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The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) transfer window closed on the night of January 31, with a total of Sh6,720,000 spent by clubs.
Whether the amounts spent in signing new players will determine who eventually wins the title in 2016 remains to be seen.
But the money spent is far less this year, almost three times cheaper, compared to the same period in 2015.
This season, champions Gor Mahia were the biggest spenders, forking out Sh4,470,000 to sign players.
The club spent a whopping Sh4 million on one player, Jacques Tuyisenge from Rwanda.
The former police forward was signed to replace Meddie Kagere who declined to renew his contract at the end of last season.
Gor Mahia paid another Sh350,000 to acquire two local players - Luke Ochieng, formerly of KCB for whom they paid Sh200,000; and James Ogada, formerly of Chemelil Sugar, for whom they paid Sh150,000.
Other players like former AFC Leopards defender Jackson Saleh and Francis Kahata cost Gor Mahia just Sh30,000 each as they were free agents.
But considering that Gor Mahia spent just Sh565,000 to acquire players at the beginning of last season, will the high spending help them win the league title for the fourth time in a row?
Opinion is divided on the matter, with former Tusker coach Jacob Mulee insisting that the club will find it difficult to defend the title after losing key players like Meddie Kagere and Michael Olunga.
“It will be very difficult for Gor Mahia because teams like Bandari and Tusker have recruited well. They will challenge well for the title,” he said.
But Gor Mahia coach Frank Nuttall, while admitting that his side will find it hard to defend the title, insisted that they are capable of doing it.
“We will be the team to beat as everyone will come after us, but we have recruited well and this should give us the strength to compete with our opponents,” he said.
Apart from Gor Mahia, their title challengers spent peanuts in the transfer window.
Despite their high-profile signings, Bandari spent just Sh150,000. At the beginning of last season, they forked out Sh750,000 for new players.
The porters have acquired the services of Dan Sserunkuma, Bernard Mangoli, Edwin Wafula, Felly Mulumba and Edwin Lavatsa. All the five players have come on free transfer and therefore cost them just Sh30,000 each.
The other big spenders this season were Ulinzi Stars. The soldiers paid Sh230,000 to acquire Mark Bikokwa from Nzoia Sugar and another Sh100,000 for the signature of Bryon Odiaga from Sony Sugar
