The international transfer window for European soccer clubs is closing these days and there is no doubt: the money spent on signing new players is reaching new heights!
During the summer transfer window in Europe clubs all over the continent uses enormous amounts of money in their hunt for domestic and European success. The big clubs in Spain, like Barcelona, and especially the English top sides have been splashing the cash for the last few months, and one might ask oneself: has it gone to far?
Skyhigh transfer sums
A quick reply to this question would be a loud and clear 'Yes', and we'll try to explain why. This summer we have seen the transfer of players like Neymar from Barcelona to Paris St. Germain for €222 million, Ousmane Dembélé from Borussia Dortmund to FC Barcelona for €105 million, Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United from Everton for €85 million and lots of other big signings in the 'lower' area around €40-60 millions.
The most special thing about all these transfers is that relatively mediocre players are sold to relativaly mediocre clubs for vast amounts of money, and the question regarding whether this has gone to far or not is absolutely valid. The clubs in Europe, and especially England, are making and spending enormous amount of money as a result of broadcasting rights and extremely wealthy owners. Clubs suchs as Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris St. Germain are all good examples of this. Just think of this: Sunderland who finished last in the Premier League in 2016/2017 earned a total of ￡99.9 million on TV money distribution and prize money! Chelsea, on the other hand, who won got away with a staggering amount of ￡153.2 million.
And what about the sponsor money? The clubs are sponsored by casinos such as Chance Hill, big banks, airlines and other huge companies, so there is no wonder the are making big bucks. Stadium names have changed from Highbury to Emirates and from Maine Road to Etihad Stadium. Did I hear 'money talks?
So the problem seems to be this: The English clubs and other big European clubs can spend big money on players and offer them huge salaries. In this way they are driving the marked upwards and the result is almost artificial high prices for players in all of Europe. Traditional big clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have always had more money then other clubs, but nowadays it kind of seems like the transfer marked has gone completely wild.
What are the disadvantages?
There are many disadvantages with the transfer marked being as hot as it is today. The worst result is that the economic gap between the big clubs and the medium-sized / small clubs is increasing in an enormous pace. You can use the Champions League as a good example. The Champions League was originally meant to be a tournament for the champions of each country in Europe. The winners from the lower ranking league played play-offs in order to qualify for the tournament. But as the years have gone by the possibility for these clubs to qualify have gotten significantly more narrow. What does this mean? This means that the economic gap between the big guns and the smaller clubs continues to grow. A Norwegian club, Rosenborg BK, qualified for the Champions League every year from 1995 to 2007, except from in 2003/2004 and 2006/2007.
Since then it has been very difficult and from next year it will be even worse. The UEFA have decided to make it harder by handing out 4 spots in the Champions League to the leagues in Spain, Germany, England and Italy. The reason for that, you might ask? Money of course. More famous and big teams in the tournament means more money in the bank.
The result is even more money to the clubs in the big leagues to spend on players, thus driving the prices even higher.
It is sad, but unfortunately true.
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