When it comes to net spend, Manchester City are top of the tree in English football.
City have splashed out more than any other club in the pyramid, spending £867m more than they have brought in since the start of the 2011/12 season.
That’s more than twice as much as Liverpool, who beat City to the Premier League title last season, while Manchester United (£814m) are the only club in English football with even half of City’s net spend over the period in question.
The figures come from Paddy Power, who have looked at all transfers involving the 92 clubs currently in the Premier League and EFL.
City’s tally follows a number of big-money signings, with Ruben Dias the latest to set them back a significant sum, and precious few big-money sales.
Top 10 spenders (Club and Transfer balance)
1. Manchester City - £867,280,000
2. Manchester United - £814,750,000
3. Chelsea - £410,310,000
4. Arsenal - £380,250,000
5. Liverpool - £335,580,000
6. Everton FC - £271,600,000
7. Aston Villa - £263,350,000
8. West Ham United - £256,830,000
9. Brighton & Hove Albion - £187,350,000
10. Newcastle United - £181,840,000
Of the 20 teams currently in the Premier League, none can post a net profit over the period in question, though Leeds United are closest at -£41m.
Championship side Stoke City are also among the biggest net spenders, with their -£161m balance amounting to a greater net spend than Tottenham Hotspur among others, but fellow second-tier teams Brentford (£81m), Swansea City (£63m) and Birmingham City (£61m) the clubs to turn the biggest transfer profit over the period.
While Manchester City’s total is impacted in part by some of their more expensive signings still playing for the club, the difference between theirs and Liverpool’s totals is noticeable.
“Given how dominant Liverpool were last season, it’s impressive to consider how much lower their net spend is compared to their Premier League rivals," a spokesman for Paddy Power said.
