Chelsea have announced a pre-tax profit of £128.4 million for the year ended 30th June 2024.

That figure is primarily driven by the Premier League club’s £198.7 million profit on disposal of subsidiaries, as well as an £152.2 million profit on disposal of player registrations, and a decrease in operating expenses over the last year.

Last July, Chelsea Women were spun off into a separate entity, as part of a restructuring intended to position the women’s team alongside the men’s.

Chelsea's latest financial statements see them return to profitability, after recording a loss of £90.01 million for 2022/23.

Club see decrease in overall revenue

For 2023/24, Chelsea’s overall revenue fell from £512.5 million to £468.5 million, mainly due to the men’s team’s lack of participation in the UEFA Champions League.

Despite this, commercial revenue saw an increase from £210.1 million to £225.3 million over the last year.
 

Aston Villa present another significant loss

Aston Villa have revealed a loss of £85.4 million after tax for a 13-month period ended 30th June 2024.

This follows a loss of £119.6 million last year, and brings Villa’s combined losses to £205.4 million over the last three years, almost double the Premier League profit and sustainability rules (PSR) threshold of £105 million over a three-year period.

However, the club says they are continuing to operate within the league’s PSR regulations, as these figures are in line with their strategic business plan. Villa made an investment of £16.4 million into the Birmingham club’s infrastructure, up from £13.3 million last year, which can be deducted from their overall losses.

Revenue sees significant increase

Despite Villa’s overall loss for 2023/24, the team's on-pitch success led to a 27.7 per cent uptick in revenue, which rose from £217.7 million to £275.7 million.

The club says this was driven by Villa’s fourth-placed league finish in the Premier League last season, as well as their run to the UEFA Conference League semi-finals.
 

Tottenham reduce loss by £60.6 million as Levy tries to silence critics

Tottenham Hotspur have announced a loss of £26.2 million for the 2023/24 season, down from last year’s loss of £86.8 million. Spurs’ overall revenue saw a four per cent decrease on last year, dropping from £549.6 million in 2022/23 to £528.2 million.

Despite this, the North London club’s Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) increased from £138.7 million to £144.9 million.

The Premier League’s new broadcast deal helped drive Spurs’ TV and media right revenue up from £148.1 million to £165.9 million, alongside the club’s higher league finish of fifth, compared to eighth the previous season.

Spurs’ income across commercial, sponsorship, merchandising, and other revenue increased to £255.2 million, up from £227.7 million in 2022/23.

"We cannot spend what we do not have"

Tottenhams chairman, Daniel Levy, used the financial announcement to address some of the criticism that has been aimed at their transfer policy.

"Since opening our new stadium in April 2019, we have invested over £700 million net in player acquisitions," he said and continued "I often read calls for us to spend more, given that we are ranked as the ninth richest club in the world."

"Our capacity to generate recurring revenues determines our spending power. We cannot spend what we do not have, and we will not compromise the financial stability of this club."
 

Everton to avoid PSR sanctions despite £53.2 million loss for 2023/24

Everton have reported a loss of £53.2 million in the English club’s financial statements for the year ended 30th June 2024, the club have announced. The Merseyside club have now made a loss for seven successive seasons, during which time their have lost a combined £570 million.

Despite this, Everton’s turnover rose from £172.2 million to £186.9 million over the last year. Broadcast revenue increased by £13.2 million to reach £129.2 million, mainly due to higher merit-based prize money, after the club’s higher league position of 15th, compared to 17th the previous year.

During this time, capital costs for Everton’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock surged from £210.9 million last year to £312.7 million for 2023/24. The 52,888-seat venue is set to become the club’s permanent home from the start of the 2025/26 campaign.

Combined loss of £187 million

After revealing a £89 million loss for 2022/23, Everton were docked points by the Premier League, for breaches of its profit and sustainability rules (PSR) regulations, which prohibit teams from losing more than £105 million over a three-year period.

With the club’s latest annual results, Everton have made a combined loss of £187 million over the last three years. However, investments into aspects such as club infrastructure can be deducted from that figure, meaning the team will avoid further PSR sanctions.
 

Nottingham Forest return to profitability for 2023/24

Nottingham Forest have generated record revenue of £189.5 million for the financial year ended 30th June 2024, up from £154.7 million last year.

The Premier League club also reported a profit of £12 million, which marks significant improvement on the club’s loss of £67.2 million for 2022/23.

Last season, the club were docked four points by the Premier League after breaches of the English top flight’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

Operating loss of £73.3 million

The club’s latest financial result were bolstered by the sales of players including Brennan Johnson, Orel Mangala, Odysseas Vlachomidos, and Moussa Niakhate, securing transfer revenue of £100 million.

Forest made an operating loss of £73.3 million for 2023/24, an increase of 20 per cent compared to the previous year, partly due to a 15 per cent increase in wages now up to £166.4 million.
 

Swansea City reveal £15.2 million loss for 2023/24

Swansea City have reported a pre-tax loss of £15.2 million for the 11-month period ended 30th June 2024, the club revealed in a statement.

