English Premier League accounts for 70% of the 20 most expensive transfers this summer, Saudis are catching up

Paul Kemp Jul 19, 2023

The summer transfer window is nowhere near its deadline, but football fans across the globe have already seen a flurry of attention-grabbing deals. Real Madrid signed the most sought after player in the face of Jude Bellingham. Arsenal has already attracted 3 top players, each of them ranking within the 20 most expensive transfers of the summer so far. But it is the teams from the Saudi League who constantly feature in the media headlines trying to lure another top-talent player. This inspired the team at Sportingpedia to identify the Top 20 deals in this transfer window so far. We analyze which is the most attractive league and the most active teams. The data shows that despite the emergence of the Saudi League, the Premier League sides continue to dominate the market. English teams have been responsible for a staggering 70% share of the 20 most expensive player signings this summer.

Key Takeaways

• The English Premier League teams have bought 14 of the 20 most expensive players, accounting for a massive 70% of the deals
• Despite the Saudi League attracting some big names, their clubs have been involved in just 2 of the top 20 transfers this summer
• The French Ligue 1 has 2 major incoming transfers, the Bundesliga and La Liga have 1 each
• Serie A teams are struggling and have been unable to complete a top 20 transfer
• Arsenal has been the most active team, featuring with 3 deals in the list

Premier League’s Monopoly on Top-Tier Transfers

The Premier League’s financial supremacy is exemplified by the acquisition of seven out of the ten most expensive players this summer. Furthermore, the league dominates the top 20 transfers, with an astounding 14 of the most significant deals conducted by its clubs. This commanding presence only reaffirms EPL’s reputation as the most captivating and competitive league in the world.

Six of the Premier League’s 14 high-profile transfers were deals between English teams. Showcasing a considerable amount of player movement within the league. Additionally, the EPL has not lost its allure beyond its borders, attracting three players from La Liga and two from the Bundesliga. The English sides’ active involvement underlines the league’s status as the dominant force in the global football market.

Saudi League’s Ambitious Ascent

The Saudi League has made considerable strides in gaining global attention. Despite that, its impact on this summer’s transfer market remains limited. Clubs from the Saudi League were involved in only two of the top 20 transfers. This indicates a growing ambition but also indicates the challenges they face in competing with more established footballing powerhouses. It is worth noting that most of the high-profile players (Karim Benzema, N’golo Kante) have joined the league on free transfers. No doubt that the Saudi League will continue to invest in marquee signings and make efforts to compete with the more established leagues. It will be intriguing to observe how this trend will shape the dynamics of the global football transfer market.

Ligue 1, Bundesliga, La Liga in the Shadows, Serie A not even on the map

Other major European leagues have also made notable contributions to the transfer market, albeit on a smaller scale. Ligue 1 secured two major incoming deals, both conducted by PSG. Meanwhile, the Bundesliga and La Liga each completed one significant transfer. Yet, Serie A teams appear to be facing financial constraints. They have been unable to complete a transfer ranking within the top 20 thus far. This could signal a period of financial reevaluation for Italian clubs, as they seek to regain their historical standing in the transfer market.

Arsenal’s Active Involvement

Nine of the 20 Premier League clubs feature on the list, but Arsenal’s name comes on top as the most active. The Gunners’ aggressive approach indicates their determination to strengthen the squad and win their first title in 20 years. Close on Arsenal’s heels are Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool, PSG, and Al-Hilal. Each of them boasts two top-tier transfers, but the summer is still young and they can easily catch or even surpass Arsenal.

Raw Data