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- October 21, 20268°
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- October 21, 20268°
Ali Barat, the unseen architect of the transfer market
Our report covers Ali Barat's role in the transfer network spanning from Nicolas Jackson to Caicedo and Huijsen, his boutique agency model, and working style.
Ali Barat, whose name is frequently mentioned behind major transfers in European football, stands out as one of the most influential agents in recent years. With his calm demeanor, meticulous work, and a model focused on a small pool of players, he has increased his influence at the center of negotiations without being visible.
One of the most cited examples in Barat's career was Nicholas Jackson. After watching a short video of Jackson, who caught his attention at a young age on a dirt field in Senegal, Barat quickly took action, personally knocking on the player's door and taking on his management.
Highlights
- Ali Barat has been influential in major transfers in recent years.
- He considers the Nicolas Jackson case one of the toughest deals in his career.
- He founded a small and selective agency called Epic 22.
- Relationship management, preparation, and long-term planning are at the core of his working style.
- Barat lives in Abu Dhabi and sees the connections he has established with clubs as decisive in his career.
The Jackson case
Jackson first went on trial at Benfica, but the club did not complete the transfer, saying the young player was not stronger than those already in the squad. Barat then immediately approached Villarreal. Jackson later had a season in Spain with 12 goals and transferred to Chelsea in 2023 for 37 million euros.
Last summer, Jackson transferred to Bayern Munich for approximately 80 million euros. Barat says the process involving Jackson was the toughest deal in his career and emphasizes that he has maintained his connection with the player.
He has a signature on high-profile transfers
The Iranian agent was also involved recently in the transfers of Huijsen to Real Madrid, Caicedo to Chelsea, Xavi Simons to Tottenham, Dahoud to Brighton, Madueke to Arsenal, Ekitike to Liverpool, Gallagher to Atletico Madrid, and Paez to Chelsea. Paez's move from Independiente del Valle to England is also one of his working files.
Barat, who reportedly managed player traffic worth about 400 million euros last summer, is also said to have played a role in Sardar Azmoun's transfer to Roma in 2023. He was also prominent as an intermediary in Edin Dzeko's move from Manchester City to Roma in 2016.
How does he work?
Barat describes his agency, named Epic 22, as a "boutique" structure. He does not want more than twenty-two players; he believes having two players in the same position is sufficient, allowing him to focus fully on each name.
For him, on-field talent alone is not enough in transfers. He values the trust relationship built with players' families, clubs, and representation processes more than trophies. He says he handles everything individually, from performance, image rights, legal, financial, to logistical details.
Preparation and long-term planning also hold an important place in Barat's career. He explains that he tries to build a sustainable structure rather than short-term moves and argues that the amount only matters if quality is maintained.
Background and working style
Barat, who uses Abu Dhabi as his base, completed his university education in law at University College London. After graduation, he worked in India, China, and the United Arab Emirates; he continues to live in this region today.
At the beginning of his career, the relationships he established around Manchester City, contacts formed during Roberto Mancini's period, and the Edin Dzeko connection were important steps in his rise in football. He also mentions that he was interested in Championship Manager at a young age and tried to understand the logic of football through the game very early on.
Those around Barat describe him as someone who remains calm even in tough negotiations but always tries to conclude the case. His avoidance of media exposure also makes him a name more talked about behind major transfers.
Context: Barat is known as a "boutique" power in the transfer market thanks to the contacts he has established with major clubs and his selective representation model. What sets him apart is focusing on a limited number of cases instead of many players and managing every detail individually.
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