Europe’s big five leagues spent a record $4.21 billion (€3.62 billion) in the summer transfer window, according to a study published on Wednesday by Fifa.
The total amount of money spent by clubs in England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France was up 6.6% on the $3.95 billion spent in the same transfer window last year.
The English Premier League unsurprisingly contributed more than any other league, but while its 20 clubs spent a combined $1.44 billion, the increase in spending was greatest in Italy, where it was up almost 75%.
That was fuelled to a large extent by Cristiano Ronaldo’s 100 million-euro move from Real Madrid to Juventus, while spending by clubs in Spain’s La Liga rose 42.2%. Kylian Mbappe also transferred permanently from Monaco to PSG, with a loan deal structured last summer.
Worldwide, the amount of money spent between June 1 and September 1 hit a record $5.44 billion, as 182 of Fifa’s 211 member associations had their transfer window open.
The results are taken from analysis of Fifa’s own International Transfer Matching System, which registers all completed transfers.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!