With the recent revelations from Luton manager, Mike Newell, about agents playing both clubs and offering 'bungs' as sweeteners in transfer deals, the role of players agents have been brought into question again.
Do they really have that much power over players and clubs? An agent is meant to have the best interests of the player at heart, but are they just in it for themselves and not care about the players future.
Let me provide a recent example for you, one of Villa's young starlets Wayne Henderson has been on loan for the first part of this season at Brighton and Hove Albion, and it now seems a permenant deal is imminent with the Seagulls. A fee has been agreed between Villa and Brighton, as has the personal terms for the young irishman. However, the stumbling block appears to be the agents fee, and the agent is holding out for a cash sum that the south coast club just can't afford.
(Information curtosy of ICBirmingham)As much as I think Henderson is a good prospect for the future, it would surely be better for him in the long run to play first team football in the lower leagues to continue his development.
Is this a isolated case, I doubt it and if it turns out that Henderson's deal falls through, it may be good for the reserves to have 2 good keepers at their disposal, but Henderson's career will continue to be held back.
If it isn't an isolated case, think what other talent in top clubs are being held back. We could be losing out on potential world cup winners of the future.
A bit melodramatic perhaps, but it is a possibility.
