For a football club, equity, and money on the books, can be compared directly to the sums for which players can be bought and sold.
Since January 2020, Viking has sold players for around NOK 130 million. The purchase price was a fraction. The result is an enormous improvement in equity. Viking has found itself in a situation where it has had money on its books – although far from all of it has been pure liquid funds.
It also presents some disadvantages. Everyone knows about it. Prices go up when Viking signs up to buy. Wage requirements are also increasing.
However, the benefits are much greater. This winter, Viking has finally reached a position to be able to wait until the terms of the agreement are reasonable. It can also have a self-reinforcing effect if it is handled correctly and the expenses do not add up too much at the same time. This is still fragile.
Most really good trades revolve around the right timing. Three very specific examples in a short time testify to a changed picture.
When Lars-Jørgen Salvesen first said no in January, it was mostly about the fact that he wanted to make an attempt to usurp a role in the club that has revolutionized Norwegian football in recent years. The timing was wrong.
When it dawned on him that there wouldn’t be much playing time, he could just as easily move on. The salve was fully marinated. Fortunately, Viking had both a grill and charcoal ready. The timing was now right.
A few years ago, the club had not acted in a similar situation. The answer to Salvesen’s original no was Nicholas D’Agostino. He did not come for free at all.
In 2022, Viking would have had to say no to Salvesen in the same setting. Where the timing had suddenly become right for the player, it would not have been right for Viking.
Now, instead, Erik Nevland and Eirik Bjørnø could press the green button immediately. They also got the price down somewhat along the way – to a fairly fair sum in today’s market about the information that has leaked votes. The reward was seen immediately on Sunday. Viking has not just one, but two excellent strikers.
The reward was seen immediately on Sunday. Viking has not just one, but two excellent strikers.
— Espen Astor Iversen
There are also several examples of a new everyday life financially this winter;
In the opposite direction, David Brekalo is obvious. A few years ago, the club had to consider, and very likely accepted, a bid of 15–20 million. This winter they could say flatly no. The result is that one of two things will happen. Either Brekalo is sold for a sum that is much higher in the summer or preferably in the winter. If not, Viking gets to keep the series’ best stop, with the value that lies in it sportingly, for the rest of the season.
Again, it was all about timing and money on the books.
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The third example this winter, the one that has really made a new everyday life possible, is of course Daniel Karlsbakk. There, too, Viking gave a clear no – to a Heerenveen bid that sounded more than reasonable. The answer was a doubling and a huge sale. Instead of the club having to manage towards a deficit in 2023, the fourth straight year with a profit is a possibility.
Once again, timing, equity and money on the books were the catalysts for a good deal.
Over time in Norwegian football, it is RBK and Molde that in reality have had such an everyday life. In recent years, Bodø/Glimt has followed suit.
If Viking now hits the trades in and out going forward, and manages the opportunity, there is nothing to suggest that they cannot give themselves prerequisites that move towards more cash-strapped competitors. They still have to manage to balance this. Towards a cost picture that has more than doubled the last five years.
The purchase of Lars-Jørgen Salvesen provides completely different sporting opportunities. A top club needs double coverage in all positions. Viking didn’t quite have it at the top. We all saw the effect against RBK. The latest Viking trade has by a long way fulfilled the “contract” the boards entered into with the coaches after the fade last autumn. Now the trainers have been given the best possible conditions to make this happen.
Many were a little uncertain about this year’s Viking. What was shown in the first home game of the year probably turned many doubters. Victories against RBK automatically increase enthusiasm in Stavanger. This in turn gives higher income potential both on ticket sales and the market.
The timing was, once again, perfect for Viking.