La Liga Teams Spending Way Less In Transfer Market Than In Past Years

La Liga clubs have spent 83% less in transfer market signings this year, more evidence that Spain's "economic crisis is affecting all sectors," including football, according to ECODIARIO.es. The numbers "are ridiculous" when compared to those of previous years. At this time in '11, La Liga clubs had spent a total of €385M. In comparison, the number this year is €65M ($80M). It is possible that if Real Madrid and Barcelona sign Lucas Modric and Alexander Song respectively, as rumors have suggested, that number could climb by another €50M ($61.6M). Even then, the number would not be close to previous years. The combined €490M ($603.7M) in debt that La Liga clubs have piled up, "is one of the things that has stopped Spanish teams from signing stars." Teams are having to be passive when it comes to making signings but are forced to sell assets.The €96M spent by Real Madrid to sign Ronaldo from ManU back in '09 "is much more than what has been spent by all the Primera teams this year" (ECODIARIO.es, 8/18).