Textor says closing of Crystal Palace share sale will open pathway for Everton buy
September 12 – American businessman John Textor says he is an “awkward spot” in the process of buying Everton.
Finance
Big 5 leagues make up near 70% of total 10-year transfer spend, EPL accounts for 28%
September 9 – The recently closed transfer window may have been a 10% drop on spending compared to last year, but it was still the second highest of all-time (€10.96 billion in 2024 vs €12.24 billion in 2023).
Bulgarian power players secure funding package to save Maritsa Plovdiv
September 9 – The former Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Boyko Borisov, has said the government will provide nearly BGN 11 million (€5.1 million) for the reconstruction of third division club Maritsa Plovdiv’s stadium.
Transfer net spends show halving of losses as Premier League and Saudi Pro League cut back
September 6 – Further analysis of the trends of the 2024/25 summer window by Football Benchmark highlights shifts in league spending patterns, and a “remarkable turnaround” by England’s Premier League, showing an improved transfer balance of more than €550 million.
A-Cap put Standard Liège up for sale after taking control from 777 Partners
September 6 – US insurance specialists A-Cap will officially step in at Standard Liège after the Belgian club announced that 777 Partners will no longer retain a seat on the board of directors.
Magic Johnson joins Michele Kang’s Washington Spirit ownership group
September 6 – NBA legend turned sports entrepreneur Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson has bought into NWSL team Washington Spirit, his second club investment in the US, already owning a stake in the MLS’s LAFC.
The ghost of Ashley. Newcastle pays £10m tax bill as HMRC cracks down on clubs
September 6 – Newcastle United have had to cough up more than £10 million to settle a long-running battle with British tax authorities according to multiple reports.
Chelsea creates room to clear PSR with £76.5m hotels sale
September 5 – Chelsea have been cleared by the Premier League for the £76.5 million sale of two hotels to a sister company to help the club stay compliant with financial regulations known as profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
Summer transfer window: where the big money went
September 5 – The summer transfer window has once again showcased the financial powerhouses of European and global football, as clubs combined for a total spend of $6.45 billion.
Loophole leaves Leicester City free and clear on PSR rules and Premier League embarrassed
September 4 – In a surprise ruling that could have far-reaching consequences for English top-flight football’s entire financial fair play strategy, Leicester City have won an appeal against a decision that could have led to a points deduction for allegedly breaching spending rules.
Chelsea break Man City’s record for the most expensive squad in world football history
September 4 – The financial clout of the Premier League has once again been laid bare, as the latest CIES Football Observatory data report ranks the top 100 most expensively-assembled club squads in world football.
Transfer spend $1bn down on 2023 at $6.4bn, but women’s game continues to grow
September 3 – The volume of money flowing through the international transfer system for the mid-year window just closed may be $1 billion lower than 2023, but the actual numbers of transfers made are higher.
Aussies rethink transfer rules in move to make pro game more sustainable
September 3 – Australian football stakeholders, who have jointly committed to a ‘holistic’ review of the Aussie professional game’s economic model, as a first step have agreed to phase out the controversial ‘Caceres Clause’ that covers player transfers.
Lukaku reunites with Conte as transfer window counts down to closing
August 30 – As the summer transfer window prepares to slam shut in Europe’s major leagues tonight, Romelu Lukaku has ended his underwhelming second spell at Chelsea by completing a move to Napoli and linking up again with former coach Antonio Conte.
Not so hot summer transfer window still sees Premier League dominate spending
August 30 – With the summer transfer window closing tonight, data from the CIES Football Observatory shows transfer spend 13% down on the same period in 2023.