12 Sep 2026 07:04:16
If clubs can still sign players on a free transfer and players can buy themselves out of their contract .whats to stop this happening outside of transfer windows?
For an example, Isak gets injured, we find an interested striker with one or two years left on his contract.
He immediately buys out his contract. We compensate him for the trouble with a signing on bonus that covers his losses. Essentially buying a player outside a transfer window. I'm guessing things are in place to stop this happening.
12 Sep 2026 07:55:46
Isn't that what Neymar did at Barca?
I have a feeling that it was within the transfer window though.
12 Sep 2026 08:05:28
Aren't all transfers technically the 'buying' club essentially giving the target player the money to end their contract? Or was that just release clause's? I've probably got that wrong.
{Ed001's Note - release clauses.
12 Sep 2026 09:21:26
The buy out is subject to FIFA regulation. In the case of Richarlison apparently he's having to prove Tottenham have breached aspects of the contract to make the outcome more achievable.
If it was easy players would do it all the time. Generally though if it gets to that point the relationship with the club has broken down so it's best for all parties if a settlement is reached.
12 Sep 2026 10:20:02
I'm pretty sure there's still some rules about registering free transfers outside of transfer windows. Something along the lines of "if a player is released from his contract outside of a transfer window, he can only play for a team that has a current active transfer window, or can't be registered until the next transfer window".
I might be slightly off the mark, but I'm sure there's something in the rules along those lines.
{Ed001's Note - correct.
12 Sep 2026 12:21:41
Ah, that makes sense. Thanks RP.