How the Premier League compares in transfer fees: 2022 FIFA report

Historic figures in the transfer market counter the argument that the bubble was going to burst. At least for the moment.

In 2022 there was a record number of transfers. After two years of decline due to the covid pandemic, in 2022 the number of transfers skyrocketed according to the latest FIFA Annual Report. In professional men’s soccer, 20,209 international transfers were made, which represents an increase of 11.6% when compared to 2021, and exceeds 2019 levels before the pandemic. There is also an all-time record in overall operations with professional soccer players (between men and women) at 21,764.

How much was spent in the transfer market 2022?

Emilio García Silvero, director of the Legal Services and Compliance Division, assesses the data.

“The negative trend in spending on transfers of the last two years was reversed in 2022, with a total investment that reached €6.5 billion, which represents an increase of 33.5% compared to 2021, although it is still below the record established in 2019.″

Therefore, soccer players moved (either permanently or on loan) more than ever, but the figures of money that moved in the 2019 annual market have not been reached, nor in 2018 (second in the ranking). The relative and understandable ‘pause’ of 2020 and 2021, however, have been left behind. (€1 = c.$1)

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Top-10 transfers in 2022

The ten most expensive transfers alone generated 12.5% of the total amount spent on moves throughout 2022. Likewise, of the 2,843 operations that involved a cost, the 100 most expensive accounted for almost 50 % of all money spent on transfers. As expected, it was the English clubs who managed and moved the most money, which is why they once again headed the spending list, only Bayern Munich and Real Madrid the exceptions.

In the ranking of selling nationalities, this is led by Brazil with almost 1,000 transferred players, among which was Antony (from Ajax to Manchester United). Casemiro, Richarlison, Raphinha and Gabriel Jesus at the top end. The most was paid for players was from France, with Tchouameni as the main example. And then by Portuguese, Argentine, Dutch and Spanish. 2022 set another new record as 183 different nationalities were involved in some kind of transfer.

English clubs: outspending by three times

FIFA underlines that it is still the English clubs who traditionally spend the most and in 2022 this was the case again. For the first time in history, its total disbursement exceeded 2,000 million euros. The Premier League’s dominance is also reflected in the top ten transfer fee streams, the first six of which have England on the buying side.

For their part, French clubs topped the list of associations with the highest level of income from transfers with a total of 740.3 million received.

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England spent 2,199.3 million, followed by Italy (673.3); Spain (592.5), France (545.3) and the Top-5 is closed by Germany with 537.6. Figures for English clubs are triple those of any other country.

The conflict of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has also impacted on the transfer market. Shakhtar Donestk led the team that made the most outgoing transfers throughout 2022. Followed by Dinamo Zagreb, Sporting Portugal, PSG and Benfica.

Record in the women’s market

Year after year, the international transfer market in women’s professional soccer has been setting new records. 2022 was no exception, with a new high of 119 associations from around the world involved in 1,555 international transfers, more than ever before and 19.3% more than the previous record set in 2021.

The The number of clubs completing these transfers was also higher than ever, with 500 clubs involved worldwide, up more than 20% compared to 2021.