The 15 Champions League clubs that spent the most on transfers this summer have been revealed. While big spending isn’t a guaranteed recipe for success, clubs with deeper pockets often outperform those operating on tighter budgets. Take Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid, for example - teams that have long dominated the financial landscape and have all enjoyed spells of continental success.
Money and football have always gone hand in hand, and it’s fascinating to see which clubs across Europe are making the most of the resources at their disposal. Unsurprisingly, the Premier League features heavily, particularly after Liverpool went all out following their league triumph in Arne Slot’s first season in charge.
A few other notable points emerge before diving into the details of BBC Match of the Day's findings. Serie A appears to be finally regaining some of its former strength, producing serious Champions League contenders after years of lagging behind Europe’s top five leagues. Meanwhile, PSG, despite their financial muscle, aren’t quite as high on the spending list as you might expect.
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Over the last decade or so, PSG had developed a bad habit of throwing cash around as if it grew on trees. But after finally realising that signing big-name superstars alone doesn’t guarantee silverware - and that building a team with all the right components was what would finally end their wait for a first major European honour last term - they have become far more streetwise. This summer, they spent just £91 million, only a million more than Villarreal, a meagre sum by their previous standards.
Napoli are the first on the list to have spent over £100 million, celebrating their Scudetto by adding Manchester United outcast Rasmus Hojlund to their squad (watch his first goal for his new club below), alongside Sam Beukema, Noa Lang, and the free transfer of Kevin De Bruyne. They will be hoping for a similar impact to Scott McTominay, who went on to win Serie A Player of the Season in his debut campaign last term.
Juventus and Atalanta round out the clubs in this section, highlighting Italy’s resurgence after years of relative quiet. Under Igor Tudor, Juventus have made a particularly strong start this season, winning all three of their league outings so far, scoring seven goals in the process. The acquisition of highly-rated 22-year-old Francisco Conceicao has been a key talking point.
Champions League clubs with the biggest transfer spend this summer (15-11)
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Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone passing instructions onto his players
Signing former Manchester City duo Leroy Sane and Ilkay Gundogan on free transfers this summer was already a massive statement of intent from Galatasaray. After dominating Turkish football over the last three seasons, the club is now setting its sights on bigger ambitions in Europe. They also made Victor Osimhen’s move permanent for £65 million, bringing their total summer spending to £132.5 million.
Real Madrid come in at ninth, following a £10 million deal for Trent Alexander-Arnold - one of the most controversial transfer sagas in recent memory, as he became public enemy number one at Anfield - before raiding Bournemouth for Dean Huijsen for £50 million. Neither signing has set the world alight, with Trent already consigned to the bench and Huijsen sent off in his last appearance. City rivals Atlético Madrid will be looking for more bang for their buck after spending £153 million. Diego Simeone’s beloved side could be ones to watch this season.
After selling Florian Wirtz to Liverpool for £117 million, Bayer Leverkusen reinvested the funds, splashing out £172 million. Erik ten Hag likely appreciated the war chest at his disposal, but he was sacked just three games into the season, with Xabi Alonso’s former side looking a shadow of their former selves. Meanwhile, Man City - undergoing a rebuild - come in sixth on the spending list, kicking off a top six that features only Premier League sides.
Champions League clubs with the biggest transfer spend this summer (10-6)
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5-1
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Life without Daniel Levy is looking pretty lavish for Tottenham, whose owners finally opened their wallets over the summer after recognising the club’s potential. The switch from Europa League-winning boss Ange Postecoglu to the steady hand of Thomas Frank signalled a new direction. New signings such as Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus, and Mathys Tel are just a few of the additions that make it easy to bet on the Lilywhites having a strong season.
Despite all the noise surrounding Newcastle’s summer, which saw them struggle to secure signings until the last minute and face setbacks following Alexander Isak’s departure, the club managed a late flourish, spending £250 million on players including Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade. Arsenal ended the summer with the worst net spend (see below), having spent only £5 million more than Newcastle but failing to offload their surplus players effectively, while two other clubs outspent them on incomings.
Chelsea have spent the second-highest amount among Champions League clubs this season, but far out in front is Liverpool - hardly a surprise. The Reds twice broke the bank to bring in Florian Wirtz and Isak for fees exceeding £100 million each. Alongside Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool’s total summer spending reached £415 million.
Champions League clubs with the biggest transfer spend this summer (5-1)
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