The Championship club’s latest financial statements mark a slight improvement on 2022/23, when they revealed a loss of £17.9 million. The financial year end was brought forward in order to align with the English Football League’s (EFL) financial reporting period.

The club says extensive investment into their playing squad contributed to an increase in costs, which rose from £43 million last year to £47 million over the last 11 months.

Swansea remain within EFL’s Profitability and Sustainability regulations

Swansea delivered £21.5 million in turnover for the last season, the same as the previous year.

The club meanwhile generated a profit of £10.5 million in player trading, including the transfer of Joel Piroe to Leeds United in summer 2023. This helped the club remain compliant with the EFL’s Profitability and Sustainability regulations, despite the overall loss.

Liverpool owner Fenway Sport Group (FSG) is interested in a takeover of Spanish club Malaga CF, as reported by The Athletic.

According to the report, FSG recently visited Malaga’s facilities in order to weigh up a potential acquisition of the LaLiga 2 club.

Malaga are currently majority owned by Qatari businessman Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani, who holds a 51 per cent stake in the club, with the remaining 49 per cent owned by Spanish hotels and resorts chain Blue Bay.

The US group is reportedly looking to adopt a multi-club ownership model, after previously entering talks to buy French club Bordeaux last summer, before the proposed takeover fell through. A potential acquisition would add to FSG’s existing ownership portfolio, which includes MLB’s Boston Red Sox, and the NHL’s
Pittsburgh Penguins.

QSI also interested in Malaga

Last week, L’Équipe reported that PSG’s ownership group, Qatar Sports Investments, had held talks over a potential €100 million takeover of Malaga.

QSI’s interest is reportedly driven by Malaga’ status as a host for the men’s 2030 FIFA World Cup in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

Arsenal confirm Andrea Berta appointment as sporting director

Arsenal have confirmed the appointment of Andrea Berta as the Premier League club’s new sporting director.

Berta previously spent 12 years at Atletico Madrid, during which time club won two LaLiga titles, the Europa League, and the Copa del Rey, before leaving the Spanish club in January.

The 53-year-old was recently linked with a move to AC Milan, but reportedly turned down the chance to join the Italian giants.

Berta replaces Brazilian former footballer Edu, who resigned as Arsenal’s sporting director in November, ending his five-year-tenure in North London.

Berta reflects on his arrival at the Emirates

“I have watched with great interest the way Arsenal has evolved in recent years and I have admired the hard work that has gone into re-establishing the club as a major force in European football with a passionate following around the world,” said Berta.

“The club has great values and a rich history, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping a successful future with a great team.”

RC Celta Vigo sack CEO and CFO

Celta Vigo president Marian Mouriño has sacked CEO Jose Gainzarain and CFO, Sonia Garcia Morquera, as reported by El Desmarque.

Both executives joined Celta in 2023, following a restructuring at the Spanish club.

According to Spanish media, both Gainzarian and Garcia Morquera fell short of the president’s expectations in terms of sporting, commercial, and social success, and subsequently lost her trust.

“Loss of feeling” resulted in CEO departure

In a letter shared by Mundo Deportivo, now-former CEO Gainzarian cited a “loss of feeling” from Mouriño as a key reason for his exit.

“In the corporate area, we've increased revenue by 40 percent and gross profit by 190 percent compared to the 2022/23 season,” said Gainzarian.

He continued: “This path we've charted over the past year and a half is the one we must follow to try to make up for the gap left by sports spending in two or three years and avoid having to rely on extraordinary player sales. In other words, we must become self-sufficient and balance income and expenses.”

Media: Man City sponsorship payments were facilitated by aide to Abu Dhabi ruler

The individual who facilitated sponsorship payments to Manchester City, in a deal that is under investigation by the Premier League, was also an aide to UAE president and Abu Dhabi ruler Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ), as reported by The Athletic.

According to the report, Jaber Mohamed, who brokered sponsorship payments to the club totalling £30 million, was also serving as general director of the Crown Prince’s Court (CPC), a UAE governed entity that controls the public affairs of MBZ.

Another City board member also reportedly held a senior position at the CPC at the time.

UEFA’s investigation

In 2020, UEFA suspended City from European club competitions for two years, after its Club Financial Control Board (CFCB) found the two £15 million payments to the club from UAE state-owned telecommunications company Etisalat, which were facilitated by Mohamed.

The payments were deemed by the CFCB as "disguised equity funding", which was a breach of UEFA's financial fair play (FFP) regulations.

In the CFCB’s judgement, which was shared by The Athletic, Mohamed is described as “a person in the business of providing financial and brokering services to commercial entities in the UAE.”

UEFA's suspension was overruled by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), however European football's governing body would later reveal Mohamed as the one who brokered these payments in an unredacted report.

Fulham report £33.4 million loss for 2023/24

Fulham have revealed a loss of £33.4 million for the year ended 30th June 2024, an increase on last year’s figure of £26 million.

