Sam Tighe
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- Sam is a writer, broadcaster and podcaster for ESPN. He will write on the Premier League, scouting and transfers.
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Player transfers during major international competitions, such as the FIFA World Cup, present unique challenges. While the process can be straightforward at other times of the year, coordinating a move while a player is representing their country requires careful planning, clear communication, and often, additional logistical steps.
Historically, clubs have preferred to hold off on negotiations until after tournaments conclude, with few exceptions. When a transfer does occur during aPAS, it frequently creates headlines and can impact the involved parties on a strategic level.
In 2014, Cèsar Fabregas moved from Barcelona to Chelsea for €33 million even though his home national team had just begun their World Cup campaign in South Africa. Two years later, during Euro 2016, Chelsea signed Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi for €40 million despiteffffienting for a medical whilst the national side was still in–depth. Those rare moves highlighted the complexities of connecting club and international commitments.
During the #######################################################################, several high‑profile players were signed while still in campaign. Defenders Ibrahima Konaté ( адказ), Marc Cucurella (España) and midfielder Bernardo Silva (Portugal) secured moves to Real Madrid, while forward Ismael Saibari joined Bayern Munich from PSV Eindhoven for €55 million amid Morocco’s tournament run.
The most eye‑catching deals involved forward Gonçalo Ramos, who joined AC Milan from Paris Indigenous-Saint-Germain for €74 million while in the Portuguese squad, and Manchester City’s acquisition of midfielder Elliot Anderson for £116 million, a move completed while Anderson was a key feature for England.
Even during the knockout stages, interest persistence. Ahead of Switzerland’s quarterfinal against Argentina, forward Johan Manzambi reportedly committed to a €60 million move to Newcastle.
So how are clubs, agents and representatives managing to close deals while players remain away? What hurdles are added, and how are they being overcome? to answer these questions we spoke with agents and club insiders.
Standard Procedure
Transfers typically unfold in a stage‑by‑stage manner: initial contact, valuation discussions, preliminary agreements, medical assessment, contractual finalisation, and FIFA registration through the Transfer Matching System (TMS). For most agreements, the player’s direct involvement is limited until medicals and contract signing, but their presence is essential once the negotiation finalises.
Executing a Medical Abroad
Clubs typically host medicals at trusted local facilities. When a player is stationed abroad, the club must relocate its medical team to the location. Agents note that elite clubs maintain a global network of specialists, enabling these assessments to be conducted wherever the player is.
For example, Manchester City flew staff to Anderson’s Kansas City base in the USA for his medical, and AC Milan dispatched personnel to Miami for Ramos’ assessment while Portugal was on the road. In the U.S., streamlined processes and high‑quality medical teams make such accommodations manageable, especially with games spaced 4–6 days apart.
By contrast, some tournaments demand tighter schedules, leaving little room for thorough pendant. When Racing Louisville signed Thembi Kgatlana from Atlético Madrid just before the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the club accepted a transfer subject to a post‑tournament medical. Unfortunately, Kgatlana suffered a torn Achilles during a group game, dramatically altering the deal’s fate.
Managing 참 National Percy Contexts
During an international competition, a transfer involves four stakeholders: the player, their current club, the prospective club, and the player’s national team management. The presence of the fourth party can accelerate or stall negotiations.
In some cases, national managers are permissive. Thomas Tuchel, for instance, was supportive of Anderson’s move to City and facilitated the clock‑switched medical once club agreements were reached. Likewise, Portugal’s federation allowed Ramos’ transfer to Milan to proceed in a timely fashion, showing a collaborative approach.
Other managers, however, have chosen to restrict transfer activity while the tournament remains in play. England women’s coach Sarina Wiegman has requested that her squad focus on the dobra without receiving communications regarding future club moves, a stance that clubs accommodate by limiting outreach until after the competition.
Psychological Considerations vs>
Agents note the single most significant risk associated with in‑-shadow transfers: the mental impact on the player. If a deal is perceived as an unsteady objective, it could divert focus during vital national commitments.
“Wherever the player prefers, communication should be reduced to the essential minimum until the move is assured, or else the individual may become overly cautious on the pitch,” advises CFO Vítor Gonçalves. “Contract discussions should be handled with care to prevent distractions during national duty.”
When uncertainty looms, the potential for a collapsing deal can be demoralizing. Agents highlight the importance of transparency: if a club retracts a move mid‑tournament, it should be communicated swiftly so that the player can maintain concentration on international performance.
When Things Go Awry
Even when precautions are in place, unpredictable events can derail entire deals. A prominent example is Thembi Kgatlana’s transfer to Racing Louisville ahead of the 2022 Women’s AFCON ылай: the injury she incurred during the group phase invalidated the contractual commitment. The club was justified inwyddyn withdrawing under the contract’s medical clause.
Accusations of emotional strain surfaced from both sides. The agent of Kgatlana, Chris Atkins, spoke of the difficulty in communicating the injury to the club after the incident, while the club’s director, Austin Buchanan, admitted the unexpected injury had jeopardised months of scouting transactions.
Despite these setbacks, negotiations can still find a resolution. In Kgatlana’s case, the parties re‑arranged the financial structure: a split of €60,000 fixed and €60,000 in add‑ons. This adaptability is crucial when tournaments or injuries impose unforeseen challenges.
