By Martin Graham
A total of 5,973 cross-border player moves were completed during the January transfer window in men’s football, according to figures released by FIFA on Thursday.
This record represents a three percent increase compared to the same window a year earlier, reflecting greater movement between clubs based in different nations.
These offers only cover transactions that go through FIFA’s international system and do not take into account player transfers that occur within the same domestic league.
Spending is down despite the high volume
Although activity increased, overall financial spending decreased. Clubs worldwide paid an estimated $1.95 billion in transfer fees, which is roughly 18 percent less than the all-time high set last year.
Even with this reduction, the amount invested was still 20% above the previous January benchmark from 2023, FIFA noted.
The contrast between the increase in the number of deals and the drop in spending suggests a busier but more cost-conscious market during the winter window.
The women’s game shows strong financial growth
In women’s soccer, international transfer fees topped $10 million, an 85 percent jump from the previous record set a year ago.
Despite the increase in spending, the number of cross-border moves in the women’s game fell by six percent, with a total of 420 transactions.
As with the men’s data, FIFA’s assessment excluded transfers between clubs operating within the same country.
England leads the financial tables
England-based teams again accounted for the highest transfer spend, spending $363 million on players arriving from overseas.
These same clubs generated $150 million through sales to foreign teams, leaving a considerable net deficit in international dealings.
Italy ranked second in spending at $283 million, while Brazil, Germany and France rounded out the top five spending countries.
Sellers profit in several leagues
French teams emerged as the biggest earners, collecting $218 million from outgoing transfers to foreign clubs.
Italian and Brazilian teams followed closely behind, with England and Spain also among the top exporters of talent.
Across the Atlantic, US clubs invested $99 million and received $48 million in international sales, according to FIFA figures.
In the women’s market, organizations in England also topped the spending list, committing more than $5 million to incoming players.
In addition, they topped the earnings table, bringing the highest return on international transfers.
This dual leadership underlined England’s prominent financial role on both sides of the global game during the January window.
