The FIFA transfer matching system (TMS) this year produced a new document, the “Big 5 Transfer Window Analysis report” covering England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, the major leagues worldwide. FIFA reveals how, since 2013, players have received some 57% of funds, while transfer fees accounted for 41% and club intermediary commissions the remaining 2%.
The report also revealed that 80% of the total amount of salaries committed in the context of international transfers since 2013 can be attributed to the UEFA confederation clubs.
FIFA TMS General Manager Mark Goddard said: “Most of the transfers discussed in the media involve large transfer fees, but in reality, only 13% of all worldwide transfers involve the payment of a fee. Salaries, though, are part of every single contract.
In 2014 alone, clubs and players signed contracts for USD 6.02 billion, which added to the USD 4.07 billion in transfer fees and USD 236 million in intermediaries’ commissions make the total value of these transfers a staggering USD 10.33 billion.”
English clubs spent at least twice as much as any other country on international transfers during the summer of 2015 – $996m, compared to second-place Spain’s $495m.
Nevertheless, British and Spaniards record a negative trend in spending (in turn -2% and -23%), while in the following positions Italy (+55%) and France (+65%) splashed out much more than before.
Another interesting, and wider, analysis is given by Deloitte UK, which shows other interesting angles, as that actually 19 out of the 20 top club by revenues come from the five mentioned leagues – with only the Turkish team Galatasaray joining them – and that all the English Premier League clubs are in the global top-40, thanks to the latest Premier League broadcast deals.