19 Jul 2019 01:48:11
Quick question for Ed02 if you have the time. Sorry if youve already answered this in the past. I used the search function but couldn't find an aswer.

Pardon my ignorance but I was wondering if you could briefly explain the correct process that a club must take to speak with a player? I only ask because you mention in some of your replies that clubs have spoken with a players agent but have not made an offer to the players club. Is this not tapping up? Or does the interested club notify or seek permission from the players club to speak with the player or his agent?

{Ed002's Note - The process should be along the lines of: 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 but no more than that. 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 to a player's agent formally about a transfer and also the player himself 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 formally to the player's agent and perhaps the player himself to look at 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.

Agents will often try and get more specific details of wages and other financials before they should - but most clubs are happy to follow this process. Players will often talk to other players about moves but, whilst wrong, is tolerated as it would be impossible to manage.

Alternatively, a selling club may ask an agent to find a new club for a player and he will talk directly to potential selling sides about the fee, personal terms and interest.

The rest of the time agents will be on fishing trips trying to find interest in their players.

In terms of what happens when the negotiations take place, broad agreement (player available and open to discussions, understanding of the price) will already have been reached. The clubs will meet to discuss the details of the transfer fee, other costs associated with the move and the structure of the payments and any additional fees (e.g another €5M for winning the Champions League etc.) but this does not take a "few days".}

1.) 19 Jul 2019
19 Jul 2019 14:10:56
Wow fantastic reply Ed. Thank you for the insight. Just wondering where 'tapping up' a player comes into this and what it actually involves? Not trying to open up a can of worms as I'm genuinely interested and have never quite understood what it involves. I understand if it is not a question you would like to answer.

{Ed002's Note - It involves Klopp phoning the player directly, the club providing an aircraft and him meeting van Dijk in Blackpool. Another example was Klopp making direct contact with a player in December - who would be out of contract in July and striking a deal. Another was a young RB where Klopp made direct contact and spoke of religion with him - but never signed him - his career at his club was then over and he eventually moved to Russia. There are a number of other such stories with Italian clubs a couple of years ago which include illegal approaches.}

2.) 19 Jul 2019
19 Jul 2019 21:34:08
Interesting stuff. Not quite the messiah he's made out to be. Thanks Ed.

3.) 19 Jul 2019
19 Jul 2019 23:29:40
Klopp's penchant for tapping up players is a blight on his otherwise stellar record at LFC. He needs to cut that out for good now.

{Ed002's Note - what stellar record is that?