Transfer stories are the lifeblood of sports media.
Of course match reports and build up are a huge part of coverage but they only account for a few days a week and a few 1000 words of copy, but transfers? These don’t even have to be real, the media can fire up the speculation and write millions of words without anything real even happening. Then when it does happen millions more words can be written about the enormity of the fees. Even when there is no football, there is still room for transfer rumour and inuendo.
Even in a football simulation game I find transfers the most interesting part.
Football Manager has been around since 2005 with it’s predecessor Championship manager starting out in 1992. I didn’t actually own a PC in 1992 but as soon as I did I was hooked. Creating dominant tactics and then assembling squads that would be the envy of the world.
As the games developed, I became less picky about tactics, as long as I won and scored bundles of goals I had no other preferences. It was the transfer business that most interested me, which is why I would dearly wish a director of football mode was introduced.
Bargain hunting is the name of the game. Some might describe it as Moneyball, but it isn’t really, the statistics used in the real world are not that important or in FM. The player attribute ratings are far more important. The undervalued aspect is not their statistics, it is simply whether a player is unhappy, out of the squad, transfer listed, their contract is running down, or they have a release clause to take advantage of.
I write this nine completed seasons into a Flamengo save in which I am attempting to get Lincoln to score over 1000 career goals, 1000 club goals and 100 international goals. I had fairly a strong squad but because of the nature of Brazilian football the turnover of players can be very high.
During the nine seasons the transfers have exposed a number of the quirks of the game, some of which have worked in my favour and some haven’t. Before I break down the transfer business itself I have to take mention release clauses. When players are signing new contracts it has proven almost impossible to get the agents to agree to suitably high release clauses. This means that I am constantly at risk of losing high quality players. The only solution is to keep offering them new contracts but it can be a little draining offering a player a contract every 6 months.
Rather than go over every single transfer I will pick out a few individual deals from each season and look at how they worked out over time.
2018
Luis Diaz.
Signed for £1.1 million the Colombian wide player stayed for two seasons. He played 119 games and scored 54 goals before Barcelona swooped in with a £27 million bid plus add ons. This netted me a hefty £26 million profit. For Barcelona he played just 24 games before being sold to Spartak Moscow for £8 million. This pattern will repeat regularly, players signed by big teams and then mismanaged before being sold at a lost.
Wallace
Signed from Lazio as he was unhappy and unable to get into the team. After 86 games and breaking into the national team PSG came in with a £32 million offer. In seven seasons in Paris the most league games he played in a season was 12. Another tidy £21million profit pocketed.
Daniel Guedes
Twenty two year old full back at the time of purchase. I triggered his £2.7 million clause. He was at Flamengo for four seasons before being sold to Tottenham for £20 million after 120 games. Profit of £17 million.
2019
Thiago Almada
During that first season I was able to tie up a deal for Almada, one of the best young strikers on the game. He is always available for a couple of million. After two excellent seasons the big boys came knocking. Manchester City matched his release clause of £17.5 million. I could not make him sign a contract with a higher clause and I could not get him to turn down City. A healthy £15.5 million profit but I lost one of the great players. City mistreated him terribly, spending most of his time on loan until Chelsea signed him fir £25 million six years later.
Ivonei
Still a teenager with a tiny £250k release clause. The player is still at the club and valued at £16 million, competing for a spot in central midfield. He has made 247 appearance. Just over £1000 a game.
Zeca
Here is where things start to get interesting. I signed Zeca for £10 million. Early in his second season Manchester City came in and Zeca was desperate to sign. I couldn’t persuade him to stay and he went to City for the low price of £15million. A year later he returned on loan. During that loan spell City quoted £90 million for me to sign him. A crazy fee for a player who had played less than 30 games for them. I had to let him go back to City. Within 6 months Zeca was on the transfer list, so I signed him for £23 million and he has been at the club for 6 seasons after that purchase. I have spent £33 million on him, receiving £15 million back. The player has made 366 appearances and scored 65 goals from left back and right back.
Sebastien Villa
Another Colombian wide player purchased for a snip at £2million, this time on the right-hand side. After three seasons he was sold to Inter for £17 million. Another profit. For once the buying club used the player properly as he made over 50 appearances in two seasons at Inter.
Juan Fernando Quintero
This purchase was all about opportunity. Quintero was transfer listed for £2.4 million so I felt I could not turn him down. He never really nailed down a spot in my team but I was able to sell him on for £7million.
