The European Football Transfer Window Sets Record With $9.89bn Spending

Clubs spent $9.89 billion during a record-breaking European football transfer window, with deadline-day activity providing a final burst of movement. Crystal Palace completed a loan deal for FC Midtjylland attacker Darío Osorio, Fulham signed Real Madrid midfielder Manuel Ángel permanently and Barcelona sent Marc Casadó to Deportivo La Coruña for a season. The window also ended with several Ghanaian internationals still without clubs.

Palace’s agreement for Osorio was one of the most complicated late moves. The 22-year-old Chile international joined the UEFA Conference League winners on loan, with the Premier League club paying a €1.7 million loan fee. The agreement includes an option to buy for about €25.7m, plus a further €3.4m in possible bonuses. If all elements are triggered, the total could exceed €30m.

The scale of the possible permanent deal reflects Osorio’s form for Midtjylland. He produced eight goals and 10 assists in 49 appearances last season, then began the new campaign with two goals and three assists. His progress attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, as well as Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad. Hull City, Fulham, Brighton and Hove Albion, Leeds United, Liverpool and Everton had also been linked with him during the previous month.

Palace eventually became the only club left in the race and agreed a higher fee with Midtjylland. Negotiations continued deep into deadline day before the clubs reached an agreement. The Danish club’s potential return would make Osorio its record sale if Palace exercises the purchase clause and the bonuses are paid. He could make his Premier League debut against Fulham on Saturday.

Palace had been involved in another intense deadline-day contest before completing the Osorio deal. The London club battled Sunderland for Lyon winger Malick Fofana, but Sunderland won the race after Lyon had reached an agreement with both the player and the English club. Palace then finished its window with Osorio as its final addition.

Fulham’s permanent signing of Ángel gave another prominent academy product a new route into regular senior football. Real Madrid confirmed that the midfielder had left the Santiago Bernabéu after joining the club at 14 and making his first-team debut this year. The move ended his seven-year association with Madrid’s system before he had established himself as a regular at the Spanish giants.

Barcelona also confirmed Casadó’s departure on deadline day, sending the defensive midfielder to Deportivo La Coruña on a season-long loan. Casadó leaves with 75 appearances for Barcelona, one goal and seven assists. During that period, the 22-year-old won two LaLiga titles, one Copa del Rey and two Spanish Super Cups. His loan gives him the opportunity to continue his career away from the Catalan club while remaining under contract there.

The close of the window did not provide every player with a new club. Ghana captain Jordan Ayew became unattached after Leicester City allowed his contract to expire at the end of last season. He had joined NAC Breda on a short-term agreement in December and helped the Dutch club in its battle against relegation, but NAC chose not to extend the deal after the season. Mubarak Wakaso has been without a club since leaving the Chinese Super League in January 2024, while goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott became a free agent after his Crawley Town contract ended.

Joseph Aidoo also became available after leaving Celta Vigo following seven years with the Spanish club. Majeed Ashimeru ended his five-year association with Anderlecht after the parties agreed to terminate his contract. Hakim Sulemana, Tariq Fosu-Henry, Kwabena Owusu and Joselpho Barnes are among the other Ghanaian players without clubs. The end of the main European window does not close every route: Turkey’s window remains open until September 4, 2026, Portugal’s until September 15 and Saudi Arabia’s until October 12. Clubs can also sign unattached players outside those dates, subject to squad-registration rules.