A recent report from the CIES Football Observatory revealed significant shifts in the global club spending landscape, with English club Arsenal topping the list with a net expenditure of €362 million over the last two transfer windows. However, the most striking story was the meteoric rise of Saudi Arabian clubs, with four of them entering the top 20 highest spenders, underscoring the growing influence of the Saudi Professional League on the global stage.
The dominance of the English Premier League continues, led by Arsenal
Arsenal's top ranking reflects the club's clear strategy under manager Mikel Arteta, which aims to build a team capable of seriously competing for the Premier League title and European trophies. The London club spent €378 million on new signings, most notably Declan Rice, while generating only €16 million in revenue from player sales. This significant deficit highlights the management's desire for direct investment to bolster the team's competitive edge.
The big spending was not limited to Arsenal, as Liverpool came in second with a net expenditure of 244 million euros, followed by Manchester City in third place with a deficit of 208 million euros, which reaffirms the enormous financial power of Premier League clubs and their ability to attract the best talent in the world.
The rise of Saudi power: A game-changing strategic investment
The strong presence of Saudi clubs on the list marks a historic turning point in the transfer market. This shift is part of a massive investment project undertaken by the Saudi Public Investment Fund within the framework of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and establish the Kingdom as a global sporting destination.
Al-Hilal spearheaded this trend, ranking fourth globally and first outside Europe with a net spending of €195 million, following high-profile signings such as Brazilian star Neymar. Alongside Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, NEOM, and Al-Qadisiyah also featured in the top 20, reflecting the scale of investment distributed across several clubs to raise the overall level of competition in the league.
Impacts on the global football map
The emergence of Saudi clubs as major purchasing power has profound global implications. Regionally, this spending reinforces the Saudi league's position as the strongest league in Asia and the Middle East. Internationally, it has created a new market capable of competing with the top five European leagues for star players, driving up player transfer fees and salaries and offering players new career options.
The report, which bases its calculations on transfer fees, potential bonuses, and resale percentages, confirms that the football market is no longer the exclusive domain of European clubs. The divergent strategies of clubs like Arsenal and Al-Hilal, which rely on direct investment, and others that strive for a balance between buying and selling, are shaping a new era of financial and sporting competition in the world of football.