Matheus Fernandes
Cone of the most promising central midfielders in Spain. Signed for £13 million and another player who ended up at Manchester City, joining them for £18.5 million. I was happy to take it this time, as my midfield had become quite crowded. He logged 244 appearances before moving on. In three seasons at Manchester City he played just 10 league games.
Eder
A rotational central back signed for just £700k but sold for £9.25 million to Burnley. A good example of making a profit relatively easily.
Lisandro Martinez.
Signed for his £2.4 million from Argentine club Defensa y Justicia, by the time he left he was the best central defender in the world. My inability to get players to sign big release clauses bit me here as Barcelona took him away for a mere £21.5 million. He was with more for four seasons and has been at Barcelona for five, now aged 29 he is valued at £57 million. This was a tough one to take, even though I made a profit, I knew he was undervalued and I would not find another central defender as good. I never did.
Rodrigo Becao
Another central defender. Another low release clause of £3.5 million. Another player snatched up by Manchester City. After four seasons at Flamengo he left for £25 million. He was then transfer listed and signed back for £11.25million. Two seasons later Shanggang signed him for £20 million. Two spells, 160 games, £15million spent and £45million received.
2020
Kaio Jorge
Wonderkid striker signed for £11million. No release clause in his contract, which is why I eventually got £75million plus a £10million add on for him. It was a real battel to get that fee though, as the AI did what it always does and bids ridiculously low. A few million over his market value only. Thankfully this time I was able to negotiate them up and find a replacement. Kaio had five seasons with me, playing 277 games, scoring 135 goals (which may not seem a lot but you have to remember that the aim in this save is to get Lincoln to score as many goals as possible) and netting me a nice £74 million profit.
Iago
Left back signed for £10.5 million. He performed well enough to attract he attentions of Barcelona, so after a season and a half he was sold for £34million.
Lucas Lima
A top quality central midfielder. Very experienced and at the peak of his career, an unusual signing in some ways because I generally look for a sell on value. After four seasons he was sold for £925k, representing a loss of almost £10million. However, I did get 171 games, 47 goals and every trophy available for my money. No regrets at all.
Luan
At £23.5 million a relatively expensive signing. Luan represented versatility and quality, plus it was a little bit of statement signing, coming from Juventus. After three seasons he was sold for a small profit at £25 million because other players arrived to edge him out. A large total of 179 games in those three seasons, with 68 goals.
Malcolm
Another statement signing, costing just £14million from Barcelona. This player has been mismanaged his whole career on this FM save. He is 30 in 2027 with his contract set to expire and I am very tempted to sign him again. At Barcelona he had started 4 games in two years. I signed him and then sold him to PSG for £45 million plus a £10 million add on (£39 million profit). For me he was a star, playing 108 games in two and a half seasons, scoring 27 goals and registering 34 assists. At PSG he featured strongly in his first season but has spent four seasons as a reserve. A grand total of 43 games in 5 years, 31 of them in his first season. PSG and Manchester City have clearly been programmed to have more money than they know what to do with.
Igor Rabello
A high-quality central defender signed for £11.5 million and sold a season and a half later to Real Madrid for £23 million, activating the release clause. Sold by Real Madrid having played 22 games.
Alvaro Barreal
An Argentine wonderkid that I stumbled across. Roma had done a great job picking him up for £3.1 million but they had only put a £10.5 million clause in his contract, so I activated it. In two seasons he was in and out of my team and showing promise. Inter offered £25 million and I took it. Inter seem to be the anti City and PSG. He has stayed at Inter playing 181 league games in six seasons.
Kenedy
Snapped up on a free after his Chelsea contract expired. At this stage the team was attacked with wide players. He only started 10 games but added another 30 as a sub. Southampton offered me £32 million which I was very happy to accept. An easy profit showing it is always worth watching out for the expiring contracts.
Lucas Silva
Another player signed on a free, purely because I knew I could get some money for him. After a year he was sold for £9 million having done very little for me. More easy money though.
Gerson
Transfer listed by Roma and signed for £7million, Gerson would spend seven seasons at Flamengo, eventually leaving for China for £23.5 million. Countless trophies and 305 games would be chalked up in that time. One of the best value for money signings in this save.
2021
Lucas Paqueta
My first really big money signing. Paqueta had a £45million release clause in his Milan contract and was my first world class signing. His valuation was £40 million but that dropped like a stone as soon as he hit the Brazilian league. He would stay for three and a half seasons, playing 173 games scoring 42 goals from central midfield. Barcelona paid £62 million plus clauses for him and they used him reasonably well considering the strength of their squad. He is still there, but transfer listed, asking price £50 million.
