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Winter Transfer Window Approaches: A Shift in Global Football and Record-Breaking Deals

As the winter transfer market opens in January, the focus is on high-value moves, with a noticeable shift in how transfers are structured.

By Sebastián Hernadez

Photo: social networks of Julián Álvarez.
Photo: social networks of Julián Álvarez.

The global football market is on the verge of another major transfer window, set to open in January. As clubs prepare for the winter market, the landscape of football transfers has drastically changed. What used to be groundbreaking moves are now routine, as players have gained more control over their careers and transfer fees have dropped. The huge, market-breaking transfers of the past have given way to more strategic, calculated moves.

A prominent example of this change is Kylian Mbappé’s move to Real Madrid, which was completed on a free transfer. In his final renewal with PSG, Mbappé signed a short-term deal that allowed him to negotiate directly with Madrid. His deal, which included a signing bonus directly paid to him and a salary exceeding €30 million, illustrates the shift toward player empowerment in the modern transfer market.

Record-Breaking Transfers Becoming Rare

With the increasing control players have over their careers, the astronomical transfer fees of the past are now less common. For instance, Neymar’s record-breaking €225 million move to PSG is unlikely to be repeated anytime soon. In fact, the most expensive transfer of the current season didn’t even reach €100 million. Julián Álvarez, the World Cup-winning Argentina international, transferred from Manchester City to Atlético de Madrid for €75 million, marking the biggest move of the recent market.

Despite this shift, the total value of major player transfers this season surpassed €1.1 billion, highlighting the continued importance of the transfer market.

Top 20 Most Expensive Transfers of 2024

  • Mathijs De Ligt (Bayern to Manchester United) - €45 million
  • Georgino Rotter (Leeds to Brighton) - €46.7 million
  • Max Kilman (Wolves to West Ham) - €47.5 million
  • Endrick (Palmeiras to Real Madrid) - €47.5 million
  • Desiré Doué (Rennes to PSG) - €50 million
  • Manuel Ugarte (PSG to Manchester United) - €50 million
  • Joao Palhinha (Fulham to Bayern) - €51 million
  • Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa to Juventus) - €51.5 million
  • Joao Felix (Atlético de Madrid to Chelsea) - €52 million
  •  Michael Olise (Crystal Palace to Bayern) - €53 million
  • Teun Koomainers (Atalanta to Juventus) - €54.7 million
  • Dani Olmo (Leipzig to Barcelona) - €55 million
  • Amadou Onana (Everton to Aston Villa) - €59.3 million 
  • Joao Neves (Benfica to PSG) - €59.9 million
  • Pedro Neto (Wolves to Chelsea) - €60 million
  • Moussa Diaby (Aston Villa to Al-Ittihad) - €60 million
  • Leny Yoro (Lille to Manchester United) - €62 million
  • Dominik Solanke (Bournemouth to Tottenham) - €64.3 million
  • Goncalo Ramos (Benfica to PSG) - €65 million
  • Julián Álvarez (Manchester City to Atlético de Madrid) - €75 million

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Julián Álvarez


Sebastián Hernadez

Sebastián Hernadez

I am Sebastián Hernández Cárdenas, a Colombian sports journalist born in the vibrant city of Barranquilla, Colombia. With an innate passion for sports, I have dedicated my career to covering the most important events and news in the sports world.I have been fortunate to work in some of the most prestigious media outlets in Colombia and Latin America. I was part of the ESPN team, where I covered high-level sporting events and interviewed personalities from the world of sports. I have also worked ...

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