5 clubs that have sold the most players in the last decade

In the current footballing era, transfers have become essential to a club's success. Teams now focus a lot more on their recruitment strategy than they used to before to match their rivals. Subsequently, certain mid-tier clubs have established themselves as talent factories, collecting colossal funds by selling their most promising superstars.

Clubs that have generated the most income from player sales

Since the beginning of the current millennium, a group of teams have emerged as feeder clubs to other European powerhouses. Ajax and Porto are two ideal examples of the said phenomenon. However, in terms of income generated, they fall behind the likes of Real Madrid and Inter, who have reaped €1.29 billion and €1.32 billion respectively from player sales this century.

Predictably, Benfica also make an appearance on the list, having generated €1.31 billion from player sales in the last 21 years. Chelsea and Juventus make up the top two with an unfathomable record of €1.34 billion and €1.45 billion. Some quintessential selling clubs miss out due to their tendency to ship their talents at an early stage, thereby recouping a fraction of their potential value.

With the transfer market being as active as ever, fans are treated to all kinds of deals. Understandably, the quantity of such moves is also at an all-time high. Considering the teams' mentality to indulge in as many transfer activities as possible, let's take a look at the five clubs who have sold the most players in the last decade:

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#5 AS Roma - 191 departures

AS Roma have started brilliantly under Mourinho

Jose Mourinho's latest destination, AS Roma, get us started in fifth place. Based in the capital city of Italy, Roma have been flirting with a top-four finish in Serie A for a long time now. However, they have seldom tasted success in their pursuit, with a fifth spot in the 2019-20 season being their best showing of the last three seasons.

Nevertheless, their failure to acquire stability is certainly not for lack of trying. In fact, Giallorossi have made several efforts in the past to assemble a steady squad, constantly changing their personnel as a result. This has facilitated the departure of as many as 191 players in the last decade.

Whether it be due to the poaching of a bigger team or their own decision to offload an employee, Roma have sold numerous stars in recent years. Following the departures of Alisson, Mohamed Salah, Antonio Rudiger and many more, Roma finally seem to have found a half-decent squad to try and achieve something substantial.

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#4 Juventus - 192 departures

Juventus have struggled in European competitions

Currently undergoing a tough transitional phase, the past few seasons haven't been kind to Juventus. Despite establishing their position as the most successful club in Italy, the Bianconeri are struggling to patch up a consistent run of form at the time of writing.

Cristiano Ronaldo's departure in the summer has completely thrown Juventus off their tracks. Massimiliano Allegri's much-awaited return has done little to steady their ship, with the Old Lady languishing in ninth place at the end of the seventh match week.

Including Ronaldo, Juventus have approved the departure of 192 players in the last 10 years. Some transfers have worked wonders, with the Bianconeri winning nine Scudettos on the trot. Meanwhile, their recent transfer business hasn't been up to the same level, therefore the need for a transitional phase.

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#3 Udinese - 214 departures

Udinese have harbored multiple stars

Another Serie A club make their way into the list in the form of Udinese. Home to the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Bruno Fernandes in the past, Udinese have thoroughly cemented their place in the mid-table of Italian football.

Le Zebrette have consistently secured bottom-half finishes, ending their last eight campaigns between 12-16 positions. Nevertheless, they continue to maintain top-flight status, despite offloading 214 players in the last 10 years. Having failed to win any major trophies in this millennium, Udinese seem content with their middling status.

They recently lost another star player to a bigger shark in the form of Rodrigo de Paul, selling him to Atletico Madrid for €35 million. With Udinese's current squad no better than the sides of the past decade, their fans can expect another mid-table finish this season.

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#2 Inter - 214 departures

Inter won the league in 2021

A surprise entry in second place, clubs as massive as Inter hardly indulge in large-scale alterations to their personnel. Nevertheless, the Nerazzurri have officially sanctioned the departures of as many as 214 players since the 2011-12 season.

A colossal dip in form, coupled with their tendency to issue contracts to youth players, has resulted in such a gargantuan number. Despite Inter winning their first Scudetto in eleven years, the Italian giants were forced to sell star players like Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi due to financial troubles this summer.

With a new coach and players in their squad, Inter have little time to incorporate these changes, considering AC Milan's sudden rise. Simone Inzaghi has the tough task of driving the 19-time Italian champions to the top once again in these torrid times.

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#1 Genoa - 287 departures

Genoa were involved in a recent takeover

Completing our Italian-exclusive list, we have Serie A outfit Genoa. Il Grifone have authorized the departures of a whopping 287 players in the past decade. Having consistently underperformed in their league, Genoa are the team to have sold the highest number of players in the top five leagues of Europe.

The club were recently bought by an American investment firm, ending their 18-year-old association with Italian businessman Enrico Preziosi. Fans will be hoping for an upturn in their fortunes following an inflow of foreign money.

Under the regime of Preziosi, Genoa were constantly involved in some transfer dealing or the other. As many as 287 players were sold in this period, bringing in funds worth €543.7 million. However, they are yet to win a major trophy since 1937.

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