Premier League clubs have set a new record for summer transfer spending after English top-flight teams invested a combined £3.46 billion during the latest transfer window.
Clubs had already surpassed the £3 billion mark before deadline day, comfortably beating the previous record of £3.14 billion recorded 12 months ago.
Spending accelerated further on deadline day, with clubs committing £475 million to new signings, compared with £391 million on the same day last year.
According to BBC Sport on Wednesday, the figures demonstrate the dramatic growth in transfer spending across the Premier League. Five years ago, English top-flight clubs spent just £1.13 billion during the summer window, highlighting the scale of the increase.
Premier League clubs also featured prominently among the most expensive transfers in football history. Three of the 10 costliest signings ever were completed by English top-flight sides during the window.
The record spending underlines the enormous financial power of the Premier League and its continued ability to attract some of the biggest names in world football. Even newly promoted teams are increasingly capable of making significant investments in the transfer market.
With billions being committed to new players, the latest figures further reinforce the Premier League’s position as the biggest spending league in world football.
Biggest Spenders
Manchester City became the biggest spenders after completing the signing of Fernandez, taking their total summer expenditure to £458 million. New boss Enzo Maresca received strong financial backing as he began assembling his squad following his replacement of Pep Guardiola.
City’s spending represents a new Premier League record for a single transfer window, surpassing the £415 million Liverpool spent last summer. However, Manchester City also generated £304 million from player sales during the window.
Chelsea ranked second among the biggest spenders, investing £349 million in new players. The London club also raised £382 million from player sales, leaving them with a net profit of £33 million.
Tottenham were the third-highest spenders, committing £302 million as they look to avoid another difficult campaign and return to competing near the top of the Premier League.
Newly promoted Ipswich Town also made a major investment, spending £171 million in an effort to remain in the Premier League and avoid an immediate return to the Championship. Their spending was higher than Manchester United, who spent £148 million on new signings.
Hull City, another newly promoted side, also enjoyed a busy transfer window, bringing in 18 new players, including six arrivals on deadline day.
