LaLiga, sixth in spending on transfers

Spanish clubs have become accustomed to leaving their transfer dealings until the last day and yesterday, when the market closed, it was confirmed that 157 signings have been made over the summer.

Deadline day transfers included: João Félix and Cancelo to Barcelona, Odriozola’s return to Real Sociedad, Mariano joining Sevilla and Abde to Betis...

In LaLiga, the summer window closes with the lowest global figures of the last decade, equal to 2013-14. In fact, these are pandemic figures. A total of €432.8 million was spent on new signings with €477.6 million income from sales, which gives a balance of €44.8 million in favor of the clubs. The club which made the most cash this summer is Villarreal, with a balance in favor of €99 million.

LaLiga’s big spenders

Real Madrid is the club that has spent the most on signings, €129.5 million without blinking: Bellingham (€103 million), Arda Güler (€20m), Fran García (€5m) and the loan of Joselu (€500,000). Bellingham was the biggest investment in LaLiga: €103m.

Streets ahead of LaLiga in terms of expenditure is the Premier League, whose clubs have spent a combined €2,737.74 million on signings, a record figure. Not so long ago, Spanish and English football were more or less at the same pace when it came to getting the cheque book out for new signings. Debates about whether LaLiga or the Premier League was better were common. Today there is no argument. LaLiga can’t hold a candle to the Premier League. Without living in the past and with the numbers on the table, Spain is not only far behind England but has also been overtaken by Serie A (Italy), Ligue 1 (France), the Bundesliga (Germany) and even the new kids on the block, the Saudi Pro League ( Saudi Arabia). LaLiga is sixth in terms of spending during this summer’s transfer market in the global ranking.

Saudi threat

LaLiga is losing magnetism at the same rate that Saudi Arabia is gaining it. The new international context of football cannot be understood without analyzing the Saudi Pro League, which has spent €846 million so far - a figure which is likely to increase before the window closes on 7 September. Their investment in transfers is double LaLiga’s and is at the level of France (€900.6m) and Italy (€845.6m).