2014 summer transfer window: Ligue 1's lowest spending since 2003, first positive balance since 2010

Ligue 1 clubs spent €134m and sold nearly €226m in the 2014 summer transfer market (from 10/6 to 01/09/2014). Spending in Ligue 1 fell by nearly 65% compared to 2013 (€378.9m) and by 26% compared to 2012 (€181m), figures which reflect the strong decrease in the capital of Paris Saint Germain and AS Monaco in the market in 2014 compared to previous years. The two clubs reached their lowest spending level since the summer market in 2003 (€107.1m).

Revenues in the French first division fell slightly by 1.5% compared to 2013 (€229.1m). Excluding Paris Saint Germain (€1.5m) and AS Monaco (€94.1m), revenues in 2014 of the Ligue 1 reach €106.1 million, or 47% of total revenues.

The overall 2014 balance of Ligue 1 was positive at €91.7m, mainly due to AS Monaco, which posted a profit of €70m in the summer transfer market. This is the first time since the summer of 2010 that Ligue 1 has recorded a positive balance of paid transfers (€58.6m at the time). 2010-11 is the season prior to the arrival of QSI (Qatar Sports Investments) at the head of Paris Saint Germain.

The gross number of moves…