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European Transfer Deadline Day Sees Premier League Spending Power Significantly Reduced 

Tottenham Hotspur's Romanian defender #06 Radu Dragusin makes his debut during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on January 14, 2024. (AFP)
Tottenham Hotspur's Romanian defender #06 Radu Dragusin makes his debut during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on January 14, 2024. (AFP)
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European Transfer Deadline Day Sees Premier League Spending Power Significantly Reduced 

Tottenham Hotspur's Romanian defender #06 Radu Dragusin makes his debut during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on January 14, 2024. (AFP)
Tottenham Hotspur's Romanian defender #06 Radu Dragusin makes his debut during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on January 14, 2024. (AFP)

The January transfer window closed on Thursday with the Premier League’s spending power considerably down on previous years.

Based on reported fees, top-flight clubs in England spent around $120.55 million on signings, not including loan deals. A year ago, Chelsea’s $357 million mid-season spree was part of a league record outlay of around $831 million.

Figures never looked like getting anywhere near those levels this year, with loan deals dominating the market.

According to auditor Deloitte, gross spending in Spain, Germany, Italy and France rose 80% year-on-year from 255 million euros ($277 million) to 455 million euros ($494 million). French league was biggest spender of the window with an outlay of around $210 million, based on reported fees.

But it was in England where the biggest shift occurred, with leading clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all resisting the temptation to spend.

What is not clear is whether the caution shown during the past month represents the start of a new trend in light of the Premier League’s financial rules — or whether normal service will be resumed at the end of the season.

In France, Lyon spent around $54.5 million and Paris Saint-Germain $43.5 million. In Spain, Barcelona brought in 18-year-old Brazilian forward Vitor Roque for a reported $43.5 million.

By comparison Crystal Palace was the Premier League’s biggest spender after the deadline day signing of midfielder Adam Wharton from Blackburn for a reported $23 million took the London club’s total outlay to $31.6 million.

FINANCIAL RULES

Everton was handed a 10-point deduction earlier this season for breaching the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.

The Merseyside club could face more sanctions after being referred last month to an independent commission for further breaches of the rules. Nottingham Forest was also referred.

The league’s profit and financial sustainability rules allow clubs to lose a maximum of 105 million pounds ($130 million) over a three-year period or face sanctions.

The level of the punishment handed to Everton has likely served as a warning to English clubs about spending beyond the limits.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag pointed to spending limitations when asked about signing a striker in January.

“I looked. But there is no space. No space in FFP (Financial Fair Play),” he said last week.

PREMIER LEAGUE

With the chance to qualify for next season's Champions League, Tottenham signed Leipzig forward Timo Werner on loan and defender Radu Dragusin from Genoa for a reported $32 million.

Aston Villa is also aiming for the Champions League and maybe more. It secured a deal for Middlesbrough forward Morgan Rogers on deadline day.

And despite the fear of a points deduction, Forest still strengthened with loan deals for United States midfielder Gio Reyna and Sporting striker Rodrigo Ribeiro and the signing of goalkeeper Matz Sels from Strasbourg for a reported $6.4 million.

Kalvin Phillips was one of the biggest names to move within the league from Manchester City to West Ham on loan.

Armando Broja completed a late move on loan from Chelsea to Fulham.

SPAIN

Barcelona, struggling both financially and on the field, did not make any moves in January other than the deal for Roque. The Catalan club is now focused on finding its next coach after Xavi Hernández said he would not continue after this summer.

Real Madrid was satisfied with what it has after hitting the jackpot with Jude Bellingham in the preseason, while Atletico Madrid was the biggest mover last month as it picked up 18-year-old Belgium midfielder Arthur Vermeeren from Antwerp, added veteran defender Gabriel Paulista as a free agent from Valencia, and signed Romania goalkeeper Horațiu Moldovan as a backup to Jan Oblak.

GERMANY

Jadon Sancho’s return from Manchester United to Borussia Dortmund on loan was standout deal of the window. Sancho set up a goal in his first game, won a penalty in the second and Dortmund has won all three of its Bundesliga games since his return to move back in the Champions League qualifying places.

At Bayern Munich the focus has been on adding depth to a small squad depleted by injuries. Eric Dier signed on loan from Tottenham and right back Sacha Boey joined from Galatasaray in a deal potentially worth over 35 million euros ($38 million). Spanish forward Bryan Zaragoza was brought in sooner than expected, joining on deadline day, rather than after the season.

League leader Bayer Leverkusen opted for Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias as emergency cover for the injured Victor Boniface.

