Entering the final month of the Summer Transfer Window for more than 50 nations worldwide (see Transfer Window Tracker), more than 330 attendees held a series of 12-minute one-to-one meetings on 1 August, combining weeks' worth of connections and negotiations into one afternoon of transfer business. 

A total of 49 clubs were attending a TransferRoom Summit for the first time, taking the opportunity to get the edge on the competition and accelerate their summer business on the eve of the European season. 

Although TransferRoom hosted a popular in-person summit in Madrid in June, the Virtual Deal Day was the perfect way for clubs to engage with each other, without the need for intermediaries, at one of the busiest times of the year.

New ground for international clubs

Swiss club FC Lausanne-Sport were among the debutants, having also become TransferRoom members this summer, with the aim of doing business in the loan market with clubs in Europe’s major leagues.

Tony Chauvat, Lausanne’s Chief Scout who works closely with CEO on their transfer business, said: “It was a very rich and interesting day of meetings, with a framework allowing us to collaborate with different clubs and countries. It also offers us the possibility to understand about more players in the transfer market and club structures.”

Egyptian Premier League club El Gounah were also among the first-time attendees, a selection that also included Major League Soccer’s Charlotte FC, Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League and Spanish LaLiga outfit Elche CF. 

El Gounah’s Sporting Director, Houssam El-Zanaty, said: "TransferRoom is a revolution in the football market. It makes a big impact, allowing clubs to showcase their players to all potential buyers. It is a club's best chance to do business in the transfer market."

As well as being a pivotal window of opportunity for fast-paced transfer business, it was an opportunity to broaden the network of key executives in attendance, paving the way for future deals.

French giants Olympique Marseille were also among the attendees with Felipe Saad, Loan Manager and part of the team who brought in two of 2021-22's most successful loan signings in William Saliba and Matteo Guendouzi, adding: "It was a great opportunity to meet new people in countries where I didn't have many contacts."

Makis Livathinos, Head of Scouting at Greek giants Panathinaikos, added: "It's always great to connect with like-minded decision-makers in our industry. These events help put together people who otherwise wouldn't interact. It helps make our world a little smaller."