FIFA has released its latest report into the international transfers completed across both men’s and women’s football during the January transfer window. The report confirms it was a record-breaking window for both transfers and fees, with women’s football in particular experiencing a significant rise in money spent. It also revealed some interesting insight into the big spending of Chelsea, who signed players such as Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk for extravagant fees.

Record January transfer window for women’s football

The total number of international transfers in women’s football reached an all-time high in January, with 341 players moving across borders. This is an increase of 30.2 percent compared to January 2022. 

Colombia had the highest amount of incoming transfers with 35, while Sweden and the United States both had the most amount of outgoing transfers with 26. 

There was also a new record set for transfer fees in women’s football, with $774,300 (£637,000) spent in total last month. 

This was an astonishing 58.7 percent more than was spent in January 2022, demonstrating the exponential growth of women’s football.

Record January transfer window for men’s football

It was a similar story in men’s football, which saw a total of 4,387 international transfers completed in January. 

This was an all-time high since the launch of the Transfer Matching System in 2010.

A record $1.57 billion (£1.3 billion) was spent on transfer fees, around $230 million (£189 million) more than the previous record for the January transfer window in 2018. 

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 15: New Chelsea FC signing, Mykhaylo Mudryk applauds while being introduced to the fans on the pitch at half time during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on January 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

English clubs topped the table for spending on international transfer fees, splashing out $898.6 million (£739.5 million). This was 57.3 percent of total spending in January globally.

With Chelsea estimated to have spent around £323 million last month, they were responsible for a staggering 25 percent of the total transfer fees across the world. 

FIFA’s next snapshot of transfer window activity will be published in early September. With the Women’s World Cup taking place in July and August, the fees for women’s football players could well have skyrocketed at that point. 

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