Transfers: In 2012, Ligue 1 bought more than it sold

In 2012, Ligue 1's summer transfer window concluded with a trade balance of €-16.3m a 59.1% decrease compared to 2011 (€-39.9m). In 2010, Ligue 1 had a positive balance of €34.1m.

For the second consecutive year, the French league has bought more than it sold, a trend related to PSG's transfer policy since 2011 and their takeover by QSI (Qatar Sports Investments).

Excluding PSG, Ligue 1 confirms its status as an elite "exporter": with a 2010 trade balance of €43.1m, it increased slightly in 2011 to €43.4m (+0.8%) and doubled in 2012 with profits of €88m in the transfer market.

These figures reflect the steady decline in the number of purchases made by Ligue 1, excluding PSG. From €131.8m in 2010, the league's spending on the transfer market declined by 20.1% in 2011 (€105.3m) and 29.9% in 2012 (€73.9m).

The four major European leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and Bundesliga) were Ligue 1's top customers (63.5% of sales) and their leading supplier (58.6% of sales).

As in 2011, Ligue 1 clubs have bought more than they sold in the summer transfer market in 2012*: