Premier League proposes cap on compensation for EFL academy players

Premier League clubs have approached the EFL with a proposal to cap the compensation fees paid when signing youth academy prospects from lower-division teams, aiming to modernise the financial framework and curb rising costs for domestic talent. The current transfer of young players involves training compensation, appearance-related bonuses and sell-on clauses, with disputes referred to the Professional Football Compensation Committee.

Top-flight clubs want to replace that open-ended system with a strict maximum ceiling, a move critics say could disadvantage smaller community clubs. The push comes amid recruitment changes after the UK’s departure from the EU, which has made it harder to sign under-18 players from the continent and prompted elite clubs to focus more on domestic talent, increasing the value of homegrown prospects.

EFL clubs will discuss the proposal on Wednesday as part of wider talks on youth development; no formal vote is expected then.

United Kingdom

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