Football Agent Scouting Checklist
Evaluate scouting reports and make better signings
Use this checklist when evaluating scouting reports in Football Agent to make more informed signing decisions.
Pre-scouting checklist
Before sending a scout, confirm:
- You have budget for the scouting mission cost
- You have a scout available (not already on a mission)
- The target league is accessible via your current network
- You have at least 8 weeks of operating costs in reserve
Report evaluation criteria
When reviewing a scouting report, evaluate each player on:
Potential rating (most important)
- Potential 80+ — elite prospect, prioritise if interest level permits
- Potential 70–79 — solid development candidate, good value
- Potential 60–69 — niche opportunity, may require longer development
- Potential below 60 — generally not worth the signing investment
Age
- 17–21 — maximum development runway
- 22–25 — good development window, some ceiling already set
- 26+ — limited development, sign for immediate value rather than growth
Interest level
- High (60%+) — straightforward signing path
- Medium (30–60%) — workable but requires effort
- Low (below 30%) — avoid unless you have a specific strategy
Contract status
- Free agent — cheapest to sign
- Contract expiring within 6 months — good value, act before expiry
- Long contract remaining — expensive, only viable for high-potential players
Estimated value vs your budget
- Player value within your signing budget — viable target
- Player value exceeds budget — consider negotiating lower commission or deferring
Decision framework
Sign immediately
Potential 75+, age 17–22, high interest, free agent or short contract: pursue immediately.
Scout again
Potential 70+, age 17–25, medium interest, moderate contract: run a second longer scout mission to verify potential before committing to a long negotiation.
Do not pursue
Potential below 65, any age with low interest, or long contract with low potential: pivot to another target.
Related guides
- How to Scout — practical scouting strategies
- How to Sign Clients — converting scouts to signings
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
What potential rating makes a player worth signing?
A potential rating of 70+ is generally considered the minimum for a viable signing. Potential 75+ players are worth prioritising if interest and contract terms permit.
Should I scout every player on a shortlist?
No. Prioritise by potential rating first. Run detailed (long-duration) scouting missions only on players who meet your minimum potential threshold to conserve scouting budget.