Clubs in England spent over £1billion on international transfers - £500m more than any country - in 2021, despite the financial uncertainties created by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The amount spent was recorded in FIFA's figures as 1.386bn US dollars, equating to just over £1billion and dwarfing the second-highest spending country, Italy, by more than £500million.
Premier League clubs, chiefly boosted by world-beating broadcasting deals, were the buyers in seven of the 10 biggest transfers in 2021.
Romelu Lukaku's £98m move from Inter Milan to Chelsea was the biggest deal last year with Jadon Sancho's £73m switch from Borussia Dortmund to United the second largest.
The £42m deal that saw Raphael Varane swap Real Madrid for Old Trafford was the fourth highest transfer while Liverpool's £36m signing of Ibrahima Konate was the sixth biggest.
Martin Odegaard's summer switch to Arsenal and Amad Diallo's 2021 January transfer move to United also featured in the top 10.
Ten of the top 20 biggest-spending clubs in Europe were English. Manchester United topped the chart with Chelsea second, Arsenal fifth, Tottenham sixth and Manchester City eighth.
The Red Devils splashed out around £172million as they also brought in five-time Ballon d'Or Cristiano Ronaldo for just shy of £20m in one of the most sensational transfers of all time.
Premier League basement boys Norwich were next (14th), followed by Brighton (15th), Aston Villa (18th), Leicester (19th) with top-flight giants Liverpool completing the top 20.
For all of United's spending they still find themselves going through a period of transition with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer getting the sack following poor form and performances before the turn of the year.
Interim boss Ralf Rangnick is approaching two months at the helm but the squad is still struggling.
It was also revealed earlier this week that City’s income is now more than rivals United.
The blue half of Manchester recorded revenues of £537m in 2020-21 and the 'noisy neighbours' have the most valuable squad in the world.
rehaekorty
0
all thanks to ole gunnar solksjaer and rotten Woodward. these guys have been spending money as if the clubs funds belong to their mom's. solksjaer was just a lucky motha foka for more than 3 years at man utd. thx the clown is out.
rufulobr
0
Fergie would have easily won a few trophies with this current United squad. In fact, he won silverwares even with the likes of Cleverly, Phil Jones, Smalling and Rafael. So it’s not about the players but rather rare coaches Fergie made them successful just like Pep now. But mid table with this squad is unacceptable for sure when you have Ronaldo Varane Sancho De Gea there
Unitedforlife6
1
All talk no action, still waiting for this club to do something
silwal123
0
good💞💞
Naharki
0
change the Formation first
fabckmnoz
1
Useless, spend so much still struggling..
FrankUtd
4
Manchester United spend heavily on one player and on the wrong players since SAF left. This started with Moyes and since then it has become a tradition. Well done Ed Woodward, thank you for your services. Stay safe of omicron virus
Tjake
0
And then... get behind arsenal
they will overtake Arsenal too very soon
Jonas18
0
The problem is still with club owners The glazer family
fizzbizzie
3
and we still didn't buy a quality CDM
TOOTMANCITY
2
i think it might work🤔
Botdkmnz
0
they will overtake West Ham..mark my word
And then... get behind arsenal
nuwailosz
1
guess who is oil city. its not only about money, its about proper management and investment on players. decade ago man United was a team, every player would lobe to play for and city was just an ordinary team. Man United just couldn't keep their heights after Sir Alex Ferguson.
kuyabcdt
0
BuT ciTy rUiN FoOtBaLl
KHMMURU07
0
I kept telling that Ralf Rangnick is utterly overrated just because he was a mentor of Sir Tuchel and Klopp his tactician theory might be popular and genius but his CV in club or country management hasn't been that top notch hit added with it his practice principles appliances to his theory has been a zero flop . United should have gone with Cinte but as always what can you expect from pathetic Vice chairman Ed Woodward
[image]
*Conte
KHMMURU07
2
I kept telling that Ralf Rangnick is utterly overrated just because he was a mentor of Sir Tuchel and Klopp his tactician theory might be popular and genius but his CV in club or country management hasn't been that top notch hit added with it his practice principles appliances to his theory has been a zero flop . United should have gone with Cinte but as always what can you expect from pathetic Vice chairman Ed Woodward
therevenant
2
but but city ruin football
hilowle-america
0
Some times All football Authoresses beating about the not aware what they eat last breakfast
miyaekop
3
After that they will say oil money is ruining football
Bigmamajoe
2
Where’s man city 100 mill for Grealish? Wasn’t it 2021?
ForuGamou
2
They did the same mistake Barcelona made. After the departure of Neymar, we also spent countless amount of money on useless players. Results were not up to par.
tobaelmnz
0
Were dem dey for table
luseilnsz
0
they the waste team in 2021
fourthorty430
1
They are still gelling the players plus the coach together .. they will pick their form soon
mopbdlnos
3
what about Arsenal's Ben White
shy-q
1
we pray 4 the best of all clubs tht over spent to pick it up nd play th best football nd win trophies 🤜🤛
Kioeioptu
0
effects of pep Guardiola!!!
Tjake
0
And still behind west ham united [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
they will overtake West Ham..mark my word
Dossayard
1
Lakaka will end doing wrestling [byebye]
Vatdkmnryz
3
we zero product from spending😂😂😂
Moteiopty
2
And still behind west ham united [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]