Premier League clubs frequently opt not to disclose transfer fees, a tactic aimed at keeping rivals in the dark about their spending and re-investment capabilities. While this practice might seem less impactful in the modern era due to information often emerging from agents or other sources, clubs continue to withhold details.
Even when dealing with overseas clubs listed on the stock market, which are required to disclose exact fees, English clubs may still list deals as undisclosed. This highlights a persistent desire for competitive secrecy within the transfer market.
The definition of a homegrown player in the Premier League is based on their football education, not nationality. A player qualifies if they have been affiliated with any English or Welsh club for three full seasons or 36 months before their 21st birthday. This rule applies regardless of a player's birthplace, as seen with examples like Jeremie Frimpong, who is Dutch but qualifies as homegrown due to his time in Manchester City's academy.
Sell-on fees, which are often included in transfer agreements, typically apply to the profit made on a player's subsequent sale. For instance, if a player is sold for £20m after being bought for £5m, a 10% sell-on clause would yield £1.5m for the original selling club. These fees are usually paid in alignment with the new transfer's instalment plan, meaning the original club receives payment as the selling club does.