International football transfer numbers and player buying fees have fallen sharply worldwide in the past six months, says governing body Fifa, reports BBC News. Completed player deals fell by 9% in the first six months of 2012, but their total financial value plunged by more than a third, falling by 34%.
Total income from 4,973 transfers around the globe was $576m (£371m).
The drop may be due to continued global economic problems and the forthcoming Uefa financial fair play rules.
The data was revealed by Fifa's Transfer Matching System (TMS) organisation, which uses modern electronic technology with the aim of making international football transfers more transparent and legally compliant.
"We still have to see what happens in July and August, when European transfer windows are open, to see if this [drop] is just a dip or part of a continuing trend," said Isabelle Solal, head of integrity and compliance at Fifa TMS.
"However, if I personally was asked to pick reasons, I would say it is still because of economic recession and the impact of the Uefa financial fair play sanctions.
"Clubs are making an effort to balance their books, but things should be clearer by September," said Ms Solal, speaking to the BBC News website at a World Sports Law Report conference into football player contracts.
The figures refer to international transfers and do not cover "domestic" transfers between two clubs in the same country.
The big five European leagues - England, Germany, France, Italy and Spain - have transfer windows that run from 1 July to 31 August. Scotland has a similar transfer window.
