Concerns raised at European Club Association general assemblyUnprecedented summer spending reshapes transfer market
European clubs are seeking guarantees that they will be paid the huge transfer fees agreed with Saudi Arabian clubs in full after a summer of unprecedented spending that has reshaped the transfer market.
Before this year the amount spent by Saudi clubs on players in Europe’s top divisions had never eclipsed 2% of total yearly sales. After a transfer window that has seen players such as Neymar, Rúben Neves, Fabinho, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Riyad Mahrez move for eye-watering amounts, that proportion has risen dramatically to 11%, totalling €878m (£753m). As recently as 2020 the outlay was only €63m.
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