English clubs spent 80% less on international transfers compared to their record spending in January 2023, a FIFA report released on Tuesday said.
FIFA said the total number of international transfers across men’s and women’s football — meaning players who moved from one country to another — increased to a record 5,073, but English clubs were uncharacteristically measured in their spending.
English clubs’ restraint on spending has been heavily linked to the Premier League’s enforcement of Profit and Sustainability rules (PSR) that has seen Everton face a 10-point deduction, as well as an additional charge alongside Nottingham Forest.
Outside of England, spending was mostly unaffected. FIFA said the total amount spent on international transfer fees amounted to $1.46 billion — a reduction of 8.2% compared to last January — although it still marked as the second-highest total in any January window in history.
French clubs spent the most last month after an outlay of $291.9 million.
However, English clubs’ cautious spending did not translate into the women’s game, with Chelsea signing forward Mayra Ramírez from Levante for a world-record fee in the region of €450,000 ($485,000) with a further potential €50,000 in add-ons.
FIFA also said women’s football saw record spending of $2.1m, two-and-a-half times larger than last year.
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