The fees that Everton paid agents over the course of 2018/19 has been revealed.
The Premier League on the whole paid over £260 million to players' representatives over the course of the year, which is a massive jump from the £211 million across 2017/18.
The top division's 20 shareholders are due to meet on Friday to discuss new regulations designed to cut down significantly on the huge sums given to players' representatives during the summer and winter transfer windows, according to the Telegraph .
And today's new figures could give an insight as to why that meeting is taking place.
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The numbers have revealed that Everton paid £19.1 million to agents over the course of 2018/19, which is an increase of £7m on the previous year's findings.
The Blues paid out the fifth-highest amount in the top division as spending across the board increased.
How much Premier League clubs paid to agents Feb 2018-Jan 2019
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) April 4, 2019
Top 4
1. Liverpool £43.8m
2. Chelsea £26,9m
3. Man City £24.1m
4. Man United £20.8m pic.twitter.com/ASpPqkJ78o
Liverpool paid the most to agents over 2018/19 with £43.8m, followed by Chelsea (£26.9m), Man City (£24.1m) and Manchester United (£20.8m).
The plans around new regulations will reportedly see the end of dual representation, meaning an agent can no longer be paid by both a selling and buying club when negotiating a move.
Currently, there are no limits or caps involved for work undertaken by an agent in relation to a transfer or contract negotiation.
The changes are expected to come into force in time for the start of next season.
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FIFA are working with the Premier League to regulate what has come to be thought of as out-of-control, with a return to an exam system for agents being suggested.
Everton spent big money over the last year with Richarlison , Lucas Digne and Yerry Mina all coming into the club - along with Bernard on a free transfer and the loan captures of Andre Gomes and Kurt Zouma.
There has also been a lot of outgoing transfer activity in that time as Marco Silva and Marcel Brands have worked to reduce squad numbers - either sending players out on loan or selling them.
