Premier League clubs spent a combined record-high $1.2 billion this season. The Aug. 31, Wednesday's transfer deadline also marked the biggest expenditure in player transfer with Paul Pogba signing for $116 million deal.
The most lucrative soccer campaign already breached the 1-billion mark since last season but this opener is so far mind-boggling, according to BBC. The same report also states that thirteen of twenty competing squads upped their expenditure. Most of them are capitalizing on potential revenue from $6.5 investment on television coverage.
Deloitte partner and analyst Dan Jones said that spending among teams are logical since this coincides with proven broadcast revenue over several years. Premier League also managed to revamp from lopsided revenues in 2012. That season results to $6 billion investment, half the figure of 2016-17 season.
Meanwhile, Premier League lists transfer deals with respective costs in several instances. Paul Pogba's transfer from Juventus to Manchester United still tops the list with record $116 million. John Stones, Leroy Sane, Granit Xhaka and other players in the top ten are also able to sign for at least $40 million deals. The "lowest" are N'Golo Kante and Moussa Sissoko with just a million less.
Now about the teams, both Manchester United and Manchester City spent beyond $190 million ceiling. Apparently, United's Jose Mourinho and City's Pep Guardiola are willing to spend just to remain in the elite classification. The two big bosses are both new to their respective clubs.
Even the Championship teams are also benefiting from the spending trend. Another record of almost $300 million was recorded, more than a 100 percent increase from the previous campaign. Aston Villa, Newcastle, Norwich City, Magpie and others are all heavy-spenders. The new entry to the league Burton Albion is also quick to jump into the trend and spent $400 thousand to arrange transfer of Jackson Irvine from Ross County.