According to a research conducted by Kieran Maguire of the University of Liverpool, Premier League clubs have spent over £26 billion in transfers and wages since the beginning of the competition 29 years ago.
The report goes to show that Chelsea, Manchester United and City are the top three spenders since the beginning of the competitions in that order. The London club, and United have spent over £5 billion while Manchester City have spent £4.8 billion to be exact.
This takes into account the changes in the fortunes of both the finalists of this season’s Champions League, since their respective takeovers. Maguire further goes on to say that the grip on the top flight will belong to the big six of the Premier League, and a return to the era of Leeds and Villa dominating the competition is but a distant dream.
‘Off the back of the European Super League and Project Big Picture will football return to an old romantic vision with the likes of Derby, Forest and Villa winning the title?’ Maguire asked.
Despite that, Leicester City have shown that clever recruitment and a clear vision can help topple the big dogs. Their league victory in 2015 is testament to that very fact, as they won with the likes of N’Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez and Ben Chilwell in the squad and let them go, along with Harry Maguire, for over £130 million.
‘Through a combination of capital investment, sensible financial management and clear-eyed football strategy the club are continuing to challenge the dominance of England’s biggest, wealthiest clubs,’ said Ben Marlow, managing director of the sports agency, the Twenty First Group.
‘Over the past five years, the club has a net transfer spend of a little over £20m per season – around half the Premier League average and around one third of the ‘Big Six’ average – while maintaining their levels of performance.’
