Quick question about the transfer fees you pay after a player plays a number of matches. I've never actually paid for a player this way...

I offered a team about $6 mil upfront for a player, and it was accepted. (contract negotiations broke down then)
When I offered a team $1 mil upfront, and some $6m for a player after 30 appearances, I got a counter offer....
for about 8 mil upfront with the same number after appearances. I thought this was too much, so I gave them a cash only deal, and then they returned with a counter offer of $7.25 mil. Much less than with the appearance fees.

Does the fee after a number of matches count as part of the upfront fee? Or is it separate, like the per-month fees? ...Or am I just really unlucky? At this rate, I don't see the point in them...

It's a seperate fee. Say the deal is £5m up front and £2m after 20 appearances. You will pay £5m when the deal is goes through, and thenm when the player plays 20 games, you will pay another £2m.

Hmm, ok, thanks. Not much use if the AI seemingly ignores them though...?

Well you see it can be a way of quickly signing new players even if you don't have the money. Only problem is you will send your team into debt if you don't have the cash when the x amount of games are up.

Thing I have noticed is that you can actually get away with it. I bought a top player in for $0 upfront and $15 Mill after 50 appearences. I played him for 48 appearences then sold him and didn't have to pay a thing.. Potentially you could do it for your team while you build up a stronger squad but it would mean a lot of chop changing..