Another “So British” transfer window

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If the stands of the stadiums have generally regained the level of attendance before the pandemic, the same is not true for the transfer market … at least in the European Union.

According to the figures, there is not really a Brexit effect, nor a "post-COVID" impact for the Premier League clubs, which will once again have been the big animators of this winter transfer window.

The Premier League true to itself

As always, Premier League clubs have not missed the opportunity to adjust their squads during the winter transfer window.

Liverpool opened the ball by recruiting Cody Gapko against just over €42m, a rather reasonable transfer for this Dutch winger who shone in Qatar two months ago, however, the main player for the month of January is not other than Chelsea.

Sportingly abused since the start of the season, the London club has ignored spending in an attempt to prepare for the future.

Many promising young players, like Mykhaylo Mudryk and Benoît Badiashile to name a few, have settled down with the Blues in exchange for colossal transfer fees, totaling more than €300 million,

Arsenal invited themselves into the dance in turn;

Currently at the top of the rankings for several weeks now even if it has much less finances than its rival, it was as complicated as it was risky to answer cost for cost, but it is still almost 50 M€ that has been spent in order to strengthen a workforce that does not have to be ashamed of its season.

Beyond a will – conscious or not – of the big British clubs to compete with each other both on and off the pitch, this phenomenon, which can also be described as the British exception, also applies to teams that are much more modest in sporting terms, because they also have much greater financial means than what is done in other championships.

For example, the clubs of Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth have also responded to the sirens of the transfer window.

The former having decided to strengthen their defense thanks to the arrivals of Danilo as well as Navas, the latter desperately trying to avoid relegation, whatever the cost.

Big 5 earnings from 2011/12 to 2021/22 Statista

Panic buy, austerity and stroke of genius

Conversely, the clubs located in continental Europe generally played the card of caution, even if some of them could not resist the traditional "panic buys", these last minute purchases made by the clubs on the 31 January, whose sporting contribution is as questionable as the amount of the transaction, like the arrival of Vitinha in Marseille, against an estimated sum of at least €25m.

Rigor, requirement and effort, on and off the pitch are therefore the key words at Paris Saint-Germain.

Surprisingly, if the great Parisian rival has been systematically singled out since the beginning of the QSI era for its expenditure considered pharaonic, this time it shone with its sobriety.

The sale of Pablo Sarabia was ultimately not offset – sportingly speaking – by the arrival on loan without an option to buy Hakim Ziyech for administrative reasons, and after a long series, Milan Skriniar will also be waiting this summer before settling down in the city of light, which allows the Parisian club to close this transfer window with a positive balance sheet while reducing its payroll.

A news that will undoubtedly be appreciated by UEFA, the PSG having committed during the

We should also point out Benfica's ability to unearth young talents almost every year before reselling them at exorbitant prices.

Acquired for €14 million last summer from River Plate, the Lisbon club managed to transfer Enzo Fernandez to the Blues for around €120 million, a record in the Premier League, but also the 7th most expensive transfer in history. soccer.

Some clubs have the money, others have the eye, but it's no exaggeration to say that Benfica now have both.

Saudi Arabia plays it soft

The takeover of Newcastle by Saudi Arabia, the world of football expected to observe the usual recipe of the new rich, namely massive expenditure allowing the establishment of a competitive workforce, with the aim of accumulating the trophies in record time while entering a new dimension in the media.

This was the method employed by Chelsea, Manchester City and also PSG, but time is running out and the Magpies still don't seem willing to emulate it, and for good reason.

Not only does Saudi Arabia lack the need for notoriety that Qatar lacked so much a decade ago, but football is above all an important tool of soft power used by this Middle Eastern nation to restore his image.

By avoiding "hold-ups" during the transfer window, or even overpaying players, the expenses of Newcastle - and by extension of its owner - are then perceived as reasonable.

In addition, the club does not have the same performance obligations as Paris, insofar as there is neither city brand nor history behind it.

Failing to qualify for Europe this year would not be synonymous with failure, while the opposite would undoubtedly be welcomed, especially in a championship as competitive as the Premier League.

However, this did not prevent the Saudis from achieving a real tour de force this winter on the transfer market, the arrival of Cristiano having been completed on the side of Al-Nassr.

Beyond a questionable sporting interest for both parties, the contribution in terms of image is undeniable.

Not only does the Saudi Pro League now enjoy global exposure, but several signs of overtures have been sent by the Saudis, starting with an unveiled journalist interviewing the Portuguese striker.

Perceived as authoritarian and recognized for its expeditious justice, Saudi Arabia has been able to strengthen its soft power this winter, an asset that could tip the scales in its favor with a view to organizing the World Cup in 2030.