A Kingdom in Power Drive: the end of the English Premiership Transfer Window
Over $1.3 billion (£870 million) was spent recently by 20 Premier-League clubs on acquiring new players – a sum that puts the English League in another galaxy and makes it the wealthiest league in the world. The question that remains now, is will there be found a formula that will translate the clubs’ riches to success on the pitch. And also, who is actually out to gain from the insanity, and other details on the weirdest deal of this transfer window.
The International transfer market closed earlier this week, and it is now certain that with accordance to assumptions, the English Premier League is at the top. With twenty clubs spending no less than $1.3 billion (£870 million) on acquitting new players – an all-time record high.
If also considering the money spent in the short winter transfer window this past January, the Premier League had spent over £1 billion this year.
TV Rights Up 70%
Not only does this insanity showing no signs of slowing down, but it is actually becoming even more intense. The next broadcast-rights agreement that will come into effect from the next season promises the Premier League teams a total of $7.7 billion (£5.1 billion) in broadcasting rights for the three 2016-2019 seasons.
That is, 70% more than the teams received between 2012-2015 (circa $4.5/£3 billion).
Although income from TV rights comprises only part of the teams’ income, it is still a formidable sum that gives English clubs a considerable advantage over rival teams from other countries.
The imaginable sums that the Premier teams shelled out this summer are reliant on promised future-earnings, and in most cases the money is paid in instalments throughout the player’s contract term.
To understand the gap between Premier-League teams and other clubs in Europe’s big leagues, one needs to look at the numbers. The Italian and Spanish Leagues spent this summer $615 (£405) million and $607 (£393) million respectively. That is, both combined spent less than the English Premier League.
Further down the spending line are the German and French top leagues, spending $440 (£290) million and $330 (£220) million respectively.
Yes this money enables the English Premier League to bring the world’s top talent and create the most amazing soccer. But on the downside, it creates insane inflation and unreasonable search in player price tags. This obviously plays into the hands of the selling teams, players and managing agents.
Anthony Martial – The Most Expensive Teenage Soccer Player in History
The most spoken about transfer is that of Anthony Martial: the 19-year old forward from Monaco that was bought by Manchester United for $54 (£36) million – what made him overnight the most expensive teen-age soccer player in history.
Eyebrows were raised in both England and France in light of this transfer, of a player that has played only one full season in France’s first league, and still did not have his debut in France’s adult national team.
Manchester United will initially pay Monaco $54 (£36) million, and additional sums based on Martial’s performance and achievements. Another $10 (£7.2) million instalment for each of the following: if Martial scores 25 goals (in all competitions), will register 25 appearances in France’s national team, wins the “Golden Ball” during his 4-year contract.
Does Money Equal Success?
Very few clubs in other European countries can compete with the prices paid by the English Premier League; aside from perhaps Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and perhaps one or two Italian teams. This creates an influx of the world’s most talented players to lower-ranking, relatively anonymous clubs outside of England – clubs such as Stoke, West Bromwich, etc.
Still, in the most recent ranking, that is based on the past five seasons, only two English Clubs are found between Europe’s leading seventeen soccer teams: Chelsea is ranked 4th, after Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, and Arsenal is ranked 8th.
And something that may come as a bit of a surprise to many: Manchester City and Manchester United did not even make the list…
