Record English spending dwarfs rivals in Europe
LONDON, England (AP) — English Premier League clubs spent a record £835 million (US$1.38 million) on players during the summer transfer window, almost twice as much as any of Europe’s other top leagues.
A study by football finance expert Deloitte shows gross spending in England’s top league was up more than 30 per cent on the previous record of £630 million (US$1.04 million) set in 2013.
Deloitte says Spain was second-highest of the so-called “big five” divisions in Europe, with an outlay of £425 million (US$700 million).
Capped by the deadline-day signing of Colombia striker Radamel Falcao, Manchester United drove English spending by paying about £150 million (US$250 million) as part of their rebuilding under Louis van Gaal. That’s the most spent by a Premier League club in a summer window.
