The big teams spend millions to put together their squads for the upcoming campaign. Exorbitant figures that break the transfer market. Who would have thought at the beginning of the century when the most expensive signing in history was Luis Figo to Real Madrid for 60 million euros. Now the situation is very different. The clubs with greater purchasing power pay excessively for players who do not have that value. A waste of millions where the Premier League is sovereign.
The signings of Wirtz, Mbeumo, Cunha, Zubimendi and Gittens, among many others, put the English league in first place in terms of spending. A figure that rises to 1.75 billion euros… and Ekitike and Gyokeres are still to come! Such is the extravagance that it almost triples the second highest spending league, Serie A.
Chelsea is the English team that has spent the most money. According to the website ‘Transfermarkt’, the Blues have invested a total of 243.77 million euros. A total of seven signings, including Gittens (64 million euros) and Joao Pedro (70 million euros). They are joined by Liam Delap, Estevao, Essugo, Sarr and Paez. As in recent years, it is tradition for Chelsea to be the cheerleaders of the Premier League and the market.
Liverpool is the second most reinforced team. Three great signings, awaiting the fourth (Ekitike) that are of the highest level. They reinforced the flanks with Frimpong (€40m) and Kerkez (€46m). But without a doubt, the big differential signing was Florian Wirtz for €125m. They are also awaiting Ekitike, for whom they are going to spend almost €100m.
United, the latest to blow up the market
The Red Devils are the last to strengthen. Mbeumo and Cunha make up a completely new forward line, while they are still waiting for another number nine. Both players have cost almost 75 million euros each, which could rise even further if certain objectives are met.
The ‘Citizens’ have not been left behind. However, unlike their competitors, they have spread their spending. 55 million euros on Reijnders, 36 on Ait Nouri and Cherki. Arsenal are the sixth highest spending team in the market. Zubimendi (70 million) and Madueke (55) are waiting to strengthen the attack… Gyokeres? Mosquera, who is not yet official, will be another 20 million. Norgaard and Kepa are the others who arrived to complete the squad.
Sunderland, newly promoted, has spent 116 million euros. To put this into context, it is the ninth highest spending team in the Premier League… only Real Madrid (168) and Atletico Madrid (124) have spent more than them in LaLiga! In other words, Sunderland has spent more than Barcelona to date.
Far below the Premier League are the two closest pursuers. Serie A and the Bundesliga, second and third respectively, are far from catching up with the powerful English market. The Italians have invested 647.46 million euros and the Germans 464.50 million euros. Juventus is the team that has spent the most money. Como is second… That’s 101 kilos! Betis’ Jesus Rodriguez is the most expensive signing (22.5). Atalanta, Napoli, Juventus and Inter follow with an average of around 74 million.
In the Bundesliga, Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso has spent 102 million euros. Next is RB Leipzig with 92 million euros and Dortmund with 57 million euros. Bayern… have only spent 2.3 million euros! Tah arrived on a free transfer, but the Germans paid a small amount to release him early
LaLiga is a two-horse race
La Spanish league is the fourth competition that has spent the most in this market. It has spent 380 million euros so far, behind Serie A and the Bundesliga. Real Madrid has invested 168 million euros in Dean Huijsen (62 million), Carreras (50), Mastantuono (45) and TAA for 10 kilos. The team that has spent the most in Spain and the third in the whole market.
In the neighboring club, the Rojiblancos have spent a total of 124 million. Baena, Cardoso, Almada, Ruggeri and Pubill. For Baena, Atletico paid 45 million euros, 25+5 for Cardoso, 20 for Almada, 18 for Ruggeri and 17 for Pubill. They still need a central defender (Veiga and/or Cuti) and the dribbler. They are the eighth highest spending team. Barcelona have only spent 25 million, paying Joan Garcia’s release clause. Rashford, pending official confirmation, arrives on loan with a 35 million purchase option.
The Saudi Pro League is gaining momentum
Among the major leagues, the Saudi Pro League is in sixth place, after Retegui’s signing by Al-Qadsiah ($62 million + variables). The Saudi league has spent a total of 205.51 million euros, overtaking the Portuguese league and the Eredivisie, among others, and very close to Ligue 1, which is fifth.
An outlay that enhances the competition in Saudi Arabia, which aims to continue to climb the ranks with its checkbook, where high salaries seduce the great stars of the major leagues.
Read the full article here
