The rise of free agency and the ‘super-agent’: the changing face of the football transfer market.

There has been a marked shift in the way that transfer value is being appraised. Value of players as assets to clubs, previously determined by factors such as age and talent, now has to contend with remaining contract length diminishing that value, something which ‘super-agents’ have brought to the forefront of the footballing world’s eyes.

Traditionally, clubs would allow players deemed surplus to requirements to leave for free at the expiry of their contract, but it is no longer that simple. It is not just unwanted players that are associated with free agency, now, important first team players and their agents have found a way of exploiting the system to their benefit.

Previously a status to be feared, ‘super-agents’ and their clients are beginning to use free agency as a threat to clubs, encouraging them to safeguard their investment by selling the player or to offer them a better deal.

An example of this is Paul Pogba at Manchester United, with his contract due to expire in June 2022, he would be able to negotiate a move away from United without a transfer fee. As we have seen recently, agent Mino Raiola has applied pressure via the media, attempting to force United to either offer his client a better deal or to quickly accept a lower offer for his services than they would normally consider; to attempt to recoup some money back before his contract expires and he can leave entirely for free.

Paul Pogba's agent Mind Raiola has consistently linked his client with a move away from Old Trafford to pressurise the club into decisive action.

Previously, value was held in the players themselves, but now we see a shift towards contract length being the determining factor when discussing transfer value. Agents would describe this as a victory for player rights, whilst clubs view it as agent over-interference.

It is not just the elite players that are taking advantage of this. Ryan Fraser, formerly of Bournemouth, saw his wages hiked from £27,000 per week to a reported £41,800 when making his switch to St. James Park. Being close to contract expiry was previously a worrying time for players like Fraser, but now it is the clubs that find themselves scrambling to reassess the value of their players with the knowledge that their player’s contracts are due to expire. Alternatively, if they want to keep hold of the player, they see themselves being strong-armed into offering improved deals.

The effect this has had on clubs reacting to this new problem saw Chelsea offer a lucrative seven-year contract to Kepa Arrizabalaga. Whilst trying to avoid the issue of having a shorter contract, Chelsea are now stuck with a £56,000,000 contracted player they do not want and cannot sell.

Kepa Arrizabalaga came to Chelsea with much promise, but has since been replaced by Edouard Mendy as no.1 at Stamford Bridge.

Here we find the crux of the issue – clubs have lost significant power and find themselves in an increased cycle of risk. Either gamble on long contracts with players that may not work out or risk a shorter contract with the possibility of it being exploited by the ‘super-agents’.