From Get French Football News:- The brother of Nantes forward Randal Kolo Muani (22) is trying to insert himself into negotiations, telling existing agents that he wants 80% to their 20% of fees. 9 different agents/family members/reps turned up to a negotiation with Southampton recently - per @Romain_Molina.
What does it mean 80% to their 20%. Does it mean he wants to take 80% of the 20% for a 16:4 split? Or that the fees need to go up from 20% to 80% (of what ?)
His hangers-on want to get 80% of the agent fees, with the actual agents getting 20%. The system of 'agent' (where family members, acquaintances, and the player's shih tzu all somehow contrive to get paid as agents) fees is completely, utterly broken, and standardizing the fee schedule (if it's even possible to do so under UK/EU law) would solve an awful lot of the problems people have with transfer dealings. I've said it multiple times before: agents in most sports receive a cut from the player, of the player's earnings, rather than getting paid out when the player changes teams or getting a flat fee when the player signs a new deal, and the fact that agents get paid in that fashion in football creates an incentive toward constant player movement.
Agents need to stop this practice. If the family members and friends want a large cut of their commission which they earnt they need to refuse to represent the player. 80% of the agents commission is outrageous for doing nothing but an agent shouldn't get a commission if they didn't represent either the selling or buying clubs in the transfer. I would imagine this player won't be coming to Saints.
Not going to be coming to Saints then, good luck building a career if it comes with that level of unprofessional baggage. Although I imagine pressure from his family is probably unbearable if they are that way inclined.
Why, because he chose to go to a club with some of the best youth facilities in the world? I've seen their academy set up and it is incredible. I can't really blame him.
No don't blame him at all. I'll try and remember the name and follow his career with some interest. Hope he does well but at 15, I'd be more interested in a club where I have a decent chance of getting a shot at first team football. Even if it is a stepping stone to better things. At City he may 'do a Foden' or he may disappear into obscurity. And as a Saints fan I would want to see youngsters who are grateful for an opportunity of a scholarship. After all there must have been a reason he came to us in the first place.
You're saying that because you're a Saints fan. Most 15 year olds would jump at the chance at joining City's academy. Even if he doesn't make it at City the coaching he'll get there will surely help rather than hinder his career. Look at Sancho. Joined City at the same age. Left City a few years later to play first team football. He's now a superstar at 21.
When kids jump to our Academy from other clubs, do you call them selfish mercenaries as well, or is it solely a one-way street?
Maybe Saints should invest some more in Staplewood? The facilities always seemed a bit underwhelming for the cost the of the development.
Mostly, we probably need to have a period where our Academy setup does not generate stories about its sheer dysfunction, followed by one with multiple Academy players becoming significant first-team contributors. Players are, sensibly, going to go to the places which they feel will most benefit their careers; we need to be such a place again. We've had some success luring players who were unlikely to break through with their former clubs (Tella, Simeu, Obafemi, etc), but we really need to reestablish the Academy as a place that can develop players from age 12 to the Premier League.
No, you said that he's full of himself and someone we're better off without. Which is worse, honestly. And a really silly inference.