Transfer news: What’s happening in medical football?

A player does not pass or “fail” the medical test, but only completes it before joining a new club.

It is then up to the purchasing club to decide whether signing the player in question is worth any risk in the event of any imbalance in results.

Think of it a little like buying a house. Buyers will receive a questionnaire, and evaluate whether to complete the purchase based on the results.

Like a house sweep, if a manager or team is determined to sign a player, they can do so despite any issues with the medical test.

Dr Charlotte Cowie, who was previously in charge of medical departments at Tottenham and Fulham, told BBC News that medical teams never “make or break” a player.

“One player’s failure is another man’s pass. It really depends on where the player is injured, what the manager and club want from that player and what it will cost him,” Dr Cowie said. “It’s a risk-benefit analysis.”

There have been occasions when results came back with problems, preventing action.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was due to join Manchester United in 2000, but his transfer was delayed after he passed a medical. The Dutchman suffered a tear in his anterior cruciate ligament within a week of the deal being postponed.

Then Peterborough United striker George Boyd’s move to Nottingham Forest in 2013 fell through after an eye test came back ‘inconclusive’. Despite the result, Boyd continued playing elsewhere.

In 2024, Kurt Zouma’s proposed move to UAE side Shabab Al Ahli collapsed after the West Ham defender failed a medical.