Women’s football transfer market reaches record levels

Friday 04 September 2026 - 12:42

By: Azzat Manal

Women’s football transfer market reaches record levels

The women’s professional football transfer market has reached a new milestone, with international transfer fees exceeding €25 million during the latest summer window, according to figures released by FIFA.

FIFA recorded 1,406 international transfers involving professional women players, the highest number ever registered in the sport. The figure represents a 19.2% increase compared with the previous record, highlighting the continued expansion and professionalization of women’s football across international markets.

The financial value of those transfers also rose sharply. Compensation paid for international moves more than doubled compared with the same period in 2025, reflecting growing investment in women’s teams and an increasing willingness among clubs to spend on established talent.

Despite this progress, the women’s market remains considerably smaller than the men’s game. FIFA data shows that transfers involving male players approached €10 billion during the current summer window, with the English Premier League alone accounting for around €4 billion. The difference illustrates the much larger commercial scale and longer-established professional structure of men’s football.

The latest transfer window nevertheless featured several high-profile moves involving leading women players. Among the most notable was Spanish star Alexia Putellas, who left Barcelona in early July to join London City Lionesses.

The English club, owned by Michele Kang and focused exclusively on women’s football, also strengthened its squad by signing French international forward Kadidiatou Diani. The arrivals underline the growing ability of some women’s clubs to attract internationally recognized players and compete for elite talent.

The latest figures point to a market undergoing rapid development, supported by greater investment, stronger club structures and rising interest in women’s football. While the financial gap with men’s football remains substantial, the record number of transfers and accelerating fees suggest that the women’s game is steadily building a more competitive and commercially significant global transfer market.