More than 70% of transfer fees invested by big-5 league clubs during last summer were "paid to other clubs taking part in the five major European championships," according to CIES FOOTBALL OBSERVATORY. AS Monaco "received the highest amount" at €202M ($226M), add-ons included. Monaco also recorded the "most positive net transfer spend" with €121M ($135M). Champions League clubs are "over-represented" in the top rankings of clubs that have generated "the most incomes in transferring players to other teams." Among the top 15 ranked clubs, "only Monaco, Liverpool and Aston Villa did not qualify for the group stage of the '15-16 Champions League." However, the teams generating the most income on the transfer market "are also among teams who invested the most for new signings." Consequently, among the 15 clubs with the most positive net transfer spend, "only Wolfsburg and Sevilla take part in the group stage of the current Champions League edition." Man City, PSG, ManU and Real Madrid, "some of the wealthiest European clubs," are among the 15 clubs with "the most negative net transfer spend" (CIES FOOTBALL OBSERVATORY, 9/22).
