Only four Premier League clubs did not acquire a player on a free transfer this year, compared with eight last year. Those three leagues also had a second successive decline in gross spending, with the Bundesliga alone among the “big five” in recording an increase. Still, Premier League clubs’ net player transfer expenditure as a slice of their estimated 2020/21 revenue was 10% – a substantial fall from the 18% figure of last summer. Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea were the top four gross spending clubs and were responsible for the four highest-value individual transfers this window. Championship clubs spent 38% less than last summer’s £55m, which was a stunning 64% lower than gross spending in the summer of 2019.

Source: Irish Independent September 01, 2021 02:26 UTC