Fulham saw a slight decrease in revenue over the last year, which dropped from £182.3 million for 2022/23 to £181.6 million in 2023/24. Although commercial revenue saw an uptick from £22.7 million to £28.7 million, broadcast revenue dropped from £144.5 million to £134.5 million.

Meanwhile, the West London club saw their total costs rise from £208.7 million to £213.7 million over the last year.

New Riverside stand

In Fullham’s financial statements for 2023/24, the club also confirmed that the new Riverside stand at Craven Cottage is set to open in the ‘second of third quarter’ of 2025.

Last July, the club secured a £125 million loan from JP Morgan Chase Bank, in order to help with the completion of the new stand, which is repayable in full within five years.

Newcastle United eye Manchester United executive as new CEO

Newcastle United are reportedly considering Manchester United’s chief operating officer, Collette Roche, as a candidate to become the club’s new CEO, as reported by The Telegraph.

Roche has held her current role at Old Trafford since joining the club in 2018, and has taken on additional responsibilities since the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as part-owner last year.

Roche has played a significant role in the development of United’s new stadium plans, which were revealed earlier this month. The reported £2 billion, 100,000-seat venue is expected to be completed in time for the 2030/31 season.

Blood cancer diagnosis

In September, Newcastle announced that their current CEO, Darren Eales, would be stepping down, following his blood cancer diagnosis.

Eales, who joined the club in 2022 after an eight-year tenure at MLS club Atlanta United, will remain in his position until a new CEO is appointed.

Leyton Orient are set for an £18 million takeover led by a US consortium

In February, the League One club confirmed that they had entered exclusive talks with a potential buyer over a reported 70 per cent stake. According to The Guardian, this group is being led by Fubo TV founder David Gandler, and includes UK businessman Kit Hawkins, and Neil Liebman, an executive at MLB’s Texas Rangers.

Last year, Orient’s current chairman, Nigel Travis, revealed plans to seek additional investment in the East London club. The Dunkin Donuts owner led a consortium that purchased the club in 2017, in a move that ended a period of financial difficulties.

For 2023/24, the Orient reported record revenue of £7.7 million, although the club still made an overall loss of £3.7 million.

Plans for a London-based American football team

According to The Guardian, Orient’s prospective new ownership group are interested in forming a new American football franchise as part of the club, which would compete in the European League of Football - a professional American football league based in Europe.

If this came to fruition, they would become the first British team to join the competition, which currently comprises 16 teams.

Eagle Football Group, the owner of Crystal Palace and Lyon, has revealed a net loss of €117 million for the six-month period ended 31st December 2024.

The organisation has cited a decline in player sales over the first half of the 2024/25 season as a key factor in the overall loss, compared to last year’s figure of €60.6 million for the same period. Despite this, revenue excluding player trading saw a seven per cent increase on 2023/24, reaching €82.9 million.

Eagle Football Group also reported an EBITDA of €46.1 million, compared to €7.6 million last year. The company says this is primarily due to an increase in personnel costs, which rose by 17 per cent over the last year.

Projections for the rest of 2024/25

Reflecting on Eagle Football’s latest financial statements, analyst Trion Reid said in a comment: “This is the largest H1 net loss in the club’s history and is alone larger than the largest annual net loss of €107 million in 2021.”

Despite this, the analyst said: ”EBITDA in 2025/26 is expected to be “strong” despite a lower revenue outlook given the reduced domestic TV income, as a result of the cost reduction plan and the “completion and termination of numerous high-value player contracts that were inherited from prior management.”
 

Premier League adds additional summer transfer window due to Club World Cup

The Premier League has revealed an additional summer transfer window, which will be open between 1st and 10th June, in order to accommodate the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

The window will later reopen on 16th June, and will close on 1st September.

Two English clubs will compete in the expanded, 32-team tournament this summer, namely Chelsea and Manchester City. The extra window will enable both teams to conduct transfer business before the tournament, which will take place from 14th June to 13th July.

Premier League opts against earlier transfer deadline

As reported earlier this week, English football’s top flight was considering bringing the end of this summer’s window forward to 14th August, which would mean all transfer activity would have concluded before the new season kick off on 16th August.

However one potential disadvantage to this would be to persuade other elite European domestic leagues to shut their transfer windows earlier. Therefore, the Premier League’s shareholders have opted not to change the end date of the window at this time.
 

Spain’s 2030 World Cup committee president resigns over host venue controversy

Maria Tato, president of Spain’s 2030 World Cup committee, has resigned, following a scandal regarding the venue selection proces for the tournament.

A report from El Mundo earlier this month alleged that Tato altered the selection criteria for prospective venues at the World Cup. Anoeta Stadium, the home of Real Sociedad, was subsequently added as a host venue, in place of Celta Vigo’s Estadio de Belaidos.

The removal of Vigo as a host destination drew significant backlash from the city, whose mayor, Abel Caballero, had said: “We demand to know who made the changes, why they were made, and based on which criteria.”

Host selection controversy

In a document shared by El Mundo, the Estadio Balaidos was initially listed as the 11th venue in the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s (RFEF) rankings, ahead of the tournament, with the top 11 stadiums set to serve as hosts for the World Cup.

