January Transfer Window Roundup: Increase in international transfers but decline in transfer fees; France tops spending table, says FIFA

January Transfer Window Roundup: Despite the increase in the number of international transfers across men's and women's football during the winter transfer window for the 2023–24 season, there was a steady decline in the transfer fees, according to a report released by FIFA on February 13.

On Tuesday, the international football governing body released their 'International Transfer Snapshot' for the January transfers, mentioning that there was a 0.6 per cent increase in the number of transfers in men's football this year; however, there was an 8.2 per cent decline in the transfer fees spent compared to the last year's transfer window.

Football Transfer Window Roundup: Numbers in detail

In men's football, a total of $1.46 billion was spent this year, compared to $1.60 billion last year, which is still the second highest ever in any January transfer. However, there was an increase in transfer fees spent for women footballers, which saw a rise of 165.5 per cent to $2.1 million compared to $0.774 million in 2023, as per the report.

According to the reports, 5,073 international transfers were completed, up from 4,684 last year, of which 4,716 were in men's football and the rest 357 (up by 0.3 per cent) in women's football.

The report also mentioned that, across all the football federations, Europe has spent the most, at $1.14 billion, accounting for 77.9 per cent of the global expenditure and receiving more than 60 per cent of the total fees in men's football. Europe also saw the most transfers involving women footballers this year, with 218 incoming transfers and 187 outgoing transfers. Moreover, the CONCACAF (North America) region has seen the number of incoming transfers surge by almost 80 per cent compared to last year.

Transfer Window Roundup: Top spenders

The report also mentioned that in men's football, the French clubs have topped the table in spending this window with $291.9 million, double the amount they spent in the previous year. This is the first time since the 2017 season that the clubs from England weren't at the top in spending and are in second place with a total of $184 million spent during the winter transfer window.

In women's football, clubs from England and Spain each had 29 incoming transfers, and on the releasing side, Sweden and the USA jointly claimed the top position with 30 apiece for the winter transfer window.

Transfer Window Roundup: Chelsea broke the bank in 2023 winter window 

There was a significant decline in total spending by the English clubs, at almost 80 per cent compared to their record spending in January 2023. This decline can be explained by one major factor that involved the London-based club Chelsea, which spent more than $400 million, including the likes of Argentine Enzo Fernandez from Benfica at $133 million and Ukrainian Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk at $111 million during the winter transfer in 2023.

Transfer Window Roundup: Break up in spending

The report also stated that in men's football, players aged 18–23 contributed 52.3 per cent of the total international transfers that involved a transfer fee and accounted for 63.9 per cent of overall expenditure on transfers. This is followed by players aged 24–29 who were involved in 40.6 per cent of transfers and 31.4 per cent of the overall expenditure.

Whereas, for women's football, it is the same outcome in terms of contribution to the total international transfers. Players between the ages of 18 and 23 constitute 46.2 per cent of all transfers, closely trailed by players between 24 and 29, who account for 40.3 per cent of the total transfers.

However, in terms of the overall expenditure on transfer fees, those aged 24-29 amassed a total fee of $1.5 million, which accounts for 71.8 per cent of the total spending.

The report further mentioned that in men's football, 60.6 per cent of all transfers include out-of-contract players, whereas this number rises to 79.3 per cent in women's football.

This was the fourth consecutive year that FIFA published such a snapshot after the international January transfer window, and it will publish the next snapshot in September 2024 — at the end of the summer window, which will start after the end of the current football season.

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