Premier League runs up $614m transfer deficit
Friday, 10 October 2014
LONDON, Oct 9 (AFP): The English Premier League ran up a record $614 million deficit in its pre-season purchases of foreign football stars but more than covered its spending with extra TV and rights earnings around the world, a report said Thursday.
English clubs led by Manchester United spent 579.3 million pounds ($938 million) recruiting imports in the July-August transfer window, Barclays Football Balance of Trade report said.
Foreign clubs spent £200 million on English players leaving the Premier League with a trade deficit of £379.1 million ($614 million) -- seven times higher than Germany's Bundesliga in second place. China, notably, had the third highest football trade deficit as it brings in foreign players to boost its Super League.