07 Jun 2026 14:04:17
Does anyone think these transfer fees have just got to insane levels where slightly above average players are being touted at £100m players. When the likes of Wharton, Diomande, Barcola etc are costing this much and are largely unproven we really need to question what is happening.
£100m should be getting you proven, elite footballers not potential, no wonder players are running down there contracts because they want in on this gravy train!
07 Jun 2026 14:45:11
It's what is to be expected with the amount of money in the game and with those who would command the most rarely being sold. The likes of Figo, Zidane, Zlatan, (fat) Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo etc regularly changing clubs for top fees are gone, but the money is still there to be spent.
07 Jun 2026 17:05:12
Yeah, but we say the same thing every 5 or 6 years really; football inflation happens at 3x the rate of economic inflation, so the market always seems insanely disproportionate. Won't be long now before it'll cost you £200m for a decent LB.
07 Jun 2026 19:04:53
It's hard to tell if this is a good or bad thing, there is a gulf in terms of revenue between the top clubs and rest of league so maybe it's no harm in terms of wealth distribution and sustainability for the non top 6 clubs to be able to recoup these larger transfer fees in order to keep up? Ultimately, Chewy is right that inflation is multiplied in football, but it's risky business investing figures we are being quoted for the likes of Diomande and, to a lesser extent, what we paid for Jacquet.
Great up and coming talents, but could easily be the next Jordan Ibe.
07 Jun 2026 19:09:27
What do you class as unproven? Barcola has won 2 Champions Leagues and domestic leagues, and played for France. Wharton has an FA Cup, a Conference League, and played for England.