Balancing the books: Chinese Super League clubs says they have cleared debts
July 27 – Ten of the 13 Chinese Super League clubs threatened with being banned next season say they have cleared their debts.
Finance
National League Woking attracts Korean acquisition interest
July 27 – Foreign investment interest in English clubs is not confined to the Premier League and Championship, but there is growing interest in opportunities provided by clubs in the National League, the fifth tier of English football.
Chinese Super League clubs set for ‘significant’ revenue growth as stadia improved
By Paul Nicholson
July 26 – A study by Football Benchmark of the commercial revenue opportunity for the Chinese Super League concludes that even though the focus is on big money transfers and grassroots development, there is significant room for revenue growth for clubs in the more traditional areas of business.
Spurs boss Levy sceptical of sustainability of big transfer spenders
By Andrew Warshaw
July 26 – While most of the leading clubs in the English Premier League have gone on a massive pre-season spending spree, one of them, Tottenham Hotspur, have been conspicuous by their lack of activity in the transfer window.
Lukaku for £303m, Pogba for £415m – the cost of doing business in 2027?
July 25 – Forget Neymar for £200 million, Romelu Lukaku would cost £303 million if transferred in the 2027/28 season. Paul Pogba would cost £415.23 million in 10 years time.
Rangers set to survive SPFL sanction over tax fraud case
July 25 – In a move that seems bound to antagonise fans of other clubs, Scotland’s Professional Football League (SPFL) is set to announce that no new action will be taken over the controversial Rangers tax case.
Saints £210m sale stalls as Liebherr has ‘second thoughts’
July 24 – The long awaited completion of the sale of Premier League Southampton to Chinese construction firm Lander is apparently being delayed by Saints owner Katharina Liebherr who is reported to have had second thoughts on the sale.
Barcelona post €708m record revenues and profit of €18m
By Paul Nicholson
July 19 – FC Barcelona have announced record income of €708 million for the 2016/17 season. This is an increase of €29 million on the €679 million posted the previous year which was also a club record.
ICC opens its US summer season with Roma vs PSG ahead of the Manchester derby
July 19 – Tonight the fifth edition of the International Champions Cup (ICC) kicks off in Detroit, USA, with Roma playing Paris St Germain. Tomorrow Manchester City and United replicate their local derby in Houston. The ICC may lack more than a little sporting integrity but it does deliver the biggest club names.
PSG may have €222m earmarked to buy Neymar, but Barca say he isn’t moving
By Samindra Kunti
July 19 – Brazilian superstar Neymar has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain in a record-breaking deal of €222 million, but Barcelona have denied he is leaving the club.
Falcao posts €8.2m with Spanish taxman as he battles fraud case
July 14 – Monaco’s much-vaunted Colombian striker Radamel Falcao, suspected of tax evasion in Spain, has paid back €8.2 million to Spanish tax authorities, according to agencies and the Spanish media.
Off/On €35m Modeste becomes first big money summer transfer to China
July 14 – Having initially rejected a move to China because of the terms of the deal, French striker Anthony Modeste has become the first big name European signing of the Chinese Super League’s close season transfer window after Bundesliga side Cologne announced his departure to Tianjin Quanjian for a reported €35 million.
Deloitte report shows English football scoring £4.4bn revenue record, with more to come
By Paul Nicholson
July 12 – English football has never had it so good as Deloitte’s Annual Review of Football Finance shows total revenue for the 92 league clubs hitting a record £4.4bn for the 2015/16 season.
Transfer spend: Everton’s £85m guarantees them Top 6 finish, say stats
July 11 – Everton’s transfer spend already guarantees them a top six Premier League finish according to stats research. On average top 6 clubs spend £65.1 million per year. Everton have already spent £85 million on five new players.
Spurs deny unfriendly £1bn talkeover deal with Facebook boss Zuckerberg
July 10 – English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur have denied they are in takeover talks following British media reports of a potential £1 billion deal backed by Facebook owner Mark Zuckerberg.