However, a second document, which was sent to FIFA two days later, lists the Anoeta Stadium in the 11th spot, with Vigo’ home dropped down to 12th place.
 

Ex-RFEF president facing 15 and a half year prison sentence

The Spanish public prosecutor’s office is seeking a 15 and a half year prison sentence for former Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Angel Maria Villar, on grounds of alleged corruption and embezzlement, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.

Villar served as RFEF president from 1988 until 2017, when he was suspended and later sacked by Spain’s administrative court for sport on suspicion of improper management, misappropriation of funds, corruption, and falsifying documents.

The former Spanish football head has been accused of defrauding the RFEF of €4.5 million in funds between 2007 and 2017.

Villar’s son and former RFEF vice president also involved in the case

The prosecutors are alleging that Villar arranged friendly matches involving the Spanish national team, and producing contracts around the fixtures that would benefit both himself, and his son Gorka. These games include friendlies against South Korea, Chile, Venezuela, Peru, and Colombia.

Former RFEF vice president, Juan Padron, is also among the eight people implicated in the trial, and is facing a six and a half year prison sentence.
 

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will feature a prize purse of $1 billion, which will be distributed among the 32 competing teams, football's global governing body has announced.

FIFA has also revealed that the winner of the competition will pocket $125 million. $475 million of the overall prize pot will be based on sporting performance, while the remaining $525 million will be based on participation.

European clubs will earn between $12.81 million to $38.19 million for taking part in the competition, while South American teams will receive $15.21 million.

Clubs from North, Central America, and the Caribbean, Asia, and Africa will each receive $9.55 million, while teams from Oceania will be paid $3.58 million.

Expanded Club World Cup model

This year’s Club World Cup marks the first edition of the tournament under a revamped format, which has seen it expand from six teams to 32 teams.

The tournament will be staged in the US between 14th June and 13th July.
 

PSG owner QSI in talks to buy Malaga

PSG majority owner Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) is interested in buying Spanish club Malaga CF, as reported by L’Équipe.

QSI are said to be in advanced talks to purchase the LaLiga 2 team for a fee of €100 million. Malaga CF are currently owned by Bluebay, Spanish hotel and real estate group, and Qatari businessman Abdullah Al Thani.

QSI’s interest in the Spanish club is partially due to the city hosting matches during the 2030 FIFA men’s World Cup and the tourism the city attracts.

QSI’s growing sports empire

Once complete, any potential takeover would see QSI expand its sports investment portfolio, which also includes SC Braga, Premier Padel, the Audi Formula 1 tea and the Washington Wizards.

Since QSI first acquired PSG in 2011, the group has presided over a trophy-laden tenure at the club, during which they have won ten Ligue 1 titles.
 

Chelsea Supporters’ Trust calls for Premier League to take action against Todd Boehly

Chelsea Supporters’ Trust has called for the Premier League to take action against minority owner Todd Boehly, due to his ownership of ticket resale website Vivid Seats.

In an open letter addressed to Premier League CEO Richard Masters, the Trust said it was “dismayed” to discover the US businessman’s involvement with the platform, of which he owns a 41 per cent stake.

The Trust cited concerns from fans that this constitutes a “breach of trust” and “clear conflict of interest,” highlighting the fact that Vivid Seats has listed hundreds of Chelsea FC general admission tickets at inflated prices.

Vivid Seats selling tickets for up to £20,000

Despite being listed by the league as an ‘unauthorised ticketing website’, Vivid Seats enables customers outside of the UK to buy and sell match tickets unofficially.

As mentioned in the letter, tickets are being sold on the platform at inflated prices of up to almost £20,000 for Liverpool’s final home game of the season against Crystal Palace.
 

FC Porto to raise bond to €50 million

FC Porto are set to increase their bond issue to €50 million, the Portuguese club have revealed.

Porto initially launched a €30 million bond issue in December, which helped raise €21 million for the club.

The new bond loan will take effect from 2nd April, and will run until 2028 with an interest rate of 5.5 per cent.

President says club are “on the right track”

Andre Villas-Boas, the president of FC Porto, said the club is “on the right path to achieving financial sustainability,” in an interview with Journal de Notícias on Wednesday.

He continued: ”In two markets we made €173 million in sales, which is very high,” adding that he was proud to see that the club has “recovered all its credibility in the international banking sector.”
 

PSG have chosen the southern Parisian suburb of Massy as the site for the club’s new €1 billion, 90,000-seat stadium, as reported by L’Éssentiel de l’Éco.

According to the French publication, the Ligue 1 champions have been engaged in consultations and visits for months.

The move will see PSG leave the Parc des Princes, which has been their home since 1974.

New venue to support PSG’s long-term objectives

The decision to leave the city of Paris for Massy, which is around 15 km outside of the French capital, follows years of unsuccessful negotiations over the sale of the Parc des Princes.

PSG reportedly favour the construction of a new venue, which would align better with the club’s long term ambitions, both on and off the pitch.

