Transfer Hijacks: How Premier League Clubs Steal Deals at the Final Moment

When a 'Done Deal' Isn't Really Done

In Premier League transfer windows, few phrases are more dangerous than “almost agreed”. Until a contract is signed, a medical is complete and the club announcement is made, every transfer remains vulnerable to a last-minute hijack. Clubs employ scouts, agents, and legal teams to monitor rival negotiations, ready to pounce when a deal stalls over personal terms, agent fees, or medical concerns.

The Anatomy of a Hijack

A typical hijack unfolds in three stages. First, the pursuing club identifies a player whose current transfer is not fully sealed. Second, they make a late, improved offer—either higher wages for the player or a better fee for the selling club. Third, they exploit any delay or dissatisfaction. The selling club may prefer a higher bid, the player may be tempted by a bigger contract or a more prestigious club, and the original buyer suddenly faces losing their target.

For example, in 2023, Chelsea hijacked Mykhailo Mudryk from under Arsenal’s nose. Arsenal had agreed a fee with Shakhtar Donetsk and personal terms with the player, but Chelsea swooped in with a larger offer and more lucrative wages. Mudryk ultimately chose Stamford Bridge. Such moves are now common, especially in the final days of the window when pressure mounts.

Tactical and Financial Implications

For the hijacking club, the benefits are clear: they acquire a player they had scouted and desired, often without a prolonged negotiation process. For the original buyer, the impact is severe. They have invested time and resources, only to see their target slip away. This can force them into panic buys, paying over the odds for alternative targets.

Tactically, a hijacked player may have been central to the manager’s plans. Missing out can disrupt pre-season preparations and force a tactical reassessment. For instance, if a winger was expected to provide width in a 4-3-3 formation, his absence might require a shift to a 4-2-3-1 with a different style of attacking midfielder.

Fee Flexibility: Hijacking clubs often pay a premium—sometimes 10-15% more than the original agreed fee.
Wage Structure Disruption: Offering higher wages to hijack a player can destabilise the existing wage structure.
Agent Relationships: Agents may leverage hijacks to drive up commissions, complicating future negotiations.

How Clubs Defend Against Hijacks

To prevent hijacks, clubs act quickly to finalise contracts and medicals. Some demand exclusivity periods from selling clubs or include break clauses that penalise the seller if they accept another offer. Others build strong personal relationships with players and agents to ensure loyalty. In high-stakes cases, clubs may even fly players in for medicals before the fee is fully agreed.

Data from the 2024 summer window shows that deals completed within 48 hours of a bid had only a 5% hijack rate, compared to 30% for negotiations lasting over a week. Speed is the best defence.

Historical Precedents

The most famous hijack in recent Premier League history remains Manchester United’s 2021 capture of Jadon Sancho before Manchester City could act. But hijacks are not new. In 2015, Manchester United hijacked Anthony Martial from Monaco after Arsenal had lined him up. Each case illustrates the ruthless nature of modern transfer dealings.

For Premier League clubs, the transfer window is a battlefield where no deal is safe until the ink is dry. Managers, sporting directors, and fans alike must be prepared for twists that can reshape a club’s entire season in a matter of hours.

What’s Next

As the 2025 summer window approaches, expect more hijack dramas. With Financial Fair Play constraints loosening and elite clubs flush with revenue, the race to finalise deals quickly will intensify. The clubs that move fastest—and guard their intentions most carefully—will emerge victorious. Those that pause risk losing their top target to a rival willing to strike at the final moment.

For fans, every “done deal” report should be viewed with caution until the club’s official announcement drops. In the Premier League, nothing is certain until it’s signed, sealed, and delivered.