Dry January: English clubs’ spending drops 80%, report says

English clubs spent 80% less on international transfers compared to their record spending in January 2023, according to a FIFA report published on Tuesday.

FIFA said the total number of international transfers in men's and women's football – that is, players who moved from one country to another – reached a record 5,073, but English clubs were unusually restrained in their spending.

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English clubs' spending restraint is strongly linked to the Premier League's application of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), which has seen Everton face a 10-point deduction, as well as additional fees to alongside Nottingham Forest.

Outside of England, spending was largely unaffected. FIFA said the total amount spent on international transfer fees was $1.46 billion, an 8.2% reduction from last January, although it was still the second largest amount the highest ever recorded in January in history.

French clubs spent the most last month with an outlay of $291.9 million.

However, cautious spending by English clubs has not translated to women's football, with Chelsea signing striker Mayra Ramírez from Levante for a record fee in the region of €450,000 ($485,000) with a potential further 50 000 € bonus.

FIFA also said women's football saw record spending of $2.1 million, two and a half times more than last year.