The summer transfer window has seen a record 11,000 players worldwide join new clubs in men’s football, with $6.46 billion spent, the ruling body FIFA said on Tuesday.
FIFA said in its International Transfer Snapshot covering June 1 to Sept. 2 that spending was only exceeded in 2023 when 10,490 players moved for $7.43 billion.
Even smaller clubs such as Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, and promoted Ipswich Town were able to spend more than $100 million on new players.
Italy followed with $825 million spent, ahead of France ($697 million), Spain ($599 million), Germany ($572 million), and Saudi Arabia ($431 million), which had splashed out big sums 12 months ago.
Italian clubs spent almost double the $425 million they received for player sales, while French sides generated more with $756 million than they spent.
The biggest summer transfer was the move of Argentina forward Julian Alvarez from Manchester City to Atlético Madrid for around €75 million ($83 million), plus add-ons.
The women’s game meanwhile saw spending more than double from 2023 to a record $6.8 million, with 1,125 players moving also a record, up from 853 last year.
