Former Premier League goalkeeper Ben Foster has revealed the intricacies of what unfolds when a player moves on a free transfer.
Foster, who returned from retirement to join Wrexham in 2023, played a pivotal role in the Welsh team’s promotion to the Football League with a crucial penalty save against Notts County.
Known for his podcast “Fozcast,” where he delves into behind-the-scenes aspects of football, Foster previously disclosed a secret website Nike athletes use to order the latest boots.
Leveraging his firsthand experience, he now breaks down the dynamics between Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappé, who appears poised to sign on a free transfer.
“Let me dispel a myth about free transfers because everyone says, ‘Why don’t you sign him, he’s on a free transfer,'” Foster explained.
“The reality is quite different. This one is crazy (Mbappe to Real Madrid) because it is going to be ridiculously expensive. First off, let’s talk about wages because Mbappe will argue that since you aren’t paying a transfer fee for me, you will compensate with higher wages,” Foster elaborated.
“We’re talking £750,000 a week just to start, and that’s before factoring in bonuses,” he continued. Additionally, Mbappe’s agent stands to benefit substantially from the free transfer.
“The amount of money they will pay Mbappe in bonuses will be astronomical, and his agent will also seek significant compensation. His agent might say to Real Madrid, ‘We could take Mbappe to Arsenal or Liverpool, but I’m bringing him to you, so I want £50m,'” Foster detailed.
“That’s exactly how it will unfold, mark my words,” he concluded.