New San Siro construction to cost €1.2 billion

The reconstruction of the San Siro stadium will cost €1.2 billion, according to a dossier presented by AC Milan and Inter Milan to the Municipality of Milan on Tuesday 25th March.

Earlier this month, both clubs submitted an offer to buy the stadium and its surrounding area.

According to Calcio Finanza, the new stadium will have a capacity of 71,500, and will account for €700 million of the overall figure.

New venue to be completed by 2031

After acquiring the San Siro site, the Milan clubs plan to complete the construction of the new venue by 2031.

Included within the project are plans to build a new hotel, museum, offices, and a green area.

Bournemouth report £66.2 million loss for 2023/24

Premier League club AFC Bournemouth have posted a pre-taxation loss of £66.2 million for the period ended 30th June 2024.

This marks a significant departure from Bournemouth’s statements for the 2022/23 season, during which they made a profit of £44.5 million. The club attributes this to increases in staff costs and amortisation, in relation to the club’s increase in revenue.

Despite this, Bournemouth’s directors deem the club’s financial situation to be ‘satisfactory’.

Cherries see revenue increase

Over the last year, Bournemouth’s turnover increased from £141 million to £160.8 million. The club cited the team’s higher-placed league finish (12th) in the 2023/24 season as a key driver in this.

Currently placed 10th in the English top flight, Bournemouth look set to retain their Premier League status for next season, as they target further commercial growth going forward.

Dan Ashworth set for new FA role

Former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth is set to take up a senior role at England’s Football Association (FA), as reported by The Telegraph.

The 54-year-old was sacked by the Premier League club in December, following a brief five-month tenure at Old Trafford.

Ashworth is now set for a new position at the FA, where he will be tasked with overseeing the renovation of St. George’s Park, the dedicated training facility for England’s national teams.

A return to the FA

Ashworth previously served as director of elite development at the FA from 2012 to 2018, before his tenure at Premier League club’s Brighton, and then Newcastle.

Despite his short stint at United, Ashworth’s appointment and departure cost the club £4.1 million, as revealed in their recent financial accounts.

Ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini acquitted of corruption charges

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and French football legend Michel Platini have been acquitted of corruption charges in a Swiss court, following allegations of fraud.

The trial centred around a payment of 2 million Swiss francs. (£1.6 million) from Blatter to Platini in 2011, which both figures claim was an overdue payment for Platini’s previous work as a presidential adviser whilst at FIFA.

Although Blatter and Platini were both cleared of fraud charges in 2022, Swiss federal prosecutors subsequently appealed the ruling.

Blatter hails “justice” after verdict

"Finally, the court has dispensed justice and for me, my family and my friends,” said Blatter, following the ruling on Tuesday 25th March. "I'm full of emotion right now.”

Meanwhile, Platini’s lawyer told reporters that they will now look to initiate legal action against the prosecutors.

Lamine Yamal has taken the football world by storm with his performances for both club and country. In the summer of 2024, he celebrated his 17th birthday just a day before helping Spain win the EUROs, earning the Young Player of the Tournament award in the process.

But beyond Lamine Yamal, how does the next generation of talent stack up globally?

We have analysed the 13 biggest leagues in the world using the Off The Pitch Player Valuation Tool to identify the most valuable players aged 18 and under.

The results reveal a staggering €912 million worth of talent in this age group. According to our model, eight players have already surpassed the €25 million mark — five of whom are just 17 years old.

Plenty of young prospects in Spain

In Spain, we find the famed FC Barcelona academy, La Masia. The club’s dire financial situation over the past couple of years has forced them to rely heavily on young talent from their academy. 

Fortunately, this strategy has paid off, with Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí emerging as the two most valuable players aged 18 and under.

Yamal carries a transfer valuation of €158 million, though his value is slightly impacted by his contract, which expires in July 2026. Due to La Liga regulations for players under 18, his current deal is limited in length. However, Yamal has expressed his desire to renew his contract once he turns 18.

Despite his commitment to the club, FC Barcelona’s ongoing financial struggles make it difficult to offer lucrative long-term deals, potentially opening the door to interest from other clubs.

Meanwhile, Cubarsí is valued at €85.2 million, making him the fourth most valuable centre-back in the world. Unlike Yamal, his future at FC Barcelona is more secure. Having turned 18 in January, he quickly signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until 2029, with a staggering €500 million release clause.

At the Catalan club’s rival, Real Madrid, Endrick is the only player among the 10 most valuable young talents. In 2022, Real Madrid reached an agreement with Palmeiras for his transfer, set to take effect when he turned 18. The reported fee was €47.5 million, excluding bonuses.

At present, his value stands slightly below that figure at €44 million. Limited game time in Real Madrid’s stacked attacking line-up has made it difficult for Endrick to showcase his full potential and boost his market value.

Brazilian winger Estêvão is following a similar path to Endrick. Chelsea have reached an agreement with Palmeiras for his transfer, set to take effect when he turns 18. Currently, his valuation stands at €41.5 million, but Chelsea are securing him for a fee of only €34 million.

