'Richard Masters has already said this...' - Overseas Premier League games decision after £2bn reveal - expert
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Ben Palmer
Sun 31 August 2025 9:30, UK
The Premier League has less motivation to stage games overseas than La Liga and the Bundesliga as things stand.
That is according to football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that the various European leagues are doing all they can to try and bridge the financial gap to the Premier League.
According to transfermarkt, the Serie A, La Liga, the Bundesliga, and Ligue 1 have a combined net spend of €2.98bn (£2.51bn) this window.
By contrast, the Premier League alone has spent €3.11bn (£2.69bn) on transfers during the summer.
The English top flight has long been the world’s most-watched football league [MailOnline], and the spending power available to its clubs allows them to dominate the transfer market.
As a response, AC Milan and Barcelona are leading the charge to host games abroad, with both set to play a domestic league match overseas this season, pending FIFA approval.
Speaking to Football Insider previously, Plumley stated that Premier League club owners would be interested in playing games overseas, but there are currently no plans for this to take place.
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This article contains exclusive comment from Dan Plumley, a football finance expert and senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Plumley explained that Premier League CEO Richard Masters had already shut down the idea of games being played abroad, and he could see no reason as to why that would change any time soon.
He said: “I think they are not as close as La Liga and the reason for that is, and Richard Masters has already said this as well, the Premier League is already a global league in terms of eyes on screen, it’s got that international broadcast arena.
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“La Liga hasn’t got that, and La Liga are trying to bridge the gap.
The Bundesliga and La Liga are £2billion a year behind the Premier League.
“That’s what they’re trying to do.
On a comparison basis, the Premier League have already got some of that audience, so they are not as likely as La Liga
The EFL have rejected the Premier League’s proposed revenue split, and are holding out for 25% of the revenue generated by England’s top-flight clubs.
The two governing body’s have been encouraged to find a resolution before an independent regulator becomes active in November.
With the Premier League potentially in a position where they have to give up a quarter of their wealth generated each season, there may be a push for clubs to exploit other money-making options.
Whilst Masters has categorically shut down games abroad, it will ultimately be up to the clubs themselves whether that becomes a reality in the future.