ITALY

Desperate to turn around a disappointing season that has already involved a coaching change, Napoli was the most active of Italy’s big clubs. Mired in ninth place, last season’s champion signed Cyril Ngonge, Hamed Traore, Pasquale Mazzocchi and Leander Dendoncker. Napoli’s biggest order of business might still be to come, amid reports that Victor Osimhen has decided to leave the club at the end of the season.

FRANCE

While Paris Saint-Germain ensured it would at least keep Kylian Mbappé until the end of the season, the superstar striker can leave for nothing in June unless he signs a new deal.

PSG signed Brazilians Lucas Beraldo and Gabriel Moscardo, with the latter loaned straight back to his original club Corinthians.

Lyon made a host of signings including Malick Fofana, Gift Orban, Nemanja Matic and Orel Mangala on loan from Forest.

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Sports

Hamilton Says Tension with Ferrari Teammate Leclerc 'Squashed'

Ferrari's seven-time world champion British driver Lewis Hamilton. Nelson ALMEIDA / AFP
Ferrari's seven-time world champion British driver Lewis Hamilton. Nelson ALMEIDA / AFP
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Hamilton Says Tension with Ferrari Teammate Leclerc 'Squashed'

Ferrari's seven-time world champion British driver Lewis Hamilton. Nelson ALMEIDA / AFP
Ferrari's seven-time world champion British driver Lewis Hamilton. Nelson ALMEIDA / AFP

Lewis Hamilton said he and his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc had "squashed" the tension between them that followed their first lap tangle in Mexico.

He said they had resolved to work together for the team in Sunday's Sao Paulo Grand Prix, AFP reported.

The seven-time champion spoke after qualifying 11th in Saturday's rain-hit qualifying at Interlagos where he will start Sunday's race from the back of the grid after taking a penalty for using two new engines.

When asked if his relationship with Leclerc was improved after team boss Fred Vasseur held clear the air talks with them on Thursday evening, Hamilton said: "Fred hasn't cleared the air. It was me and Charles.

"We sat and we spoke, we squashed it. And we're moving on. We still have a huge amount of respect for each other.

"I'm glad we had a chat and now we move on. We've been getting along just fine, as normal.

"Sometimes in those certain scenarios, it just takes having a conversation.

"There's been no demands from either side. It's just been both of us giving our points in areas we can do better and support each other.

"I'm hoping to have better races now, moving forward."

His comments came amid much discussion of Ferrari's need to introduce "rules of engagement" for their drivers, a notion resisted by Vasseur.

Of his qualifying, he said: "I love qualifying and getting to drive in the rain - and this is such an amazing track to race in all conditions, but in the wet particularly.

"It was really a bit of a practice for me in case it is wet again tomorrow."

Leclerc, who had returned to Monaco after Mexico for the birth of his daughter, qualified fourth but will start 14th due to serving a 10-place penalty for taking a new engine.

He agreed he and Hamilton had sorted out their problems.

"When we speak, things are much better straightaway," he said.

"Of course, there is some tension. We want to finish ahead of each other and sometimes we are not going to do things right, but it's OK to disagree sometimes on the way you see things.

"But discussing things helps a whole lot."

Sports

Too Close for Comfort for Arteta Despite Arsenal’s Fifth Win in a Row

Arsenal v Hull City - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 7, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
Arsenal v Hull City - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 7, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
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Too Close for Comfort for Arteta Despite Arsenal’s Fifth Win in a Row

Arsenal v Hull City - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 7, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
Arsenal v Hull City - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 7, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)

Arsenal earned a sixth ‌Premier League victory by a single-goal margin as they edged a dogged Hull City 1-0 on Saturday but while his side have opened a healthy lead at the top of the table, Mikel Arteta would prefer a little less jeopardy.

Martin Odegaard's 72nd-minute goal after Noni Madueke's shot had been parried by Hull keeper Konstantinos Tzolakis was enough to break Hull's resistance and secure a ninth win for the champions from their first 10 games.

It was not a comfortable ‌afternoon for Arteta, ‌though, as his side had 21 ‌goal ⁠attempts but only ⁠converted once.

"To be more efficient," Arteta told reporters when asked what his side need to do to win by healthier margins.

"We are one against one against the keeper. That's happened twice today. There is a penalty there, there is another situation inside the box where the ball is bouncing. ⁠So many shots that have been deflected, ‌blocked.

"We need to find ways to ‌be more efficient, sometimes even more pragmatic," he added.

"We need ‌to be much more chaotic than that, and that's it. ‌And open, I think, score much earlier because obviously that's going to change the course of the game."

Arsenal were not firing on all cylinders on Saturday but will head into the international ‌break in a dominant position after five successive league wins since losing to Brighton & ⁠Hove Albion ⁠ahead of the first international stoppage.

