Could the January transfer window be worth £100m to the property market?

Rightmove estimates that the January transfer window could be worth as much as £100m to the UK property market, as highly-paid Premier League players joining new clubs eye up new homes to buy or rent as part of their relocation.

Rightmove director Miles Shipside comments:


“Estate agents in footballer hotspots such Cheshire, Surrey and Hertfordshire will be on high alert to potential transfer market activity on Thursday. Big wages and signing-on fees mean footballers are both cash-rich and willing and able to transact on a property very quickly making them highly desirable customers for vendors and landlords of prime property.”

Ironically, while expectant estate agents may well be keeping tabs on the sports pages in the hope of hearing any breaking news first, many fans will be watching the property market for tell-tale signs of activity. Last year eagle-eyed Arsenal fans noticed that Robin Van Persie’s house in Goffs Oak had been placed up for sale ahead of his summer move to Manchester United, and news last week of Mario Balotelli’s rented property being listed on Rightmove sparked a flurry of rumours about his imminent departure.

Due to escalating player salaries and price growth in prime property markets, Rightmove estimates that transfer window home-moving activity could be worth as much as £100m to the property industry, accounting for house sales, rental agreements and home refurbishment and renovation costs.

As well as helping players online with their home-move, Rightmove could also play a part in helping London-based players with moves between clubs on Thursday, with the company’s fleet of sponsored London cabs now highly visible across the capital. One of our sponsored taxis has already taken on a scouting mission around each London club.

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