FIFA reports a record 5,973 international transfers in January

A record 5,973 international transfers were registered for men’s football in the January trading period, according to a FIFA report released on Thursday.

That represents a three percent increase from the previous year in global deals between clubs in the countries handled by FIFA.

However, total spending fell about 18 percent from last year’s record, to $1.95 billion. That is still about 20 percent more than the previous record from January 2023, FIFA said.

In women’s football, clubs spent more than $10 million on international transfers, an increase of 85 percent on the previous record a year ago, while the number of international transfers fell by six percent to 420.

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English clubs were again the biggest spenders, spending $363 million on transfer fees and only making back $150 million by selling players to clubs in other countries. Italy followed in second place with $283 million, while Brazil, Germany and France also made the top five.

French clubs benefited the most, earning $218 million in transfer sales, followed by Italy, Brazil, England and Spain.

According to the FIFA study, clubs in the United States spent $99 million and received $48 million in transfer fees.

English women’s clubs also topped the spend with more than $5 million, and were also the biggest earners.

Published on February 5, 2026