They are six points clear of stuttering Manchester City and look to be overwhelming favorites for back-to-back titles.

"I think it is time to praise my players. What they have done not only today but after the international break is remarkable because of the games," Arteta said.

"We are not in a really strong position. We know that we can improve in a lot of areas and we'll analyze in this break how we're going to do that. And I will know what to expect afterwards because it's going to be super difficult."

Sports

Real Madrid Beat Valencia as Spanish Football Honors De Miguel

Valencia and Real Madrid players observe a minute's silence in memory of the Tenerife player, Jesus De Miguel, prior LaLiga EA Sports game between Valencia and Real Madrid at Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, 07 November 2026. (EPA)
Valencia and Real Madrid players observe a minute's silence in memory of the Tenerife player, Jesus De Miguel, prior LaLiga EA Sports game between Valencia and Real Madrid at Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, 07 November 2026. (EPA)
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Real Madrid Beat Valencia as Spanish Football Honors De Miguel

Valencia and Real Madrid players observe a minute's silence in memory of the Tenerife player, Jesus De Miguel, prior LaLiga EA Sports game between Valencia and Real Madrid at Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, 07 November 2026. (EPA)
Valencia and Real Madrid players observe a minute's silence in memory of the Tenerife player, Jesus De Miguel, prior LaLiga EA Sports game between Valencia and Real Madrid at Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, 07 November 2026. (EPA)

Real Madrid pulled level with La Liga leaders Barcelona with a 3-0 win at Valencia on Saturday, as Spanish football paid tribute to Jesus de Miguel.

Tenerife striker De Miguel died Tuesday after a collision with Andorra's goalkeeper in a Spanish second division match on Monday, and matches across the country were stopped in the ninth minute to pay homage to the number nine.

In Tenerife, fans and players gathered at the stadium for a memorial and farewell to De Miguel.

"You knew what it meant to work towards a common goal, you understood football as something that went far beyond oneself," said Tenerife captain Enric Gallego in an emotional speech.

"Just a few days ago, we were sharing all of that with you -- today we have to speak of you in the past tense. It's terribly unfair."

De Miguel's funeral took place on Thursday and around 400 mourners attended, including Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

Spain's footballers' union had asked for all weekend matches to be paused as a mark of respect, but most games went ahead.

There was a minute of silence before kick-off for De Miguel and matches were stopped for a minute's applause in the ninth minute -- his shirt number.

- 'This team smells good' -

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe scored for the seventh match running in the win over 10-man Valencia.

Reigning champions Barca visit Atletico Madrid, third, on Sunday, aiming to move back clear of the chasing pack.

Jose Mourinho's Madrid largely dominated at Mestalla stadium as they secured an eighth win in a row across all competitions.

Federico Valverde and Arda Guler's first half goals put Madrid in the driving seat and Mbappe added a third in the second half.

"From my experience, this team smells good," Mourinho told reporters.

The Madrid coach said his team did not lose their heads after their last defeat, by Atletico Madrid on September 20, after which their winning run began.

"We never had chaos, we've been calm, we understand why we lost that game," said Mourinho.

"I always fight for people to be balanced in the good moments, I always tell them that winning games in a team like Real Madrid, you can't be taken up in a whirlwind of joy, winning games at Real Madrid has to be normality."

Los Blancos were without winger Vinicius Junior, who was serving the final game of a four-match ban.

Madrid have thrived in his absence, putting heavy pressure on Barca, whom they beat in the Camp Nou Clasico on October 25.

Valencia's Guido Rodriguez had a goal disallowed for offside before Mourinho's side took control.

Valverde drilled Madrid ahead from outside the area after Mbappe's free-kick was blocked by the Valencia wall and fell to the Uruguayan.

Guler soon doubled the lead, after Jude Bellingham's cross was deflected kindly into his path.

Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski saved from Guler, Mbappe and Jude Bellingham as Madrid tried to find a third to kill off the game.

Eventually Mbappe produced it, bursting onto a dangerous pass by Guler to dart past Dimitrievski and squeeze home his 13th league goal of the campaign.

It was the forward's 17th goal in 16 games across all competitions. Mbappe has netted in his last seven appearances for Madrid.

Valencia captain Jose Gaya was dismissed with around 10 minutes remaining for a late sliding foul on Mbappe to further spoil Javier Aguirre's team's night. Los Che are 19th, a point from safety.

"We knew it would be a tough game, facing Madrid at their best moment of the season," Gaya told DAZN.

"We tried in the second half, changed our system... but we couldn't get into the game."

Earlier new Espanyol coach Eder Sarabia's side were held to a goalless home draw by Deportivo La Coruna.

Osasuna snatched a late 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao, while Racing Santander came from behind to beat Malaga 2-1.