's going on? I'm not much of a business man, I've worked for the government my whole life, more or less, so not very experienced.

How do you reckon they talk? How do you haggle or agree on a price? "nah, he's not worth that much, his left foot is brick, he's injured all the time, bit of a hot head". "we want 20 mill - did you see that assist against Leeds? His value will skyrocket!"

Just sounds silly, but I'm struggling to see just how these meetings are. What do you reckon?
 
There's surprising little dialogue.

Most of this takes place through tawdry media outlets. Clubs calling up assorted scoundrel red-top journos to let them know they 'have opened the war chest' and are 'preparing a bid of X amount'.

Agents leaking details and desires to same assorted scoundrel red-top journos.

Then, one party contacts the other and asks if it's true what they've read in the media.

If the answer is yes, then the player drives to his medical past a pre-positioned phalanx of paparazzi photogs and arrives at the training ground to pose for pictures with the new shirt and signing the contract.
 
I suspect that its rare that clubs agree to a deal in principle and then haggle over the price.

Most clubs will be looking at upgrades in a number of areas. They might be looking at five positions, expecting to get someone for say three of them. For each position they will have a number of players in mind. How much is available for one purchase will depend on how much is spent on others and what can be raised from selling unwanted players. The buying club will have similar issues but in particular will want a replacement. They will ask for more early on because they don't know how much they will need for the replacement. There will be a whole network of proposed transfers. It's only when the window is about to close that decisions get made and set in motion a chain of compromise deals, which will work well for some clubs and leave others missing out. Club A will agree to sell player X to Club B, which allows them to sell player Y to Club C, while Club A can buy player Z from Club D, and so on. Clearly not all deals will be contingent on others, but generally a club will be looking at lots of options and the prices will be pragmatic, depending on how different deals play out.
 
You just keep hearing how Levy is a tough negotiator. Just how are you a tough negotiator in the business of football players? If you're buying a car you can at least argue with prices from around the country or mileage or whatever - how exactly do they do it with footballers in mind? There's a lot of potential for comedy in there somewhere. :p
 
It's very easy you pay what ever the club and the player want, if or when the signing doesnt workout you just repeat the action as you have a limitless pot of money.
 
For us, number one is not to be in a bidding war. If the only parties are Spurs, the selling club, and player, then you can exert leverage. Ideally, the player wants to join Spurs. Without serious competition and the player onside, then you can negotiate with the selling club. How? First you ask them to reduce the price. Get them to come down. You might point to factors that mean the price should be lower - covid, your budget, anything. Then you go in with a price lower than their lowest price, and you settle halfway in between.

The best place to learn how to negotiate is in the markets of Cairo. Personal charm, friendliness, humour, insight, honesty, positive intention and determination to seal the deal are often important.
 
Them: we think player x is worth £20m
Us: £30m plus Sissoko
Them: £18m no Sissoko
Us £32m plus Sissoko
Them: £15m no Sissoko
Us £35m plus Sissoko
Them £10m final offer
Us: ok

This is why we have Sissoko
 
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