Player-exporting leagues to secure sales growth elsewhere as Premier League spending turns inwards

The Recap Player-exporting leagues are looking beyond the Premier League to sustain transfer income growth as English clubs spend more on players from league rivals. Data Insight Of the €978 million increase in Premier League spending since 2022/23, €921 million has stayed within the league, with 40 per cent of clubs' total spending this summer going to league rivals.

Why It Matters Top clubs in player-exporting leagues are seeing growing operating losses, increasing their dependence on player-sale profits to balance the books. The Perspective The player export model could come under pressure if operating losses keep growing faster than player-sale profits and Premier League spending continues to turn inwards.

4 November 2026 - 3:00 PM This summer, Premier League clubs spent a record €1.64 billion on permanent player signings from league rivals. Alongside a record figure, it also meant that 40 per cent of their total spending this summer stayed within the league - the highest level in at least 10 years.

Rather than being a one-off, this appears to be part of a broader pattern, as the Premier League has steadily increased internal spending since 2022/23.