22 Mar 2017 18:57:38
ed002 even though we still have 2 months of the season left we are already hearing of players agreeing personal terms on perspective moves for next season, is this just agents sounding out clubs or clubs encouraging interest? what is the normal protocol that avoids accusations of tapping up?

{Ed002's Note - If a club speaks directly with a player without the permission of his club then that is "tapping up". Agents and clubs meet and talk regularly and clubs will enquire if a player might be interested in a move, what sort of deal he would want etc..

Clubs will typically informally ask an agent (a) if the player is going to be available, and (b) would the player consider a move to the club. There may be some broad discussion on the sort of deal that would be offered. If the answer is yes, it is then necessary for the club to approach the player's club to ask if they would be willing to sell and if they would grant permission to speak formally to a player's agent and possibly even the player about actually making a move. This will typically involve either broadly (through an offer) or actually agreeing a fee and responsibility for any significant costs (agents fees etc.). Once this has happened the club will be able to speak to the club, the player's agent and perhaps the player himself to look at the fee and the package that will be involved. Many players are looked at and discussed at a high-level with agents and clubs; a subset of those have an offer placed; a subset of those involve discussions with the player's club; a subset of those involve discussions over terms, and; a subset of those go ahead.}

1.) 22 Mar 2017
22 Mar 2017 19:15:02
thanks for clearing that up ed002, appreciate it.

2.) 23 Mar 2017
23 Mar 2017 21:41:27
"Tapping up" rules are completely obsolete in the modern game with practically every player having an agent who can "indicate" the level (expected wage) of a players interest.