European transfer market remains buoyant

LONDON, Sept 1 (Reuters) The summer transfer window's top 10 buys cost European soccer clubs more than in the 2005 close season but significantly less than in 2004, data showed today.

The transfer market has remained buoyant thanks to billionaire owners such as Chelsea's Roman Abramovich, while several players have made big moves thanks to performances in the World Cup in June and July.

Infostrada Sports said the top 10 transfers before the window shut yesterday cost around 242 million euros (310 million dollar), against the 230 million euros spent in 2005 and the 264 million euros shelled out in summer 2004.

Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko was Europe's most expensive summer transfer, costing 45 million euros from AC Milan.

The English champions again topped the list of Premier League spenders with around 70 million pounds invested in the whole of 2006, accountants Deloitte said in a report.

It takes Chelsea's spending on player acquisitions since July 2003 to over 375 million pounds, which is around one-third of the total spending by Premier League clubs in that period.

Spending by English clubs topped 300 million pounds (571 million dollar) this close season, the highest amount since the introduction of the transfer window system, Deloitte added.

''Renewed financial confidence from the TV deals announced earlier in the summer and the World Cup shop window effect have helped fuel the increase in transfer spending by Premiership clubs,'' said Paul Rawnsley, director in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte.

SPLASHING OUT Mahamadou Diarra's move to Real Madrid from Olympique Lyon was the second top European transfer at 29 million euros.

English and Spanish clubs hold four positions each in the top 10 with AC Milan and Inter Milan also splashing out to make the list.

The figures were also swelled by Juventus deciding to sell striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Inter after their demotion to Serie B for match-fixing. However, Juve's lack of big-money buys because of their relegation may have suppressed the top 10 total.

This summer's total outstripped 2005's figures because of the lack of a major international tournament to showcase players last year.

However, the data suggests Euro 2004 boosted fees and transfer dealings more than the World Cup this year.

Big money buys in the 2004 summer window included England striker Wayne Rooney's 40 million euro move to Manchester United from Everton following some sparkling displays in Euro 2004 in Portugal.

REUTERS PDS HS1940