Women’s football: Spending in transfer window increases by 125%

A record £5.18m has been spent on transfers in the women’s game so far this summer – more than double the amount spent in 2023.

Over 1,100 transfers have been recorded across professional leagues, representing a 30% increase from the previous 12 months.

A study from Fifa found £5.18m ($6.8m) has been spent in the mid-year window from 1 June-2 September 2024, beating the previous record set in 2023 of £2.3m ($3.02m) with an increase of 125%.

Women’s Super League (WSL) clubs spent more than any other league in the world, with £1.78m ($2.33m) going on incomings. Around £760,000 has been recouped in player sales by WSL clubs, with the window set to close on 13 September.

Liverpool broke their club record in June in signing Canadian teenager Olivia Smith from Sporting Lisbon for £210,000.

In the men’s game, £4.92bn ($6.46bn) was spent across the globe – the second highest in history but a 13% decrease from 2023.

A record 11,000 transfers have been recorded so far, including pending deals.

English clubs spent more than any other league in the world, with £1.29bn ($1.69bn) being spent on incomings.

Julian Alvarez’s £81.5m move to Atletico Madrid from Manchester City is the most spent on a single player, while Tottenham’s £55m signing of Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke was the most spent on a single player by an English club.