The landscape of elite football transfers is shifting, with a new generation of agents demonstrating their ability to broker major deals, challenging the long-standing dominance of established agencies. Recent high-profile moves, such as Morgan Rogers' £117 million transfer to Chelsea and Ollie Watkins' switch to Saudi Arabia, highlight the growing influence of these emerging powerbrokers.
Traditionally, record-breaking transfers were associated with globally recognized agents and their large firms. However, this past summer has illustrated that smaller, more focused agencies can also secure significant player movements. Footwork Management, for instance, managed Morgan Rogers' move from Aston Villa to Chelsea, having represented him since his youth career. Sam Kohansal, owner of Footwork, emphasized the importance of a dedicated team and meticulous planning in navigating complex deals.
"A deal like Morgan takes time," Kohansal stated. "It’s calls, meetings, travelling to games. You need a dedicated team and the knowledge to put it together. The biggest agencies have big client lists and some players will not receive the attention they might want."
Kohansal described Footwork's approach as "boutique," deliberately avoiding an extensive client roster to ensure personalized attention for players. "Every move he has had has been carefully planned with his career at the heart of it," he added.
While newer firms gain prominence, major agencies like CAA Stellar, with David Manasseh at the helm, continue to be significant players, brokering deals such as Elliot Anderson's £116 million transfer to Manchester City. Jorge Mendes' Gestifute and Wasserman Media Group, now rebranded as 'The Team,' also remain influential. ROOF, a relative newcomer, recently signed Morgan Gibbs-White.
Mendes himself has been noted for his informal involvement in high-level negotiations, including facilitating AC Milan's sales this summer and playing a role in Rafael Leao’s transfer to Galatasaray. His trusted relationship with Aston Villa manager Unai Emery also saw him involved in Ibrahim Mbaye's move from Paris Saint-Germain to Villa.
Complex deals involving significant fees require intricate negotiations covering contract length, image rights, and commercial opportunities. Kohansal highlighted the necessity of careful risk management and collaboration, stating, "It’s about limiting the risks as much as you can. If you do it the right way and don’t play teams off against each other, you’ll get the deal done. With Morgan, we were not interested in an auction."
Two Touch Agency, another medium-sized firm, handled Ollie Watkins' transfer from Aston Villa to Al Hilal. Paolo Vernazza, a former Arsenal youth player, was the representative involved in that transaction.
Despite the rise of new agencies, established firms are expected to continue attracting a majority of top talent. However, the successes of players like Rogers, Michael Olise, and Watkins demonstrate that a diverse range of representatives can effectively manage high-stakes careers in professional football.