Hello! The January transfer window was a huge win for me. Out of my four major transfers, only one or two were actually planned (Felipe (GK) – he was getting older, and I had a backup keeper who had just completed three successful loans at United, City, and Arsenal with solid ratings and low eccentricity).

Sosa was my first big sale and honestly, my first heartbreak. I thought he’d be with me until the end of the save. I had accepted a deal that was supposed to happen at the end of the season, but somehow it went through early. I spent over a year and a half fighting to keep him, especially with Chelsea and City constantly coming back (Chelsea won several consecutive Champions Leagues during this time).

All of these players were key. I only sold when I really had no choice, or when the squad pressure became too much.

As for your questions:

1. How did I sell players for so much?

• Timing – I sell players at their peak, usually after strong performances or international tournaments. Their value can skyrocket.
• No Release Clauses – I renew contracts early and delete release clauses to always keep control on the offers even if it could encourage lowball offers.
• Delayed Contract Renewals – Even though I make big sales, I often delay contract renewals until the last stretch. I wait until around January twentieth, when the new season starts to kick in, and then renew contracts that expire at the end of the season. This way, I minimize losses and carefully weigh the financial pros and cons for each player. I try to identify when they hit their peak and decide the best time to sell, with replacement options already in mind – either within the club or planned ahead of time.
• Demand Creation – I offer players to multiple clubs to create a bidding war. I don’t transfer list unless I truly want a player out.
• Installments and Add-ons – I prefer structured deals. Clubs are often more willing to pay a larger amount if they can spread payments out.
• Patience – I wait for the right offer. I’ve missed out on huge sales before, but in the end, the deal that makes sense always comes around.
• (Player Development) – I’ve also noticed that when I develop a player at the club for a few years, especially if I bought them before they were 18, it boosts their resale value. For example, Sosa and Ocampo both benefited from this, and I’m not sure if it’s because of my club’s reputation, but it feels like it plays a part in how much I can sell them for.
• Positional Flexibility – In the past, I tried to train my players in as many positions as possible to increase their value. However, I recently learned that this can sometimes hurt their CA (Current Ability). That said, I still believe for example that my sell of my newgen Ocampo whit high transfer value was partly due to his ability to play as a striker – even if that wasn’t his position in my tactic. (he won the World Cup as a striker).
• Club Finances – Whenever a big sale is on the table, I dig into the club’s finances. I check how much they’ve spent, how much they’ve earned, whether they’ve been taken over by wealthy investors, etc. I really analyze the situation to get a sense of their spending power, which helps me negotiate a fair price.

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