In an exclusive interview with Last Word on Football, transfer expert Damian Szurgot of 321 Transfer discussed how contract issues like Leeds United are facing right now are a “constant tug-of-war” between clubs and agents. After running a transfer platform across Europe, Szurgot has a wealth of experience in transfer negotiations and the complexities of dealing with agents.
Leeds United ‘Tug-of-War’ Revealed by Transfer Expert
Leeds United’s Transfers So Far
The transfer window at Elland Road hasn’t been the most fruitful thus far, primarily consisting of losing player after player on loan deals across Europe. These include tricky number ten Brenden Aaronson, centre-backs Robin Koch and Diego Llorente, Rasmus Kristensen to Roma and most recently Max Wober leaving for the Bundesliga. Leeds have had a lot of work to do to make up these gaps in the squad, with many fans wondering how this clause exists.
According to The Athletic, these departures were the result of a clause being triggered in which a relegation would lead to them being able to leave on loan. An exodus followed. Fans have widely viewed these clauses as a mistake due to their weakening of Leeds’ financial position, and the probable loss of Robin Koch on a free next summer is one of the clearest symptoms of that. Losing out on the “tug-of-war” is clearly damaging the Elland Road side.
Watch: Asking a transfer expert about Leeds United’s window
The ‘Struggle for Influence’ in Transfers
In the interview, Szurgot states that modern transfers are becoming something of a “struggle for influence” between all of the involved parties. For this example, agents and players fought to have an exit in the event of relegation from the Premier League, with Victor Orta’s transfer team losing the battle and eventually inserting those clauses. As the transfer expert also stated “we are talking about huge money”, with both sides at risk of losing out significantly in the event of poor negotiations. In these cases, it seems like the Elland Road hierarchy were the group that missed their chance.
Leeds United are almost certainly facing these same issues this summer. In the battle for influence, relegation means that players are more likely to want to leave, and buying clubs have a huge amount of added influence. This is potentially why the Whites are signing players such as Ethan Ampadu and Karl Darlow, that have found themselves out of favour at previous clubs and will look for ways back into regular first-team football.
Read More: Leeds United Suffer Major Injury Blow
How to Resolve These Issues
With data playing a more prominent role in football and younger people taking control of the industry when it comes to scouting, there is even more space for innovation in the transfer industry. By implementing more intelligence and analytics at their respective clubs, members of transfer staff can make much more informed decisions and avoid clauses that will significantly damage their sides for years to come. With the season looming there is almost certainly not enough time to fix the structural issues at Leeds United in time for the 2023/24 campaign, but keeping this in mind for the future can spare plenty of blushes to come.
Image courtesy of Joe Blackburn, licensed to Last Word on Sports.
