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Subdued transfer window in Premier League

Spending by English Premier League clubs fell by 715 million pounds ($912.27 million) in the January window compared with a year ago to the lowest level in three years, according to an analysis by Deloitte's Sports Business Group.

Top-flight clubs in England collectively spent about 100 million pounds this January, a drop of around 88% from the same time last year, the analysis said.

Deloitte attributed the fall to clubs taking a more prudent approach after spending heavily in the close season and to concerns over potential sanctions for failing to comply with the league's profit and sustainability rules (PSR).    Erik ten Hag was unable to secure the striker he wanted at Manchester United because of financial fair play concerns.

In addition big moves often lead to a flurry of further deals as clubs look to spend that cash, but the waterfall effect has not been there.   Teams from the Saudi Pro League did little business compared with the summer.

Many teams are also adjusting to a softening of broadcast rights.  Serie A recently concluded a deal for far less than its current contract and the French rights auction failed to attract a bid at the reseve price   The Premier League squeezed four per cent from its new deal by increasing the number of games on offer.

The 100 million pounds spent in the January window, which closed on Thursday, is the lowest since the league spent a combined 70 million pounds on transfers in the COVID-restricted window of January 2021, the report said.

Tottenham Hotspur made the biggest signing of the window, bringing in 21-year-old Romania defender Radu Dragusin from Italian side Genoa for 25 million pounds.   But French clubs were actually the busiest thanks to a spree by Olympique Lyonnais, bought by a US investor in late 2022.

Despite the sharp dip, clubs still spent 2.5 billion pounds across the two transfer windows this season, making 2023-24 the second-highest season on record after last season.

"After record breaking spending in the last three transfer windows, Premier League clubs' spending this January has been subdued," said Tim Bridge, lead partner in Deloitte's Sports Business Group.

"The more prudent approach is likely driven by the high level of spend invested during the summer window but may also have been influenced by a heightened awareness of the Premier League's financial regulations and the potential repercussions of non-compliance."

Spending in Europe's other top leagues, however, rose 80% to 455 million euros ($495.54 million) from the 255 million euros last year, Deloitte said, with France's Ligue 1 spending the most at 190 million euros.

Spending is expected to increase again in the summer when clubs do most of their business and the Saudis likely to be acfive.

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