Europe’s Big Five Smash Transfer Window Record

Europe’s Big Five Smash Transfer Window Record

                                         Radamel Falcao

England and Spain have led a record breaking summer transfer market by Europe's big five leagues worth well over $2 billion (£1.2 billion), with more big deals sealed at the last minutes of  the close of the window last night.

Radamel Falcao and Arturo Vidal were among the big names that Real Madrid and Manchester United spent the better part of the $250 million last minute cash splash to pick.

"This summer transfer window is one of records," said Dan Jones of the Deloitte consultancy's Sports Business Group.
He highlighted that in the last two summer windows more than 20 per cent of English Premier League clubs’ spending occurred on deadline day. "There is still potential for a significant increase" in the record breaking spending already seen, he said.

FIFA's transfer monitoring system said that by Sunday, $2.09 billion had been spent by top clubs in England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France, breaking last year's record of $2.02 billion.

It said that England's Premier League accounted for more than 43 per cent of the big five's spending, followed by Spain on more than 25 per cent and Germany on about 10 per cent. Italy and France follow, with spending down in both in Serie A and Ligue 1.
According to Deloitte's figures, more than £725 million ($1.2 billion) had been spent by England's 20 Premier League clubs from June 9 up to last Friday. That is already more than £100 million more than last year.

British media said the figure had risen to nearly £750 million by Sunday, helped by Manchester United's £14 million plus purchase of Daley Blind from Ajax Amsterdam.

Manchester United have been Europe's top spenders, laying out more than £140 million ($240 million) to buy Blind, Angel di Maria from Real Madrid for £59 million, Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo. They have been linked with Vidal and other names before the transfer windown closed at 11pm last night.

Liverpool also spent more than £115 million, mainly to buy Mario Balotelli, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren. Chelsea laid out more than £75 (including Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa) and Arsenal more than £62 million.

English clubs have spent about $300 million on Spanish players. But, according to FIFA, Spain's current spending is closing on $600 million and already three times higher than last year's pre-season transfer window. A spending splurge by Real Madrid and Barcelona has accounted for the buying.

Barcelona paid Liverpool more than $125 million for Luis Suarez, while Real Madrid spent a reported $108 million on Monaco's James Rodriguez and more than $35 million on German World Cup midfielder Toni Kroos.

But after losing Xabi Alonso to Bayern Munich, Real were still in market for a big signing until last night, according to club officials.
Media reports Sunday linked Real to Falcao at Monaco and Manchester United's Mexican forward Javier Hernandez. Hernandez loan deal was sealed after launch time yesterday at Santiago Bernabeu while Falcao’s one year loan to Old Trafford was equally concluded about same time.

Spending by Germany's cautious Bundesliga team is more than 25 per cent up at nearly $300 million so far, according to FIFA's figures. But it is still way behind England and Spain.

And Italy and France have seen dramatic falls in their spending, reflecting the state of their countries' economies and the impact of UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations.

Spending by Italian clubs approaching $200 million is 45 per cent down on last year. AC Milan took Chelsea's Fernando Torres in a loan deal on Saturday.

Top French sides Paris St Germain and Monaco have spent 75 per cent less this year on new players than in the 2013 transfer window. The $67 million move by Brazilian defender David Luiz from Chelsea to Paris was the biggest purchase in France.