The Premier League's purchasing power was on full display this summer, with nearly £3.5bn spent on transfer fees. This included a significant number of high-value transfers between Premier League clubs, a notable trend compared to previous transfer windows.
However, new tax rules introduced from 6 April 2025, known as the Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime, may be a consideration for overseas players. This regime provides a full exemption on non-UK income and gains, but only for four tax years, which could effectively mean three seasons for a player.
Previously, players could claim Overseas Workday Relief (OWR) for up to three tax years and shelter non-UK income under the Remittance Basis for up to 15 years. While the OWR period has been extended to four tax years, it is now capped at £300,000 per year, a sum that may not significantly benefit top-earning players.
For players who have already accumulated substantial wealth, the FIG regime may not offer the mid-term tax benefits that the Remittance Basis once did. This could influence non-UK players when weighing offers from Premier League clubs against renegotiating deals with their current teams.