Player-exporting leagues to secure sales growth elsewhere as Premier League spending turns inwards
IMAGO | Ismael Saibari’s €50 million move to Bayern Munich and Mika Godts’ €45 million move to Paris Saint-Germain commanded the highest fees among transfers agreed this summer for players sold by clubs outside the ‘big five’ leagues.
The Recap
Player-exporting leagues are looking beyond the Premier League to sustain transfer income growth as English clubs spend more on players from league rivals.
Data Insight
Of the €978 million increase in Premier League spending since 2022/23, €921 million has stayed within the league, with 40 per cent of clubs’ total spending this summer going to league rivals.
Why It Matters
Top clubs in player-exporting leagues are seeing growing operating losses, increasing their dependence on player-sale profits to balance the books.
The Perspective
The player export model could come under pressure if operating losses keep growing faster than player-sale profits and Premier League spending continues to turn inwards.
4 November 2026 - 3:00 PM
This summer, Premier League clubs spent a record €1.64 billion on permanent player signings from league rivals. Alongside a record figure, it also meant that 40 per cent of their total spending this summer stayed within the league – the highest level in at least 10 years.
Rather than being a one-off, this appears to be part of a broader pattern, as the Premier League has steadily increased internal spending since 2022/23.
Meanwhile, leagues just o
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