Record winter window transfers as spending falls on last year | OneFootball

FIFA said in a statement on Thursday that the global winter transfer window delivered a record 5,900 moves, yet overall spending fell on last year.

This edition was up three per cent on the previous high of 5,799 transfers. Fees topped 1.6 billion euros, an 18 per cent drop on January 2025’s two billion euros.

English clubs led with 307 million euros, down from 527 million in 2025, ahead of Italian sides on 239 million. Brazilian clubs were third with 152 million, boosted by the international Lucas Paqueta’s move from West Ham to Flamengo for about 41 million, the latter the reigning Brazilian champions and Copa Libertadores winners.

French clubs, hit by the domestic TV rights crisis, stayed fifth with 101 million euros, more than 40 per cent down on last year’s 177 million. Saudi clubs slipped from fourth with 180 million to sixth with 85 million, a fall of roughly 52 per cent.

France also topped receipts again, taking in 184 million euros, compared with 315 million in January 2025.

In the women’s game, spending set a new high above eight million euros in January, up 85 per cent on last year, despite a six per cent fall in transfers to 420. English clubs again spent the most, exceeding four million euros.

Source: L'Équipe