Transfers: characteristics and market changes in Ligue 1

As in 2011, Ligue 1 have bought (€181m) more than they have sold (€165m) during the 2012 summer transfer window.

68% of purchases (€124m) and 78% of sales (€128m) were made with foreign countries, a trend that has accelerated since 2010. In 2010, foreign purchases comprised only 15% of purchases (€21m) and 46% of sales (€80m) in Ligue 1, while during the summer of 2011, 48% of purchases (€91.7m) and 56% of sales (€85m) were concluded abroad.

The internationalisation of the Ligue 1 transfer market has seen the growing influence of the top four European leagues (England, Spain, Italy, Germany).

In 2012, the four European leagues represented 59% of Ligue 1 purchases (36% in 2011 and 5% in 2010) and 63% of its sales (33% in 2011 and 27% in 2010).

2012 summer transfer market in Ligue 1