Zurich: A record 11,000 international transfers were registered worldwide during the 2024 close-season transfer window, marking a 4.8% increase from the previous year, according to a report by FIFA. Despite this surge in transfer activity, the total expenditure on transfer fees reached over $6.40 billion, the second-highest amount ever recorded, although it represents a 13.06% decrease compared to the previous year.
European clubs alone accounted for approximately $5.58 billion of the total spending, with English teams leading the way. English clubs invested more than $1.6 billion in transfer fees during this window. However, England’s spending decreased by 15.5% from $2 billion last year, reflecting a more cautious approach amid concerns over potential sanctions for non-compliance with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations.
Spending by top Saudi Arabian clubs also saw a significant drop, falling by 50.74% from $875 million last year to $431 million this term. The Saudi League’s transfer window remains open until October.
In terms of incoming transfers, England topped the list with 526 transfers, followed by clubs from Brazil and Portugal. Additionally, spending on international transfer fees in women’s professional football reached $6.8 million during the mid-year window, more than doubling from the previous year.
