Premier League squads 'drop £1.6bn in value'

Premier League squads 'drop £1.6bn in value'

An estimated £1.6bn has been wiped off the value of Premier League squads because of the coronavirus crisis, according to a football statistics website.

Transfermarkt calculates a player’s value using a variety of data and the aggregated estimates of site users.

It predicts a widespread drop in prices, with Manchester City suffering the biggest loss of around £225m.

“The stock market prices collapsed,” said site founder Matthias Seidel.

“Many clubs could be threatened by insolvency and transfer plans come to a standstill because of the many uncertainties.”

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Will transfer fees drop in reality?

Though these figures are estimates, the prospect of transfer fees dropping significantly as a result of the coronavirus pandemic is likely.

Transfermarkt conducted a survey of more than 300 people from the football industry, with more than 70% stating they expect the crisis to have a significant impact on transfer business.

“The current global cut (in transfer fees) is a reaction to the extraordinary general situation, in light of which it can’t be ruled out that a further cut has to be made in a few weeks,” added Seidel.

“At the moment, it is difficult to imagine that transfer fees will continue to rise as they have in previous years in the foreseeable future.”