Premier League Transfers: Why Some Fees Remain Undisclosed and Other Transfer Questions Explained

Question: Why do some clubs choose not to reveal transfer fees? – Andrew, New Forest

Answer: Clubs often keep transfer fees secret to avoid revealing their spending strategies. This way, rival teams cannot gauge how much money a club has used or how much is left to reinvest in new players. Although nowadays many fees leak through agents or other sources, the official figures sometimes remain private.

Sometimes, when transfers involve foreign clubs listed on stock exchanges like Lyon or Juventus, those clubs must report the exact sums publicly. Meanwhile, the English club involved may still label the fee as undisclosed, even though the details become known eventually.

Understanding Homegrown Player Rules

Question: What qualifies a player as homegrown? – Unnamed question

Answer: A player is considered homegrown if they have spent three full seasons or 36 months registered with any English or Welsh club before turning 21. The period can end at the close of the season in which they turn 21.

This rule applies regardless of nationality or birthplace. For example, Chelsea striker Joao Pedro, born in São Paulo, joined Watford at 18 and counts as homegrown under these terms. This differs from UEFA’s definition, which only counts time between ages 15 and 21.

Question: Doesn’t the homegrown rule exclude some English players who trained abroad? – Mike, Bath

It does. It depends on where the player received their football education, not their nationality. Eric Dier was classed as non-homegrown because he spent less than three years at an English club before age 21, despite being English-born and having played for England.

Conversely, Noni Madueke trained at Crystal Palace and Tottenham academies for around seven years before moving to PSV Eindhoven, so he qualifies as homegrown.

Question: How is Jeremie Frimpong homegrown if he’s Dutch and plays for the Netherlands? – Daniel, Derby

Because Frimpong spent nine years in Manchester City’s academy from 2010 to 2019, he meets the criteria to be considered homegrown despite his birthplace and international allegiance.

How Sell-On Fees Work in Transfers

Question: When a sell-on fee is included in a deal, who pays it and how? Also, if payments are staggered, does the sell-on fee follow the same pattern? – Nick, Brentford

Answer: Suppose Team A sells a player to Team B for £5m, then Team B later sells that player to Team C for £20m. If there is a 10% sell-on fee, it usually applies to the profit (£15m), meaning Team A would get £1.5m.

The sell-on fee is typically paid alongside the transfer installments. So if Team C pays the £20m in four parts, Team B pays the £1.5m in four parts to Team A, but only after receiving each payment. This is standard but can vary depending on contract terms.

Sometimes Team A might negotiate for immediate payment of the sell-on fee, potentially accepting a slightly reduced amount.

More Transfer Window Questions Answered

• What are the rules around player swaps during the transfer window?
• Why is the EFL Cup scheduled on weekends?
• What new financial regulations must Premier League clubs follow?
• What changes have been made to Fantasy Premier League for the 2026-27 season?