Gabriel Barbosa
At the beginning of the save Gabigol is on loan at Flamengo for two seasons. He formed a fine partnership with Lincoln until returning to Inter. A year later he became available for free, naturally I brought him back. In his loan spell he was integral but once signed permanently the competition for places would be too much and he was increasingly marginalised. Five seasons later he was sold to PAOK for £7.5 million. Another profit netted. In two spells he played 259 games, scoring 108 goals.
Matheus Cunha
Cunha was rescued from the PSG reserves for £13 million. I retrained him slightly for a right sided midfield role and he became a prime source of assists. For five seasons he was offered new contract after new contract but never budged above a £26 million release clause, which Real Madrid triggered. As soon as he joined his value jumped to £44million. Nonetheless, I doubled my money and got 249 games, 62 goals and 87 assists (including a 31 assist season) out of him.
Emerson
When I lost Zeca I needed to find another full back. I found Emerson at Barcelona B, valued at just over £2 million but they refused to sell until I met his £13million release clause. He blossomed into a fantastic player. Liverpool noticed and paid £35 million for him, but he only made 3 appearances before I signed him again for £19.25 million a year later. After another three years Manchester City (them again) pounced for £36.5 million. I could have signed him again another year later, but Spartak jumped in with a £10.25 million bid before I could act. I spent £22.25 million on Emerson, receiving £71.5 million in return.
Renan Lodi
Selling Zeca required signing two players. Renan Lodi is still at the club having joined for £8 million. It has been a battle to keep him at times, with various promises to win titles having been made, usually having just won said title, such is the logic of FM. Thus far Lodi has appeared 257 times in his five and a half seasons.
2022
Gabriel Jesus
The transfer market starts to get interesting at this time. In 2020 there a couple of signings I make that fall flat but I also make this marquee purchase. On the transfer list at Manchester City, initially for £70 million I managed to get them down to £49 million. It has been a constant battle to keep him ever since. His contract has never had a release clause higher than £26 million and I have had to make lots of promises. Frankly I have been very lucky that for some reason Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal have never just paid the release clause. Five and a half seasons on, he is still at the club. The proud owner of World Player of the Year award, rattling up the appearances and goals; 323 games, 195 goals. Now 30 I will probably never make the money back, but I think having a player of his quality is more than good enough.
Leo Santos
At this time, I started losing central defenders, replacements needed to be found. Leo Santos was one of the better young defenders in Brazil, £20 million was paid out for him. After a season Chelsea paid £25 million for him. Two seasons later I bought him back for £11.75 million before selling him to Atletico for £11 million. He never quite made the level at Flamango but at Chelsea it was even worse, only playing 8 times in two seasons. At least he played 67 games for me.
Thiago Maia
Transfer listed by Bayern Munich for £26.5 million I saw a defensive midfielder with some ability to play centre back. I decided to pay the money and convert him. Five and a half seasons later he is the mainstay of the defence, with 314 games played. Like Jesus, he is 30 and I will probably not see any money for him. Also like Jesus, it has been a struggle to keep him out the hands of the English clubs. Fortunately he has never had a release clause and they have never made anything close to a reasonable offer.
Raphinha
I had my eye on Raphinha for a long time. An exciting, tricky wide player at Sporting Lisbon. He developed massively to the point where his £35million release clause looked like a bargain. It proved top be just that. Three seasons, 156 games, 64 goals, 57 assists (a 30 assist season). I had a huge amount of competition in wide positions. Indeed, I did in all positions, but the Brazilian season is almost 80 games when successful, plus fixtures still go ahead while internationals are taking place. Chelsea came in with a large bid of £45 million plus add ons, Raphinha wanted to go and I was ready to let him leave.
2023
Luiz Eduardo
This is the season where I started signing regens and activating their exceptionally low release clauses. Luiz Eduardo is the first of these, costing just £300k, still at the club and yet to play a first team game.
Eder Donizete
A regen signed for £425k. After two seasons on loan I put him in the first team. In came PSG to activate his release clause of £28 million. Donizete had only played 24 first team games for me and returned a profit of over £27.5 million. This pattern would start to become familiar.
Airton Fonseca Pierri
Another regen and another low fee. Just £375k. After time on loan elsewhere he broke into the first team squad. After 44 games Spurs activated his release clause, paying £17.25 million for him. Almost £16 million profit.
