From the multimillion spending Premier League to the amazingly frugal La Liga, former Barcelona chief marketing officer Esteve Calzada analyses the 2014 January transfer window around Europe as part of the Soccerex Transfer Review...
Thursday 6 February 2014 16:15, UK
Former Barcelona exec Esteve Calzada analyses in detail the spending of the January transfer window.
The English Premier League has flexed its financial muscles in the transfer market and comes out on top of the big spenders across Europe. The Soccerex Transfer Review by Prime Time Sport has released figures showing that the Premier League clubs spent a mammoth 52 per cent of the total investment on players across the top five leagues in Europe this winter. Premier League spending topped €150million (£125m) compared to €53m (£44.2m) in the French Ligue 1, €42m (£35m) in the Italian Serie A, €33m (£27.5m) in the German Bundesliga and just €12m (£10m) in the Spanish La Liga. The confidence given from the new collective broadcast deals for English clubs is highlighted by the fact that the spending is also spread across more clubs in England than any other in Europe. Whilst Chelsea and Manchester United top the European spending, with €52.8m (£44m) and €45m (£37.5m) respectively, Fulham (€16.3 million / £13.6m) and Hull City (€15.2 m / £12.7m) also feature in the top 10 of the biggest spenders in Europe. Interestingly seven of Europe's biggest names, Arsenal, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona made no investment during the winter window. Indeed, it is the third consecutive year that Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona have made no purchases.