LONDON — English Premier League clubs spent a record 2.36 billion pounds ($2.97 billion) on new players in the recently concluded transfer window, according to analysis from Deloitte.
The transfer window, which opened on June 14 before closing on Sept. 1, exceeded last year’s record 1.92 billion pounds, with the top-flight clubs spending 255 million pounds ($320.99 million) on deadline day alone, it said.
English Premier League clubs are responsible for 48 per cent of the total spending across Europe’s top five leagues, which include the La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1.
“A second successive summer of record spending by Premier League clubs suggests that year-on-year revenue growth could return following the pandemic,” Tim Bridge, lead partner in Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, told the BBC.
“Nearly three-quarters of Premier League clubs (14) spent more this summer than the last, reflecting the increased intensity of competition.
“There continues to be pressure on clubs to acquire top talent to satisfy their on-pitch objectives, whether that’s qualifying for European competition or simply maintaining their position in the Premier League.”
Chelsea has spent more than $1 billion in transfer fees since the new ownership led by American Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital completed their takeover of the club in May 2022.
The London-based club broke the British transfer record for the second time in a year by signing Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo for a reported 115 million pounds, eclipsing the record 106 million pounds they paid to sign midfielder Enzo Fernandez in January.
Champions Manchester City signed winger Jeremy Doku for 55 million pounds last month, having brought in defender Josko Gvardiol for 77 million pounds and midfielder Mateo Kovacic for 25 million pounds earlier.
City’s final signing in the transfer window was midfielder Matheus Nunes from Wolverhampton Wanderers for 53 million pounds.
Last season’s runners-up Arsenal splashed out 65 million pounds on forward Kai Havertz, followed by 105 million pounds on England midfielder Declan Rice, while Manchester United spent 72 million pounds on striker Rasmus Hojlund.
Newcastle United, who finished fourth last season, brought in midfielder Sandro Tonali for 55 million pounds and winger Harvey Barnes for 38 million pounds.
Nottingham Forest, who finished 16th last season, signed as many as seven players on deadline day.
By comparison, the $260 million outlay by City, the English and European champion, looks modest. The fourth and final arrival in the window came on deadline day and was Portugal international Matheus Nunes from Wolverhampton, a ball-carrier costing $67 million and providing extra depth in central midfield.
Central midfielders were also priorities for Liverpool, which bought Netherlands international Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich in a deal worth 40 million euros ($43.1 million), and Manchester United, which signed Morocco anchorman Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina on a season-long loan deal in the final hours of the window.
Tottenham is looking to increase its options up front and has reached an agreement with Nottingham Forest on the signing of 22-year-old Wales international Brennan Johnson for a reported fee of 45 million pounds ($57 million).
Clubs are also eager to get rid of some fringe players to reduce the size of the squads, with Chelsea and Tottenham letting some go in a rare season when they won’t be playing in Europe.
Callum Hudson-Odoi left Chelsea after a 16-year association to join Forest, while Tottenham sent full backs Reguilon and Japhet Tanganga out on loan. Man City loaned out midfielder James McAtee and Tommy Doyle.
($1 = 0.7944 pounds)
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