The Brazilian Série A is continuing its impressive growth, and its potential, once a threat to the rest of South America, now extends to European football. With the Brazilian transfer window now closed, the numbers are striking: the league is the second-highest spending in the world, trailing only the Premier League.
The Brasileirão spent €245 million during this winter transfer window. That’s well behind the Premier League’s €453 million, but still secures second place in the rankings. It surpasses Italy’s Serie A, MLS, the Saudi and Turkish leagues, as well as the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and La Liga. The Spanish league only spent €75 million this winter, less than a third of the investment seen in Brazil.
| CAMPEONATO | GASTOS | INGRESOS | BALANCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 453,17 | 332,13 | -121,04 |
| Brasileirao | 245,02 | 194,45 | -50,58 |
| Serie A | 243,59 | 187,20 | -56,39 |
| MLS | 186,21 | 68,44 | -117,77 |
| Saudi Pro League | 147,75 | 53,55 | -94,20 |
| Superliga turca | 125,24 | 82,96 | -42,27 |
| Bundesliga | 106,95 | 32,35 | -74,61 |
| Ligue 1 | 102,10 | 187,85 | 85,75 |
| La Liga | 75,50 | 121,70 | 46,20 |
Major Signings
The biggest signing of the recent window was Lucas Paquetá to Flamengo. The attacking midfielder returned to his former club for a fee exceeding €40 million. A move within reach of very few teams globally, despite interest from clubs like Chelsea. While the Brazilian international hasn’t yet fully shone in his second stint with the Mengão, he’s expected to make a significant impact soon. Center-back Vitão also arrived for €10 million.
Palmeiras also bolstered their squad with Jhon Arias, who returns to Brazil after a brief spell with Wolverhampton. The talented player is set to be a starter for Colombia at the upcoming World Cup and chose the Brasileirão despite opportunities to remain in Europe.
However, it’s not just the traditionally dominant teams in Brazil making significant transfers. Cruzeiro signed Gerson, another Brazilian international, for €27 million. Atlético Mineiro paid seven million for Cassierra and the same amount for Minda, plus an additional five million for Preciado; Grêmio spent over €12 million on Nardoni and Tetê; Fluminense invested over six million to secure Savarino; Vasco da Gama spent more than €10 million on Brenner and Hinestroza, and nearly five million on Andrés Gómez…
These are just a few examples of the financial power of many of Brazil’s top-flight clubs. Most are capable of making substantial investments to further optimize their squads and improve the overall quality of the league. Several of these clubs also still have budget remaining to make additional signings in the short term. Flamengo and Fluminense are targeting reliable strikers, while Palmeiras are dreaming of another major signing following the arrival of Vitor Roque.
while the Brasileirão continues to export young talent to balance the books and ensure sustainability, more and more teams are able to retain their key players for longer periods. This is the case with players like Yuri Alberto at Corinthians, Pablo Maia at São Paulo, and Kevin Serna at Fluminense. Boca were interested in signing Serna, but the Rio club renewed his contract with a salary unattainable for the Argentinian side.
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The last seven Copa Libertadores champions have been Brazilian teams, and all signs point to that dominance continuing this year. Without the presence of River and with a subdued Boca, it’s difficult to see any rivals capable of challenging the Brasileirão’s supremacy. And after Fluminense reached the semifinals of the recent Club World Cup and the other Brazilian teams also impressed, the expectation is that even more powerful clubs will compete with Europe’s giants in the next edition.
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