Andre Onana
I had been looking for a goalkeeper for some time and I noticed a well known name available. Onana had a £15million release clause at Wolfsburg. Onana’s story at Flamengo is intertwined with other goalkeepers. Not long after signing him I found a Mexican wonder kid who pushed Onana out. Newcastle stepped in with a £22 million offer. Two years later I lost my wonderkid but Onana was available again for £18.5 million. He is now first choice but is surrounded by wonderkid goalkeepers. He may soon be sold once more.
Paulinho
A huge statement signing. I splashed out £73 million to activate Paulinho’s release clause. He has been a world class performer, recently winning a World Player of the Year award. As with the other big name players, it has been a battle to keep him, but the £500 million release clause in his contract has helped. In four and a half seasons Paulinho has played on the left and right, making 267 appearances, scoring 122 goals and assisting 90 times.
Douglas Borel
Signed as young right back who could offer cover Borel excelled while others where injured. He cost just £5.75 million and when Manchester City decided to offer £25 million a season later it was a great deal for me to sell my back up right back for an almost £20 million profit. An example of how reactionary the AI often is to a player who has done little more than ok.
Emerson Santos
The turnover of central defenders is incredibly high but Emerson Santos is another who has remained. Regularly partnering Thiago Maia. He cost £10.5 million and was not first choice to begin with. Now at 32 I doubt any money will come in for him and after over 200 games I don’t see that as important.
Alvarino.
A left sided regen snapped up for £425k. He spent a season on loan then joined up with the first team squad. After just 15 first team games and 8 goals Real Madrid triggered his £24.5 million clause. This totally took me by surprise. A big profit in next to no time, but it caught off guard.
Santiago Nicola Irarragorri
The most fantastic wonderkid goalkeeper. A mere £11.25 million release clause to get him, a £33.5 million took him away. Spurs it was who signed him and he plays every game for them. It was a huge blow when he left, but his arrival was the end for Andre Onana, his leaving was a second chance for Onana.
Everton
AC Milan would spend £20.5 million on this defensive midfielder who cost me £300k (another release clause). Everton did not make a single first team appearance, spending time on loan. A £20 million profit made without him kicking a ball.
James Rodriguez
A huge name signed off the back of an expired contract. James lasted a year, hardly played and left for £2.5 million. Distinctly underwhelming in his 21 games, scoring just 2 goals.
Joao Carlos
Fitting the Everton pattern, Carlos cost £350k, did not play a game and left for £6.5 million.
Zico
A young central defender who is still at the club but yet to play. He cost £900k but has bought in more than that in loan fees. He may yet break into the first team squad.
2024
Eliezio
The regen release clause has really taken over from the big signing by this point. This time Eliezio cost £275k. After 1 first team game Manchester City, once again, stepped in an paid £22 million to activate his release clause. I was not particularly pleased as Eliezio was about to become a first-choice player, but another £20 million went into the pot.
Claudio Molina
Possibly the biggest bargain of all. Claudio Molina cost £66k. He is now the best central midfielder in the team, valued at £18.75 million with a clause of £24 million that I am working to try and increase season. He has had two and a half seasons as the number one choice, playing 115 games, scoring 26 goals and recording 54 assists. He also has an eye for spectacular long range strikes.
Jonas Augusto
Currently one of the best midfielders in the world, but no longer at my club. The release clause first working for me, then against me. I signed him for £300k, he spent a year on loan then broke into the team but lost I him to Manchester United for £24 million. He had only played 22 games but was well on his way to establishing himself. This was a big loss, but if there was one area of the team where I had a huge number of players, this was it.
Walmir
I paid £25 million for a player who had all the hallmarks of world class central midfielder at 21. He was a dominant force in central midfield for two seasons until Real Madrid paid £44 million plus add ons. This fee was an excellent result for me as his release clause was £40 million and Walmir was absolutely set on leaving. In two seasons he played 123 games, scored 43 goals with 41 assists. A fantastic player.
Jean Pedro
When Chelsea came in for Kaio Jorge I almost rejected their offer. This player was the reason I did not. I found him as teenager with a £19 million clause. Given how much I received for Kaio this made sense as a deal. He is still at the club and only 22. He has 177 games, with half of those as substitute. During this time, he has 66 goals. But I see him as the long-term successor to Gabriel Jesus.
