FIFA Confirms Record $9.76 Billion Spent On Global Transfers

‎FIFA said that clubs worldwide spent about $9.76 billion on international transfer fees during the close-season window.

‎There were nearly 12,000 international transfers recorded. This spending represents an increase of more than 50% compared to the same period in 2024.

‎Women’s football also broke records with more than 1,100 international transfers where the fees exceeded $12 million.

‎Orlando Pride signed winger Lizbeth Ovalle, who became the most expensive transfer in women’s football when the Mexican moved from Liga MX club side Tigres Femenil for a fee of $1.5 million.

‎”We have observed a transfer market in full swing both in men’s and women’s football,” Emilio Garcia Silvero, FIFA’s Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, said in a statement.

‎”While this is a relevant development in men’s football a year ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the increasing figures in women’s football transfers are equally remarkable as they confirm the exponential growth of the women’s game at club level.”

‎The Premier League once again dominated the transfer market, with English clubs splashing out more than $3 billion in fees over the past three months.

‎German side proved the biggest beneficiaries, collecting $893 million from these deals. The standout move was Florian Wirtz’s £116m ($156.7m) transfer from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool, including add-ons.

‎Liverpool also secured Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, while Newcastle United landed German striker Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart in a club-record £69m deal, with both transfers valued at the same fee.

‎Germany ranked second in overall spending at $980 million, just ahead of Italy on $950 million.

‎For incoming players, England led the way with 535 signings, followed by Portugal (479) and Brazil (425).