Why Some Premier League Transfer Fees Remain Undisclosed
Recently, the Premier League transfer window has been bustling, prompting many questions about how transfers work. One common query is why some clubs choose not to reveal transfer fees.
Why keep transfer fees hidden? Clubs often prefer to keep their financial dealings private to avoid giving rivals insight into their spending power. For example, if Team A spends a large amount on a player, competitors won’t know how much money remains for future signings. Likewise, when Team B sells a player, other teams remain unaware of their budget for replacements.
This secrecy seems less effective nowadays since leaks from agents and insiders often reveal fees anyway. In cases involving foreign clubs listed on stock exchanges, like Lyon or Juventus, those clubs must disclose exact figures publicly, even if the English club labels the deal as undisclosed. Still, Premier League clubs maintain this practice.
Homegrown Player Criteria Explained
What defines a homegrown player? It doesn’t depend on nationality but on time spent registered at an English or Welsh club before turning 21. A player qualifies if they have completed three full seasons or 36 months with such a club prior to their 21st birthday or the season’s end in which they turn 21.
For instance, Chelsea striker Joao Pedro, born in Sao Paulo, joined Watford at 18 and is considered homegrown due to meeting these conditions.
The Premier League’s rules differ from UEFA’s. UEFA counts the qualifying period only between ages 15 and 21, while the Premier League starts counting from younger ages.
Opposite cases: When nationality doesn’t matter
Players like Eric Dier, though English-born and educated partly in England, didn’t qualify as homegrown because they spent less than three years registered with English clubs before 21. In contrast, Noni Madueke, who played abroad between 16 and 20, qualifies as homegrown because he spent several years in English academies earlier.
Similarly, Jeremie Frimpong, born in Amsterdam and playing for the Netherlands internationally, qualifies as homegrown due to nine years in Manchester City’s academy.
How Sell-On Fees Operate
What happens when sell-on clauses are involved? Suppose Team A sells a player to Team B for £5m. Later, Team B sells that player to Team C for £20m. If there is a 10% sell-on fee on profits, Team A receives 10% of the £15m profit, which is £1.5m.
Payment of sell-on fees usually follows the payment structure of the transfer itself. If Team C pays the £20m in instalments, Team B passes on the sell-on fee to Team A in the same way. Team A receives payment only after Team B is paid by Team C.
Contract terms can vary: sometimes the original agreement requires full immediate payment or allows negotiation for early payout with adjustments.
Additional Transfer Window Insights
- Rules on player swaps during transfer windows
- Reasons behind scheduling EFL Cup matches on weekends
- New financial regulations Premier League clubs must follow
- Changes in Fantasy Premier League for the 2026-27 season
