A record total of 5,973 international transfers were documented during the January window for men’s soccer, as per a FIFA report published on Thursday.
This represents a 3% rise from the previous year in global transactions between clubs in the nations overseen by FIFA.
– January transfer window: Grading big signings in men’s soccer
Nonetheless, the overall expenditure decreased by approximately 18% compared to last year’s peak, totaling $1.95 billion (£1.44B). This figure is still about 20% higher than the prior record set in January 2023, according to FIFA.
In women’s soccer, clubs allocated over $10 million (£7.38M) for international transfers, marking an 85% increase from the previous record a year earlier, while the count of international transfers fell by 6% to 420.
English clubs once again led in spending with a total of $363 million (£268M) on transfer fees, while recouping only $150 million (£111M) from player sales to clubs abroad. Italy ranked second with $283 million (£209M), followed by Brazil, Germany, and France in the top five.
French clubs gained the most, earning $218 million (£161M) from transfer sales, with Italy, Brazil, England, and Spain following.
In the United States, clubs invested $99 million (£73M) and received $48 million (£35M) in transfer fees, according to the FIFA analysis.
English women’s clubs also led in expenditure, surpassing $5 million (£3.69M), and were the top earners as well.
