The summer transfer window for Premier League clubs has officially closed, marking yet another record-breaking period for player acquisitions. A total of 2.36 billion pounds was spent on new players, eclipsing the previous record of 1.92 billion pounds set during the previous summer.
Financial services firm Deloitte conducted the analysis, which also revealed that deadline day saw clubs spend 255 million pounds, more than double the 120 million pounds spent last year. The current spending has placed the 2023-24 season second highest in transfer spending, trailing the 2022-23 season’s 2.73 billion pounds record. There is anticipation for the January window, which might push the total even higher.
Premier League transfers accounted for 48 percent of total spending amongst Europe’s ‘big five’ leagues, which include La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1. Furthermore, Premier League clubs received 550 million pounds from overseas clubs in transfer fees, more than doubling the previous 210 million pounds record set the previous summer.
During this transfer window, 13 Premier League transfers were valued at over 50 million pounds, which is higher than the combined total for the previous two summer transfer windows. The most costly deal on deadline day was Manchester City acquiring Portugal’s Matheus Nunes from Wolves for 55 million pounds. Manchester City sold Cole Palmer to Chelsea for 40 million pounds, while Manchester United recruited goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, full-back Sergio Reguilon, and free agent Jonny Evans.
Other notable transfers include Chelsea purchasing Moises Caicedo for 100 million pounds, which may potentially rise to 115 million pounds – setting a new British club record. Arsenal procured England midfielder Declan Rice for 100 million pounds, and Manchester City secured defender Josko Gvardiol for 77 million pounds.
Internationally, England players were part of large transfers, including Harry Kane moving to Bayern Munich for 86.4 million pounds, and Jude Bellingham moving to Real Madrid for 88.5 million pounds. Paris St-Germain successfully acquired France striker Randal Kolo Muani for 64.2 million pounds plus 12.8 million pounds in add-ons.
Chelsea led the spending spree by spending more than 380 million pounds on 10 players, followed by Saudi Pro League clubs who have so far spent 690.55 million pounds, making it the fourth-highest spending league this summer.
Despite the numerous successful transfers, several deals did not materialise. Notably, Al-Ittihad’s bid for Mohamed Salah was rejected by Liverpool, and PSG’s Kylian Mbappe turned down a world-record 259 million pounds bid from Al-Hilal to remain with the French champions. The market may still see more significant shifts, as the Saudi transfer window will remain open until September 7.
Deadline Day Deals
Matheus Nunes from Wolves to Manchester City for 55 million pounds
Cole Palmer from Manchester City to Chelsea for 40 million pounds
Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce to Manchester United for 4.5 million pounds
Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina to Manchester United on loan
Sergio Reguilon from Tottenham to Manchester United on loan
Jonny Evans to Manchester United as a free agent
Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich to Liverpool for 34.3 million pounds
Ansu Fati from Barcelona to Brighton on loan
Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest to Brighton for 45 million pounds
Alex Iwobi from Everton to Fulham for 22 million pounds
Clement Lenglet from Barcelona to Aston Villa on loan
Albert Sambi Lokonga from Arsenal to Luton on loan
Mason Greewood from Manchester United to Getafe on loan
Rob Holding from Arsenal to Crystal Palace for 4 million pounds
Luis Sinisterra from Leeds to Bournemouth on loan
