The "record-breaking fees paid during the recent transfer window are unlikely to fall in the near future and are sustainable for the modern game," agent and transfer market expert Esteve Calzada said, according to Simon Evans of REUTERS. Former Barcelona Head of Marketing & Commercial Operations Calzada unveiled his company Prime Time Sport's "biannual Football Transfer Review study" on Monday. The report found that spending on player fees increased by 16% across the top five leagues in Europe, "the fifth successive year of growth." But Calzada said that with the exception of Paris St. Germain, the money spent was "within budgets" and that "even top clubs were now generating money through player sales." Calzada added, "For the first time, the growth is not only justified by television rights income but is also justified by the money the clubs have made from trading and selling players." The Spaniard said that the rising transfer fees were "not a sign that the game is in poor financial health." Calzada: "As long as the incomes from teams continues to grow we will continue to see the money spent on transfers and that growth can also come from player sales" (REUTERS, 9/4).
PORTUGUESE PROFITS: BLOOMBERG's David Hellier reported as European football clubs set records with player transfers, Portuguese clubs are "leading the way in cashing in," according to a study. Two of the country's top teams -- Benfica and Porto -- "head a ranking of profits from player trading," with an aggregated balance of €65M ($77.5M) and €58.2M ($69.4M), respectively, for the '14-15 and '15-16 seasons, accounting firm KPMG said. The Portuguese clubs "have become experts at producing players that appeal to the acquisitive giants" of European football, including Man City, ManU and Bayern Munich. Close behind the Portuguese pair are Bundesliga side Schalke and Ligue 1 club Olympique de Marseille (BLOOMBERG, 9/4).
