FIFA’s Big 5 Transfer Window Analysis: Summer spending by clubs of the Big 5 surpasses USD 4 billion, driving global spending to new record highs

The report is a summary of activity in the International Transfer Matching System (ITMS) by clubs from England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain (“the Big 5”) during this year’s summer registration period, an official release stated.

The report also includes detailed information at association level including transfer types, origin and destination of transfers, the nationality and age of the players involved, and historical comparisons with past summer registration periods.

The data published in this report is extracted from the ITMS used by all 211 FIFA member associations and over 7,500 professional football clubs around the globe for the international transfer of professional football players.

Key statistics on transfer activity from 1 June to 1 September 2018:

182 of the 211 FIFA member associations had their registration period open during this period.

8,401 international transfers were completed around the world, and global spending on transfer fees was USD 5.44 billion.

Clubs of the Big 5 accounted for 77.5 per cent of the global spending, having combined for a total of USD 4.21 billion.

Compared to last summer, spending by the Big 5 increased by 6.6 per cent, driven by clubs from Italy (+74.7 per cent) and Spain (+42.2 per cent).

Once again, England was the world‘s biggest spender during the period (USD 1.44 billion).

Image: FIFA.com