Transfermarkt: Max Ropers on Financial Fair Play and power games

During the summer break, the transfer carousel spins at a frantic pace. Not a day goes by without rumors. Football insider Max Ropers (32) has been studying this very special market for many years. The Hamburg native has written a book about it and draws parallels between player transfers and buying a used Mercedes.

Mr. Ropers, this year, FIFA opened an extra transfer window for the 32 participants in the Club World Cup. A market revolution?

No. The Club World Cup only takes place every four years, so this special incentive only affects one in eight transfer windows. However, I find it remarkable how some clubs pay high transfer fees for two average-level games. Congratulations to FC Bayern for having Jonathan Tah play in the 10-0 win against Auckland. FIFA is pushing its own agenda and wants the World Cup to be as valuable as possible from a sporting perspective. Will this have a lasting impact on the market? I'm skeptical.

The subtitle of your book is "Why the transfer market captivates us football fans." What fascinates you about it?

I'm fascinated that it fascinates so many people. I used to buy the newspaper a day late on holiday to see what the latest news was about Paolo Guerrero (who moved from Munich to Hamburger SV in 2006, editor's note). When Maradona came to Naples in 1984, the city's newsagents were sold out day after day. Finally, you can be independent of the result on the pitch, where so much is now expected. The transfer market is full of uncertainty and suspense, and there's sometimes something irrational about it. That turns fans on. Anticipation breeds enthusiasm. Harry Kane's transfer was more exciting than watching him play now. Leroy Sané is unlikely to spark the same euphoria as he did at his performance at Galatasaray, even if he completely convinces on the pitch.

Darling of the Tifosi: The transfer of Diego Armando Maradona is causing a stir in Naples.

Source: imago images/Buzzi

How does a typical transfer work?

The driving force is the consultants. They're in daily contact with managers all year round. Consultants optimize careers, managers optimize their squads. You need each other. It almost makes no sense for a club representative to call another club directly anymore. It's a confusing market where the strongest currency is your network. And people who trust you. Because a lot of nonsense is talked. It's a down-to-earth industry, where appointments aren't announced and secretaries aren't involved. You have to call or get in your car and discuss things.

“We’re offering 10 million for Xhaka.” Really?

Sure (laughs). "Ten million, you've got to be kidding me!" Even in that tone. Many of them aren't exactly silly. A bit like in the used car business, where things get a bit loud sometimes, where people say things that are quickly dismissed. There are modern contract structures and law firms that are brought in, but the core of the business is rather old-school. If you just write emails and wait for a reply, you won't have much success. It's a dog-eat-dog industry.

Many use intermediaries...

Yes, especially internationally. There are simply barriers. Language barriers or barriers of trust. If Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had traveled to Italy for secret negotiations, everyone would have put two and two together. He played there himself. So others are sent.

Sold to Leverkusen, but long since promised to Bayern: Michael Ballack was one of the most sought-after footballers in the world in 2002.

Source: imago/Uwe Kraft

You also write about further agreements. Some players are already resold when they just joined a club. The public never hears about it. Keyword: Michael Ballack.

In 2002, he was one of the best footballers in the world and moved to Bayern for just €6 million. His agent, Michael Becker, had this clause included in his contract when he moved to Leverkusen, which could only be activated by Bayern. This is common practice. It made sense for Leverkusen, otherwise they wouldn't have signed him in 1999. Serge Gnabry's transfer from Arsenal to Werder Bremen in 2016 is another example. People thought, "Huh?! Why is he only going to Bremen?" It was a clear statement that he would be moving to Munich a year later. If Bayern had approached Arsenal directly, they would have had to pay double.

Financial Fair Play: Manchester City, Paris, and Barcelona violated the rules, but got off lightly. Smaller clubs from Turkey and Romania were excluded from competitions. How can this be explained?

Paris, with its city, its stars, and its money: UEFA has a financial interest in ensuring the Champions League is watched by as many people as possible. PSG is the club with the fourth most followers (199 million across all social networks). The competition is more valuable when PSG is involved... It's a game of the rich and powerful.

The little ones are the pawns?

Exactly, perhaps Financial Fair Play simply wasn't well thought out. The big clubs need each other so they can provide each other with players. Because no other club can afford them anymore.

Info: The book “Deadline Day” was published by Ullstein Paperback.