Interestingly, Chelsea have reportedly signed another player from the list of the 10 most expensive young talents. Geovany Quenda, a 17-year-old right winger from Sporting Lisbon, has attracted attention despite scoring just one goal in the Portuguese league this season. He is currently valued at €34.5 million.

Another promising player is French midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille. At just 17, he is already valued at €27 million, highlighting his immense potential. Despite his young age, he has made his mark in Ligue 1 and is considered one of France’s most exciting prospects.

English talents in the Premier League

In England, no standout young superstar has emerged, but there is a strong pool of young talent spread across the Premier League and the Championship.1

In North London, two young talents have broken into Arsenal’s first team. Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri have both taken advantage of injuries in the squad to earn valuable minutes. Nwaneri, valued at €35 million, has benefited from regular playing time and has made goal contributions in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

Arsenal’s injury problems have played a major role in their rise. With key attackers like Saka, Havertz, and Martinelli sidelined, Arteta has turned to Nwaneri to fill the gaps in attack. In defence, injuries have created an opening for Lewis-Skelly, who currently holds a market valuation of €15.25 million.

Newly crowned Carabao Cup winners Newcastle also have a promising young talent in Lewis Miley. At just 18 years old, he is already valued at €22 million. Miley broke into the first team last season but has struggled with injuries this campaign.

Across the River Tyne, Sunderland have their own rising star in 17-year-old Chris Rigg, who has played almost every game this season. Currently valued at €16 million, he could be a key figure in Sunderland’s future.

Which league has the most talent value?

To determine which leagues have the most valuable young talent, we summed the player values for each of the 13 biggest leagues.

La Liga has a total of €313 million in value, followed by the Premier League at €139 million.

South American leagues continue to produce young talent, despite top European clubs scouting and signing players early in their careers. The Brazilian and Argentinian leagues alone account for €94 million and €29.5 million worth of talent under the age of 19, respectively.

The Saudi Pro League has by far the fewest young talents among the major leagues, with just €1.25 million worth of players under the age of 19 — more than ten times less than the Dutch league, which ranks second to last in this category.

In recent years, the Saudi Pro League has made headlines for its massive spending on star players, bringing in names like Neymar, Duran, and Ivan Toney. However, when it comes to developing young talent, the Saudi league appears to be falling short.

While top clubs like Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr compete with Europe’s elite in transfer market spending, they significantly lag in talent production. The data suggests that there are virtually no noteworthy under-19 prospects in the entire league.

One factor to consider is that the Saudi Pro League only recently lowered the age restriction for player eligibility from 18 to 16 at the start of the 2023/24 season. Having players under the age of 18 is a very new phenomenon in the league, which could help explain the current lack of young talent.

Crisis opens opportunity

For players under the age of 19 to break into top clubs, they must either perform exceptionally well in training or receive opportunities due to squad issues.

There is no doubt that La Masia has a history of producing world-class talent, with legends like Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta emerging from the academy. However, having regular starters at just 17 years old is a relatively new trend for FC Barcelona.

Between 2017 and 2020, Barcelona spent massive sums to replace Neymar, signing Coutinho, Dembélé, and Griezmann. Following a financial mess and league restrictions, the club has shifted its focus back to its academy, which has proven successful.

FC Barcelona still recruits senior players in the transfer market, such as Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Dani Olmo, but La Masia talents now have a direct pathway into the first team.

Lamine Yamal is still just 17 years old and made his debut at 15 in March 2023, becoming the youngest player ever to play for the club.

His talent is undeniable, as he has consistently proven. However, if FC Barcelona had not faced financial struggles, it's possible Yamal wouldn’t have progressed as quickly as he has today.

Chelsea’s ownership group could reportedly split over the club’s stadium plans, majority owner Todd Boehly has said in an interview with Bloomberg.

The Premier League team are exploring two options regarding their home venue, going forward. The first of these involves the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge, which would see their longtime home expand to 40,000 seats. Alternatively, Chelsea are also reportedly considering building a new stadium in Earl’s Court.

BlueCo, the Boehly-led consortium comprising Clearlake Capital, Hansjörg Wyss, and Mark Walter, completed a reported £2.5 billion takeover of Chelsea in 2022. Reports of a rift between the owners emerged in September, with both parties reportedly interested in buying the other out to become the club’s sole owner.

Stadium plans integral to club ownership’s alignment

“We have to think long term about what we’re trying to accomplish,” Boehly told Bloomberg.

“We have a big stadium development opportunity that we have to flesh out. That’s going to be where we’re either aligned or we ultimately decide to go different ways.”

Premier League clubs discuss earlier transfer window deadline

Premier League clubs are set to vote on ending the summer transfer window earlier on 14th August, as reported by The Telegraph.

If approved, the move would see the window close two days before the 2025/26 season kicks off on 16th August. By comparison, last season’s summer window closed on 30th August, two weeks after the campaign began on 16th August.

