The global football transfer window has set a new record after clubs spent more than £7 billion on international transfer fees during the summer, FIFA has said.
The organisation recorded more than 12,500 men’s transfers between June 1 and September 2, with total spending exceeding $9.89 billion. Both figures are the highest ever recorded for a mid-year window.
English clubs led the spending, investing more than $3 billion in new players. Clubs in Italy spent about $1.1 billion, followed by Spain on $940 million, Germany on $904 million and France on $641 million.
French clubs received the most in transfer fees, collecting $1.7 billion, while English sides received $1.43 billion. Germany, Spain and Portugal were the next biggest beneficiaries.
The record-breaking transfer window was influenced in part by the 2026 World Cup, with 267 players who appeared at the tournament moving clubs. Their deals accounted for more than $3.3 billion in combined fees, according to FIFA.
Some of the most expensive moves involved Premier League clubs. Enzo Fernandez joined Manchester City from Chelsea for a reported £125 million, while Morgan Rogers moved from Aston Villa to Chelsea for £117 million and Elliot Anderson transferred from Nottingham Forest to City for £116 million.
Liverpool signed France forward Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain for an initial fee of about £107 million, potentially rising with add-ons. Real Madrid also paid a reported £107 million for Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig.
Women’s football also sets new transfer record
FIFA said women’s football had recorded its busiest and most expensive mid-year window. A total of 1,406 international transfers were registered, while clubs spent $28.6 million on fees — more than double the previous year’s figure.
English clubs were the biggest spenders in the women’s game, accounting for $8 million of the total. The United States, Spain, Germany and Italy were also among the leading markets.
FIFA said the figures demonstrated the continuing expansion of the international transfer market and the impact of the World Cup in creating opportunities for players at club level.
