Salah, Vlahovic and the others: never so many luxury free agents. There is
Secondo Tuttomercatoweb.
Context
Dusan Vlahovic, a talented striker, is one of the most prominent names among free agents. His contractual situation could influence the transfer strategies of Serie A teams, in particular Juventus, Inter and Milan, who could try to strengthen their squads with high-level players like him.
Why it matters
The phenomenon of luxury free agents, such as Dusan Vlahovic and Mohamed Salah, highlights the economic challenges that Serie A clubs face. With the introduction of limits by UEFA, clubs must reconsider their transfer strategies, influencing purchasing decisions and negotiations. This scenario could change the dynamics of the market, with potential repercussions on the teams' performances next season.
Key points
- Salah, Vlahovic and the others: never so many luxury free agents. There is.
- The article discusses the phenomenon of luxury free agents, analyzing the reasons behind their situation and the economic implications in modern football.
- Salah, Vlahovic and the others: never so many luxury free agents. There's a reason. The lesson of Baresi and Bergomi: another.
The free transfer is no longer zero, so even established champions remain without a contract in August, with the season now upon us. We call them free agents but, if they weren't footballers and didn't earn millions of euros, the correct term would be unemployed. We won't go so far as to propose Naspi for Dusan Vlahovic or Mohamed Salah, two excellent names from a rather incredible list, but it is singular that on August 5th - with the new season significantly closer than the one concluded - the list of players who could reach zero is so rich, at least with sensational names. Besides Momo and Dusan, there are people like Leon Goretzka, Jadon Sancho, Yves Bissouma, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Dani Ceballos, Raphael Guerreiro and so on. Everyone has their own story, specific reasons can be found for each one, the World Cup certainly delays the transfer window and maybe someone will get married in the meantime that you read this editorial. It is difficult, however, not to think that there is at least a slightly deeper reason, if in August, which has already begun, someone who - perhaps nearing the end of the season or returning from an uninspiring season - should have no difficulty in finding a team is found without a contract.
The point is that the “zero” of parameter zero no longer exists. Europe, i.e. UEFA, also contributed, introducing a limit of 70% in the ratio between the cost of the squad and turnover: those costs do not only include the player's salary, which in fact has become a not exactly marginal, but no longer so relevant, part of the issue. When AC Milan let Gianluigi Donnarumma and Hakan Calhanoglu go to zero a few years ago, many criticized the Rossoneri club. And, for goodness sake, specifically they were two farewells that were not exactly painless, on a technical level. But the golden times of zero parameters are far away, because in the meantime the players have increasingly become multinationals, bandwagons that bring with them a lot of ancillary expenses.
The Vlahovic case, from this point of view, is emblematic. Maybe Dusan hopes that sooner or later Juventus will call him back, and for this reason he will focus on other solutions - those that have been presented so far were not so brilliant -, but he certainly brings with him commissions and additional costs. Growing more and more over the years: in 2025, Italian clubs - mostly those in Serie A - paid 299 million euros into the pockets of agents. From 2020 to today, 1.3 billion have gone to prosecutors. It is a very high figure and, let's be clear: agents are absolutely not the evil of football. Their multiplication, and the presence of intermediaries even in many negotiations in which it is simply not clear why an intermediary is needed, has, however, caused the costs of the so-called zero parameters to increase exponentially, which often, due to their status, raise the stakes in terms of engagement. If we then add the commissions to the salary, and to the commissions we add the various signing bonuses, the zero transfer has become in all respects comparable to a player purchased on the market. Which, however, for the same value, generally maintains a lower annual cost - because it asks for a less bombastic salary - and, due to this lower salary, it then becomes more easily resold.
A cat chasing its tail, combined with the existence of markets that "drug", at least from our point of view, prices (Premier League and Saudi Arabia, but also Turkey, where Salah should end up shortly), only to then turn out to be potential golden prisons. The result: luxury unemployed, they were happy... There were many Inter scarves at Franco Baresi's funeral. In a sea of red and black, as it should be, no one had any objections to those black and blue specks. Beppe Bergomi, who had supported him as torchbearer in Milan Cortina, read the first reading. On the pitch they were lifelong opponents, except in the national team, where they had strengthened their friendship: they were the youngest in 1982, they spent a lot of time together and have always continued to do so. Despite the flags of two rival clubs, and after all another Baresi, Beppe, was also a symbol of Inter. Personal and family stories which, however, can serve as a lesson to us: what was there before is not always better, nostalgia for the past is a feeling that is easy to give in to, but which often forgets the steps forward made over time. But football before was more civilized, and for this reason it was easier to love. Over the years - everyone chooses their own starting point - football has become brutal. Inflated by social controversy, it has become a divisive topic: today fans ask their players (who, thank goodness, don't always do so) to hate each other, not to face each other. You play against your opponent, forgetting that in reality you play football with your opponent: it's not a grammatical refinement, it's the hidden essence behind the fact that, without an opponent - and not an enemy - there couldn't be the most beautiful sport in the world. A little uglier, or brute, if everything becomes conspiracy and you only think about how to hate better.
What happens now
With the Serie A season approaching, it is likely that some of these freed players will find new accommodations, while others may continue to look for opportunities. Negotiations could intensify, especially for high-profile players like Vlahovic, who are attracting the attention of several clubs. The choices made now could have a significant impact on the teams' lineups and their competitiveness in the championship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened with the freed players?
As of August 5, many high-profile footballers, including Dusan Vlahovic and Mohamed Salah, are without contracts despite the imminent start of the new season.
Who confirmed that there are many luxury free agents?
The article discusses the current situation of freed players, highlighting well-known names such as Vlahovic and Salah.
Why are there so many players without contracts now?
The situation is influenced by the market delay caused by the World Cup and by new UEFA rules which limit the cost of the squad compared to the turnover.
What changes have led to this situation of free agents?
The introduction of a 70% limit on the ratio of squad cost to turnover has made it more difficult for clubs to keep players without contracts.
Who are some of the high-profile footballers mentioned in the article?
In addition to Dusan Vlahovic and Mohamed Salah, the article also mentions Leon Goretzka, Jadon Sancho, Yves Bissouma, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Dani Ceballos and Raphael Guerreiro.
