Can you remember when...

[Donnyjim]

We used to buy players?   

[newyankee]

 The buying of players except at the higher level of the game went out with the Bosman ruling re Free Agency.  Now players over a certain age wait to become free agents and then leave it to their agents to negotiate a deal.

   In many cases ( due to the agents) the players get big signing bonuses and high wages. The team does not pay a transfer fee for the player, but a free agent is still not FREE.

   The other anomoly is the number of players on the books of Premier League teams who, to be honest, in many cases will never make the first team, are allowed to go out on loan to lower division clubs. Usually the PL side subsidises the wages while the loan as long as the loan lasts.