Premier League: increase in the number of transfers in the 2014 winter market, reduced deficit

The 2014 winter transfer window of the Premier League was characterised by an increase in activity compared to January 2013, both in terms of the number of transactions and the value of the transfers. Thus, the 20 clubs in the English first division recorded 165 arrivals and departures, an increase of 4.4% in departures and 10% in arrivals compared to the 2013 transfer window. The aggregate amount of purchases made by the Premier League in January 2014 amounted to €152.8m, up 5.4% compared to the 2013 winter market (€145m).

The largest increase was in sales by English Premier League clubs, which grew by 87.5%, from €63m in January 2013 to more than €118m a year later. This increase of €55m is mainly due to the €61.7m of sales by Chelsea FC in January 2014, including €44.7m for the transfer of the Spaniard Juan Mata to Manchester United. The Blues only had €15m worth of sales in January 2013.

The balance of payments of the Premier League is a deficit of - €34.6m on 31/01/2014, a sharp decrease of 57.8% year on year (- €82m in January 2013). This significant improvement in the balance…