Ligue 1 Leads Europe’s Top 5 Leagues with Profitable Summer Transfer Window

While clubs across Europe’s major leagues splashed the cash this summer, it was Ligue 1 that emerged as the most financially efficient. The French top flight recorded a net profit of €303 million — making it the only league among Europe’s "Big Five" to end the window in the black.

According to final figures, Ligue 1 clubs spent a combined €662 million on incoming transfers but sold players worth a staggering €965 million. That’s nearly double the net earnings of the Bundesliga and significantly ahead of Serie A, La Liga, and especially the Premier League, where total spending exceeded €3 billion.

Frugal Spending Pays Off

Unlike the free-spending English clubs, French sides kept a tighter grip on their wallets — and it paid dividends. Notably, Strasbourg shocked observers by outspending Paris Saint-Germain, investing €127.5 million compared to PSG’s €103 million.

Still, PSG managed to balance their books largely thanks to the sale of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to Manchester City for €30 million — a key deal that prevented a major deficit in Paris.

Winners and Losers in France

The biggest financial shortfall belonged to Paris FC, who ended the window with a €57 million deficit. On the other end of the spectrum, smart business from AS Monaco, Lille, and Olympique Lyonnais turned transfer activity into pure profit, cementing their reputations as some of the savviest operators in the French market.