Record January window for transfers despite drop in spending

Clubs around the globe achieved a fresh benchmark for the winter transfer period regarding the volume of deals finalised, as per a FIFA announcement issued on Thursday, although total expenditure fell short of the previous year's peak.

During the January 2026 period, transfer numbers rose by three percent over the prior benchmark from the year earlier, exceeding 5,900 global deals.

That said, aggregate spending topped $1.9 billion, marking an 18 percent decline from the January 2025 peak of $2.35 billion in fees.

Premier League teams dominated spending once more, disbursing over $363 million, a sharp reduction from $623 million in 2025, yet well ahead of Serie A outfits at $283 million for second spot.

Brazilian sides entered the top trio for the first time, investing $180 million, including $49 million from Flamengo's acquisition of Lucas Paqueta from West Ham in the Premier League.

Saudi Arabian teams, who ranked fourth with $213 million last year, dropped to sixth with $101 million.

As in the previous window, Ligue 1 clubs topped earnings with $218 million incoming ($373 million in January 2025), surpassing those from Italy, Brazil, England, and Spain.

For the women's game, expenditure hit a fresh high above $10 million in January, up 85 percent from the prior mark, even as deals fell by six percent to 420.

English teams again led outlays, committing over $5 million.