In 2016 the revenue and spending by Chinese football clubs as a whole in the transfer market reached $451.3 million, making China 5th in the world, according to the Global Transfer Market Report (Timeframe: Jan.1st - Dec.31st 2016) recently published by FIFA’s TMS (Transfer Matching System). The country was back in 20th place on this list in 2013. 

Among the $553 million of total revenue and spending by AFC (Asian Football Confederation) clubs, $451.3 million was contributed by Chinese professional football clubs, a figure almost 3.5 times more than the other Asian countries combined. However, China only spent 10.3% more than the rest of Asia in 2015. The 159 transfer deals closed by Chinese clubs represented a 26.2% increase when compared with two years ago, and 32 deals more than clubs from Japan, the second Asian country. Currently, most of China’s transfer cheques are cashed by clubs in Europe. Chinese clubs spent 3.8% less in signing foreign players of Asian origin in 2016 compared with the previous year.

In 2016, China stands second only to the UK ($1.06 billion) with a net spending of $440.9 million in the transfer market. However, it is out-performed by another four Asian countries with only $10.50 million income registered on the other side of the balance sheet, 37.7% less than 2015. 

Proofread by Sean O Diobhilin