Premier League clubs have shattered the previous transfer spending record for a season, with gross expenditure reaching £1.9bn in the summer window alone, according to Deloitte's sports business group. This figure surpasses the previous record of £1.86bn set in the 2017-18 season, which included both summer and January windows.
The summer spend is 67% higher than last summer's £1.1bn and 34% above the previous summer record of £1.4bn in 2017. New ownership and increased confidence from the return of full crowds and new broadcast deals have fuelled the surge, with Chelsea leading the way at £413.1m, £157.8m more than last summer.
Liverpool's Darwin Núñez and Manchester United's Antony were the most expensive signings at around £85m each, while Chelsea's Wesley Fofana cost an initial £70m. Nottingham Forest also made history with a gross spend of £126m, becoming only the third promoted club to exceed £100m.
Zal Udwadia, assistant director at Deloitte, noted: 'The 'big six' clubs are spending to solidify or break into Champions League spots, while others aim for European football or simply to avoid relegation, given the high cost of dropping down.'