2025
Adrian
An unusual signing, a player from a major Europen nation. Adrian cost £1.7million from Valladolid. Yet another release clause purchase. He has been trained as a central defender and is now establishing himself in the first team.
Ulisses
Able to play at centre back and right back Ulisses bailed me out of a few injury problems in the 2026 season. He cost £525k and in 2027 Manchester United spotted the £19 million release clause and paid it. After 34 first team games an £18.5 million profit was made.
Elton
A wonderkid striker who has not made the first team yet. Only £300k but could go far.
Jardel Laureth
A defensive midfielder who cost £300k. Highly rated by the staff, but not so much by me. He has been on loan for two seasons and is valued at £6.5 million. I expect to sell him and make a profit.
Joao Roberto
The start of the line up of wonderkid goalkeepers. Costing just £275k he is currently in the reserves but is good enough to put pressure on Onana.
Marcio Ricardo
I was left scrambling as Manchester City and Real Madrid decimated my left side. Real signed Alvarino while City came in for Victor Hugo, who had come through the academy, for £26 million. My solution was to play Paulinho on the left and sign right sided players, as I couldn’t find any suitable left sided players. Ricardo was highly rated as a wonderkid and signed for £17.5 million. He is still at the club and has played 57 games thus far.
Tete
The other right sided signing. He cost £12 million and is also still at the club. With 70 appearances and 24 goals so far. A left footer on the right hand side, he has a tendency to cut inside and strike from range.
Marilia
Signed as a 16-year-old central defender for £4 million. Yet to play in the first team, but still has lots of potential.
2026
Dico
An exciting attacking midfielder, signed for £300k. Still only 19 and out on loan.
Cesar Gonzalez
Uruguayan striker who cost £2 million. He has broken into the first team and rotates semi regularly, playing 35 games and scoring 16 goals.
Andres Garcia
An example of where it goes wrong. Signed for £1million from Colombia, this player was set to go into the first team after spending time on loan, except he was impatient and didn’t believe me when I told him he would be playing regularly, turned down the new contract (and big release clause) and left for £2 million.
Sebastian Riggio
High potential Argentine central midfielder. Signed for £2.5 million. Highly rated by the coaches, but not the type of player I like in central midfield, more of a defensive midfielder, but possibly a central defender. I have my doubts and he will probably be sold. Currently valued at £10.5 million.
Ivan Molina
A possible superstar striker amongst a group of superstar strikers. Signed for £625k and spending time away on loan. Aged 20, his time may come.
Oscar Galmerini
Wonderkid Argentine central midfielder. Signed for £2 million but has the potential to be as good as any in the world. Currently on loan.
Jonathan Suarez
Another example of it not working out. Signed for £250k, sold for £160k, This Colombian central defender did not settle and was causing dressing room chaos. I had to let him go.
James Assia
Another central midfielder with massive potential. Signed for £800k he is currently in the first team squad, playing 7 games and scoring 1 goal.
Alfredo Perez
A Colombian wonder kid goalkeeper. He cost £625k, is valued at £6.25 million and on loan at Sporting Gijon. He may already be better than Onana, who has had little luck when it comes to the competition around him.
Eduardo Hickman
Left back signed for £575k. He is 18 years old and currently in the first team squad.
Neymar
The Neymar. His contract expired and I could not resist. Aged 34 and down to 9 pace, he only wanted £16k a week and at worst he could pass on some of his traits to the young players. Still in the squad age 35, he has played 38 games so far and scored 10 goals, mostly being used on the left wing.
Victot Alpizar
A Mexican wonder kid goalkeeper. Currently on loan. As with Perez, he may already be better than Onana. Within a season or two someone is going to win out. Or someone will have their release clause activated.
2027
Demerson Bruno
A central midfielder who is already world class and only 21. Signed for £26 million he has only played 7 games so far.
Aurelio Paulo
A right sided player who cost £12 million. Exceptional potential at 21 years old.
Those represent the transfer trials and tribulations over nine seasons. Certain patterns emerge regards release clauses when playing in Brazil, while the AI teams do not make low ball offers quite as much, this may be because they don’t have to. It quite clearly works in my favour as well and plays a role in the huge profits the club has made.
At present Flamengo have £658 million in the bank and my transfer budget is £528 million. According to my history I have signed 98 players for £741 million and sold 108 players for £1.35 billion.
The aim of the save is to get Lincoln to his 1000+ goals. At the end of this season he will be 27, so there may be another 10 seasons of transfer dealing to come. Who knows how much I will have made by then?