If this receives the green light, one potential challenge for the Premier League would be to convince Europe’s other elite leagues to follow suit in adopting an earlier transfer deadline.

Next steps

Clubs will vote on the proposal during a Premier League clubs meeting on Thursday 27th March, with 14 votes needed in order for the motion to pass.

The aforementioned proposals were reportedly discussed during a previous meeting in February, amid complaints of the overlap period with the season in play and the window still open.

San Siro sale investigated by Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office

The proposed sale of the San Siro to AC Milan and Inter Milan is being investigated by the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office, as reported by Calcio Finanza.

The opening of the investigation follows a complaint filed by Luigi Corbani, the president of the Is Meazza committee, which aims to protect the iconic stadium.

Earlier this month, plans for a new stadium at the San Siro site were give the green light by the Municipality of Milan, after both Milan clubs submitted a feasibility plan and proposal for the acquisition of the venue.

San Siro site to be sold for the right price

The fee for the purchase of the San Siro and its surrounding area is central to the investigation. The area has a combined valuation of €197 million, of which the stadium itself accounts for €73 million, and the surrounding site makes up the remaining €124 million.

As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, there have been discussions of an €80 million discount for the removal of demolition rubble, which would be covered by the Municipality of Milan.

Mexican team Club Leon have been ejected from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, for failure to align with FIFA’s multi-club ownership regulations.

Two Mexican teams, Club Leon and CF Pachuca, had both qualified for the competition, but share the same owner in Grupo Pachuca.

The FIFA Appeal Committee released a statement that said the clubs failed to fit within the criteria regarding multi-club ownership, with a replacement for Leon set to be revealed in due course.

This year’s expanded Club World Cup, which will comprise 32 clubs for the first time, will be held in the US between 14th June and 13th July.

Club Leon threaten legal action

A statement from Leon in response to FIFA’s ruling said: ‘Club Leon expresses its disagreement with the decision made by Fifa, which could exclude us from the next Club World Cup.

‘Should Club Leon be prevented from participating in the 2025 Club World Cup with the same rights with which it earned a place on the pitch, we will pursue the matter to the fullest extent possible in the highest sporting courts.’

LaLiga president demands tougher action against tech companies enabling piracy

LaLiga president Javier Tebas urges other leagues and authorities to take a stronger stance against piracy, warning that major tech companies are facilitating illegal activities that harm the football industry.

“We have to be clear and take a stand against companies that facilitate piracy,” Tebas told Off The Pitch at a LaLiga event in Tarragona, Spain.

LaLiga has been at the forefront of the fight against audiovisual piracy, implementing technology to detect and block illegal streaming activities. However, Tebas pointed out that while LaLiga can block 100 out of 400 piracy incidents committed through Cloudflare, the problem persists on a much larger scale. The Spanish league has been sharing its technology with other countries to aid in combating the issue.

Legal action

To reinforce its stance, LaLiga has taken legal action against Google, accusing the tech giant of cooperating with and profiting from criminal activities by allowing pirated content to be accessible through its platforms. The league has also condemned Cloudflare for enabling piracy operations.

LaLiga estimates that audiovisual piracy drains approximately €600 million annually from the league and its clubs. Tebas stressed that only a collective effort, including legal action and improved cooperation between leagues and digital platforms, can effectively curb the issue.

Reading forced to find buyer after owner disqualified by EFL

English club Reading’s owner, Dai Yongge, has been disqualified under the English Football League’s (EFL) Owners’ and Directors’ Test.

Reading could subsequently be expelled from the EFL, if they fail to secure a new buyer ahead of a 4th April deadline, as reported by BBC Sport.

The EFL said in a statement: ‘The disqualification requires Mr Yongge to divest his interests in the club, and in the event that he fails to do so within the agreed timeframe, the League will consider all options available within its regulations to bring the matter to a conclusion.’

Reading’s next owners

Last month, Reading revealed that the club had entered a period of exclusivity with a potential buyer.

Previously, a proposed takeover led by former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig fell through last September, after a breakdown in talks.

The UK Government is ready to “crack on” with Manchester United’s new stadium plans, according to Lisa Nandy, the UK’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Nandy said: “We are impatient to get the economy growing again and get projects like this off the ground. We’re not wasting a minute.

“Manchester United have to make their own plans and satisfy their own investors. What we have to do as a Government is maximise the benefits of projects like these for the communities that they serve.”

United’s new home

Earlier this month, United unveiled plans to build a new, 100,000-seat venue, as part of a broader regeneration of the Old Trafford area, which will cost around £2 billion.

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham recently said he is hoping for between £200 million and £300 million in government funding to finance the project, however this would not be spent on the new venue itself.

Takeover of Dutch club Go Ahead Eagles falls through

The proposed takeover of Go Ahead Eagles by John Lageman has fallen through, the Dutch club have confirmed.

The Dutch businessman decided to withdraw from the takeover, despite having held extensive discussions with the Eredivisie club, and following approval from the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB).

The Vierhouten family will remain as the majority owners of the Deventer-based club, holding a 90 per cent share. The club’s former chairman, Hans de Vroome, will also retain his 10 per cent stake.

