The 2025-26 Premier League season kicks off this weekend, and after weeks of transfer activity, most clubs have now completed their major summer business. It’s the perfect time to take stock of the spending power of England’s top sides.
As is usually the case, the Premier League once again leads the way in transfer expenditure. According to Transfermarkt data, top-flight clubs have splashed out a combined £2bn this summer – well ahead of Serie A (£736m) and the Bundesliga (€520m).
English sides not only boast greater resources than their European rivals but also feature several giants who regularly break the bank in the market. This summer, unsurprisingly, Liverpool top the spending charts with £246m.
Biggest spenders in the Premier League
Florian Wirtz for Liverpool on August 4, 2025
The Reds, still potentially eyeing Alexander Isak, have refreshed their full-back options with Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5m) and Milos Kerkez (£40m), while injecting youth into their attack with Hugo Ekitike (£79m) and Florian Wirtz (£100m) – both named among Sports Mole’s “10 signings to watch” this season.
Chelsea have also prioritised firepower, spending around £170m on two strikers – Liam Delap (£30m) and Joao Pedro (£60m) – plus wingers Jamie Gittens (£48.5m) and Estevao (£29m), continuing their policy of investing in promising young talent.
After a poor 2024-25 campaign, Manchester United have also opened their chequebook, committing nearly £200m to three new forwards: Matheus Cunha (£64m), Benjamin Sesko (£66.3m) and Bryan Mbeumo (£65m), handing new boss Ruben Amorim a completely rebuilt attack.
Arsenal have finally secured the number nine they have long coveted, landing Viktor Gyokeres (£63.5m) while also adding quality in midfield with Martin Zubimendi (£55m).
Manchester City round out the top five, the only club here not to surpass the €200m mark. The champions, still linked with Gianluigi Donnarumma, have continued their squad refresh with Tijjani Reijnders (£46.3m) in midfield and Rayan Cherki (£30m) in attack.
Top five spenders (gross spend, summer 2025):
Liverpool – £248.5m
Chelsea – £234.8m
Manchester United – £193.8m
Arsenal – £185.3m
Manchester City – £146.9m
Who really broke the bank?
Man United's new striker Benjamin Sesko on August 9, 2025
Of course, gross spending doesn’t tell the whole story, as major outgoings can offset the net cost. Both Liverpool and Chelsea, for example, have also sold well – recouping close to £170m and £195m respectively – meaning their net spend is far lower than the headline figures suggest.
By contrast, Arsenal and Manchester United have truly splashed out. The Red Devils have yet to make a single sale, although four unwanted players – including Antony and Alejandro Garnacho – are currently on the market for a combined £98m.
The Gunners have brought in just £6.7m in sales and are not expected to part with any high-value assets before the window closes. Manchester City, who have recouped only £28m from the departures of Yan Couto and Maximo Perrone, complete the top three for net spend.
In a surprise twist, Tottenham and newly promoted Sunderland both make the top five for largest net losses this summer, each posting deficits of around £85m after spending approximately £125m and bringing in less than £42m from sales.
Top five net spenders (summer 2025):
Manchester United – -£194m
Arsenal – -£179m
Manchester City – -£121m
Tottenham Hotspur – -£93m
Sunderland – -£88m
This article was originally published on Top Mercato.
ID:579354:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5686: