Premier League clubs have smashed their summer transfer spending record for a second consecutive season, with England’s top-flight sides spending around £3.46 billion (US$4.67 billion) during the latest window.
Spending continued until the final hours before Tuesday’s 11pm deadline, with several major deals completed as clubs continued to reshape their squads.
Manchester City led the spending, splashing out £458 million, including a reported British record-equalling £125 million deal for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez and £116 million for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson.
Chelsea were the second-biggest spenders at £349 million, while Tottenham Hotspur spent £303 million as they continued rebuilding following two successive seasons close to relegation.
The latest spending surge comes after Premier League clubs first crossed the £3 billion mark last summer. Five years ago, the combined spending stood at just £1.13 billion.
Four transfers completed this summer have also entered the top 11 most expensive signings in Premier League history.
Alongside Fernandez and Anderson, Chelsea paid £117 million for Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers while Liverpool agreed an initial £107 million fee for Paris St Germain forward Bradley Barcola, with the deal potentially rising to £123 million.
Tottenham also broke their club transfer record with the signing of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali in a deal that could reach £100 million.
The spending was not limited to the league’s biggest clubs. Newly promoted Ipswich, Coventry City and Hull City spent more than £400 million between them as they prepared for life in the top flight, according to Transfermarkt.
Premier League clubs are also increasingly doing business among themselves, with around 38% of transfers taking place between top-flight clubs this summer, up from 30% last year.
Some deadline-day deals failed to materialise, including Everton’s reported move for US striker Folarin Balogun after the player decided against proceeding with the transfer.
Chelsea’s reported £47.1 million move for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara also collapsed, leaving the Senegal international at the French club.
Reuters