Lagemen exits talks with “heavy heart”

Reflecting on his decision to exit the takeover, Lageman said: “I had to make this decision with a heavy heart. During this process I noticed that my vision of the financial course of the club does not fully match the view of the management.

“I have a lot of appreciation for the efforts and involvement of all parties, but ultimately I came to the conclusion that it is better not to take this step. This was not an easy decision.”

LaLiga match between Barcelona and Osasuna to take place on 27th March, despite appeals

The LaLiga fixture between Barcelona and Osasuna will go ahead on Thursday 27th March, despite appeals from both clubs for the match to be played at a later date.

The game, which was originally set to take place on 8th March, was postponed after Barcelona doctor Minarro Garcia passed away hours before kickoff.

With the game rescheduled for 27th March, both teams were unhappy with the decision, subsequently appealing against the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

The RFEF's ruling

Barcelona wanted to delay the game due to the lack of availability of some of the club’s international players, while Osasuna argued that their players would have less than 72 hours of rest between two fixtures.

The Appeals Committee nonetheless found that these were not “sufficient” reasons for moving the match, upholding the RFEF’s initial ruling.

Global seven-a-side women’s football league launches, offering $5 million prize purse

A new global seven-a-side women’s football series has launched with a $100 million investment over five years, as reported by The Guardian.

The first edition of the invitational competition is reportedly set to take place in Lisbon from 21st to 23rd May. The inaugural tournament will comprise eight clubs, which have not yet been revealed, with all matches set to air live on DAZN.

The series is being funded by Jennifer Mackesy, co-owner of NWSL club NJ/NY Gotham FC.

Prize money

Each event will feature a prize purse of $5 million, with the winner of each tournament set to receive $2.5 million.

The second instalment of the seven-a-side series will be staged in a ‘different continent’ in November or December.

The United Soccer League (USL) has revealed plans to incorporate promotion and relegation, following majority approval from club owners.

The move sees the USL become the first US-based football league to adopt a promotion and relegation system, and comes as part of a plan to align with elite European divisions.

In February, the USL announced the launch of a new Division One league, which will take effect from the 2027/28 season. Once established, this will form part of a three-tiered system alongside the USL Championship and USL League One.

USL looking to “transform” football landscape in the US

“Promotion and relegation transforms the competitive landscape of American soccer," said Paul McDonough, president of the USL.

“With the 2026 World Cup and other major international events approaching, we have a unique opportunity to build on that momentum and create a sustainable future for the sport in the U.S.

“This shift challenges the status quo and brings a level of excitement and relevance that can elevate the game across the country.”

Manchester clubs accused of age-fraud

Manchester United and Manchester City have been accused of age fraud involving six academy players, following an investigation led by The Telegraph.

Both Manchester clubs have reportedly been made aware of photographs and documents which indicate that several foreign-born academy players are in fact older than their listed ages.

Although their identities have not been revealed, three of the academy players in question have played for England.

Manchester United response

A statement from United said: “We are committed to operating all aspects of our academy within the rules and regulations laid down by our governing bodies, including in the recruitment and registration of players.

“We take our responsibilities for player wellbeing and safeguarding very seriously. Indeed, we take pride in the reputation we have developed for considering the participants in our programmes as first and foremost children, rather than players.

DAZN teams up with McDonald’s to offer three-month Ligue 1 subscriptions

DAZN has partnered with McDonald’s to offer 120,000 customers in France a three-month Ligue 1 subscription if they purchase a meal from the fast food franchise.

The UK-based broadcaster will provide customers who order from the special Ligue 1 menu on McDonald’s’ French delivery app with an access code, enabling access to Ligue 1 coverage for the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

The Ligue 1 deal is priced at €14.15, which is a fraction of DAZN’s €39.99 month-to-month subscription free.

Resolution between DAZN and LFP

Until recently, DAZN had been embroiled in a legal dispute with the French Football League (LFP), regarding its Ligue 1 rights. The company withheld half of its payment from LFP in February, and demanded €573 million in compensation.

The legal battle between the broadcaster and governing body was put to bed at the end of February, when DAZN agreed to pay the outstanding €35 million, and dropped its case.

Atletico Madrid ‘consider’ ceding 2030 World Cup hosting rights to Valencia

Atletico Madrid are considering ceding hosting rights for the 2030 FIFA men’s World Cup to Valencia, according to Relevo.

The Spanish club are open to allowing Valencia’s Nou Mestalla stadium to serve as a host for the tournament in place of the Metrapolitano. Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín met with Rafael Louzán, the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), to discuss this possibility.

By withdrawing the Metropolitano as a host venue, Atleti would lose out on around €20 million in revenue.

Nou Mestalla set to open in time for the World Cup

In January, Valencia confirmed plans to resume construction of the Nou Mestalla, which is set to be completed by summer 2027.

In order to be eligible to host matches at the 2030 World Cup, stadiums must be available more than one month before the competition kicks off, as per FIFA’s guidelines.