The sums of money in football have become absurd in recent years, especially in the English Premier League, which is shown in the net spend table for the 2025-26 season.
Clubs in Europe and the rest of the world, including Saudi Arabia, appear to be struggling to keep up with the sums of money English clubs are dropping on players. More than half of the current Premier League sides feature among the top 20 net spenders this season.
Now that the January transfer window is shut, we've decided to take a look at the amount of money spent this season. Net spend combines money spent and recouped, and below are the 20 clubs with the biggest outlay.
20-16: Newcastle Outspend Al-Nassr
Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade
It goes a long way to show just how wealthy the Premier League has become in recent decades when Burnley, who are almost certain to be relegated, are outspending Spanish giants Atletico Madrid (£73.4m) and Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr (£81.1m).
That, however, is the state of play in the 2025-26 season as the Clarets spent a substantial amount in the summer transfer window to give themselves the best chance of survival. Lesley Ugochukwu and Armando Broja were the biggest arrivals at Turf Moor from Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Eddie Howe was backed significantly by Newcastle United's owners after guiding the Magpies back into the Champions League. Big money was spent on Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, and Anthony Elanga - three signings the jury remains out on. The British record £125 million sale of Alexander Isak did recoup a big chunk of the money they spent.
Highest Net Spend in World Football (20-16)
Rank
20.
19.
18.
17.
16.
15-11: Everton and Nottingham Forest Go Big
jack grealish
Three more Premier League clubs that are either in a relegation battle, or were expected to be at the start of the season, are high on the spending charts. Leeds United, under Daniel Farke, have reaped the rewards of their £91 million net spend as the Elland Road outfit look likely to survive in the top-flight.
The same can't be said for Nottingham Forest. Evangelos Marinakis splashed out huge sums of money on the likes of Omari Hutchinson, Dan Ndoye and Dilane Bakwa to try and compete in the Europa League. However, Sean Dyche's men are currently fighting for their lives.
The Tricky Trees have only just outspent one of the most exciting clubs in European football right now. Como, with Cesc Fabregas at the helm, have taken to Serie A football brilliantly, but have also been backed more than any other Italian side this season.
David Moyes picked a good time to make his long-awaited return to Everton. Despite suffering financial struggles for the past decade, the Toffees have settled into a state-of-the-art new stadium and are now capable of paying big transfer fees. Tyler Dibling, Thierno Barry and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall all commanded over £20 million each in fees.
Highest Net Spend in World Football (15-11)
Rank
15.
14.
13.
12.
11.
10-6: Sunderland Just Pipped by Real Madrid
ttrent real madrid
The Saudi Pro League continued to flex its financial muscle this term, with Al-Ittihad (103.4m) and Al-Hilal (£139.5m) both having a nine-figure net spend. Cristiano Ronaldo even went on strike, as he doesn't feel Al-Nassr are as strongly backed as their Middle Eastern rivals.
Between the two Saudi giants is Turkish Super Lig powerhouse Galatasaray. Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen signed permanently for £65 million after a successful loan spell, while Monaco defender Wilfried Singo also cost a significant amount.
Meanwhile, it feels like an alternate universe when newly-promoted Sunderland have a net spend of only £4 million less than the biggest club in world football. Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fee and Habib Diarra were among the headline signings made at the Stadium of Light.
While the Black Cats' spending has majorly paid off so far, the same can't quite be said for Real Madrid. Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, Franco Mastantuono and Trent Alexander-Arnold were snapped up for more than £140 million combined for Xabi Alonso at the start of the season. The Spaniard then lasted less than six months in the job.
Highest Net Spend in World Football (10-6)
Rank
10.
9.
8.
7.
6.
5-1: English Clubs Dominate Spending Charts
Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike
English football is the true financial powerhouse of football right now. The top five is entirely made up of Premier League 'Big Six' teams. Manchester United backed Ruben Amorim with big-money signings in the summer, such as Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, before sacking the underperforming Portuguese boss.
Thomas Frank could be heading the same way as Amorim after struggling to make the most of his £159 million net spend at Tottenham this season. On paper, Spurs' summer business looked good, but Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons and Mathys Tel have failed to deliver so far. Conor Gallagher was then snapped up in January, only adding to the big spending in north London.
While Pep Guardiola takes every opportunity possible to point out that Manchester City don't top the net spend charts, the Citizens come very close after snapping up Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi in January.
Liverpool shocked the world in the summer when following up their Premier League title win with two record-breaking signings. Alexander Isak (£125m) and Florian Wirtz (£116m) arrived at Anfield, but huge amounts of money were brought back in by the sales of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez.
The favourites to lift the Premier League trophy at the end of the season, Arsenal, are the only club to have a higher net spend than the Reds. Mikel Arteta made his squad the strongest in history, according to Piers Morgan anyway, with the additions of Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Piero Hincapie over the summer.
Highest Net Spend in World Football (5-1)
Rank
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
All figures in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 05-02-26.