Report: Premier League clubs face £1.1 billion net loss from unsuccessful transfers

A failed transfer is defined as a situation where a player, who was signed by a Premier League club either for free or for a fee, is subsequently sold or loaned to another club during the same 2021-2024 window, but plays in fewer than 60% of matches for the duration of their contract.

The report claims almost a third of all Premier League signings during the measured period were failed and that “player-care issues” are one of the root causes. Unsuccessful transfers disproportionately affected foreign players, with 70% coming from players who did not speak English as their first language.

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Players aged between 18 and 21 also account for 39% of failed transfers, suggesting youngsters often find it more difficult to establish themselves at new clubs.

Hugo Scheckter, Founder & Managing Director of The Player Care Group, said: “The process of commissioning this research and assessing its findings has been truly fascinating here at The Player Care Group.

“Top-level football is an incredibly complex industry, and unquestionably there are a number of factors which impact the potential success of a transfer. Clubs that prioritise proactive Player Care with full departments see a decrease in onboarding times, ensuring the player care hit the ground running on the pitch as quickly as possible.

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“It is always critical to remember that footballers, no matter how talented, are humans with their own unique concerns and insecurities. However, we know first-hand how important bespoke and considered player care programmes can be for increasing the chances of success.”

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