Zurich: Football clubs worldwide set a new winter transfer window record in terms of the number of transactions completed, according to a statement released by FIFA on Thursday, but the overall amount spent was down compared to last year's high.
According to Ghana Web, the January 2026 window saw a three percent increase in the number of transfers compared to the previous record set the year before, with more than 5,900 international transactions completed. However, with a total of over $1.9 billion spent, the cumulative amount splashed out on transfer fees is down by 18 percent compared to the record set in January 2025, which was $2.35 billion.
English clubs were the biggest spenders, with more than $363 million in compensation paid. This amount represents a significant drop from 2025, where the spending was $623 million, but it still places English clubs far ahead of Italian clubs, which spent $283 million. Brazilian clubs entered the top three spenders this year, with $180 million spent, $49 million of which was due to Flamengo's signing of Lucas Paqueta from Premier League side West Ham.
Saudi clubs, who were heavy spenders last year at fourth place with $213 million, slipped to sixth place, spending $101 million this year. French clubs once again led in terms of transfer revenue, receiving a total of $218 million, down from $373 million in January 2025, ahead of Italian, Brazilian, English, and Spanish clubs.
In women's football, a new spending record was set, with more than $10 million spent in January. This marks an 85 percent increase from last year's record despite a six percent drop in the number of transfers, with 420 transactions completed in January 2026. English clubs led this category as well, spending more than $5 million.