They say that when you don't look at your bank account every day, you are rich. And that is precisely what is happening to Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City.
Their profit and loss accounts are so absurd that it is totally unfeasible to believe that they comply with financial fair play. In fact, across the last 10 seasons, if we compare sales and income figures, PSG has a -988m euro balance and Manchester City recorded -1046m.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are trying to survive with both their hands tied due to LaLiga's financial control.
Spending vs. Sales from 2011/12 to the present day
The financial power of these two state-owned clubs has meant that money has never been an issue for them in their bid to compete for the Champions League title.
Kylian Mbappe's controversial contract renewal has raised many eyebrows. The Spanish and Italian leagues expressed their unease and in the case of LaLiga, they will file a complaint to investigate whether the operation complies with the financial regulations of UEFA and Ligue 1.
Far from casting doubt on the renewal, Ligue 1 president Vicent Labrune hit out at Javier Tebas and questioned his intention to investigate it.
"We wish to express in the strongest terms our disapproval, but also our incomprehension, at his latest attacks against Ligue 1 and one of our clubs," he said.
And it is precisely in France that the greatest inequality occurs. According to figures provided by L'Equipe, PSG have 18 of the 20 highest salaries in the league.
PSG's overwhelming dominance in their league is beginning to spread to the rest of Europe. In fact, with the signing of Erling Haaland, Manchester City now own the two highest paid players in the Premier League including Kevin De Bruyne.
Top 10 salaries (gross)
Crazy sums
Pep Guardiola's arrival at Manchester City turned the team upside down due to a financial investment of 1.119 billion euros.
More than 400m euros were invested in defenders such as Nathan Ake (45m), Danilo (30m), Nicolas Otamendi (55m), Joao Cancelo (65m), John Stones (55m), Aymeric Laporte (65m), Benjamin Mendy (57m), Kyle Walker (52m) and Ruben Dias (68m).
Meanwhile, PSG went for Neymar and Mbappe before snatching the captains of Real Madrid and Barcelona with offers that their clubs could not match.
Outside the top five
Despite spending big, both teams are still far behind the traditional European powers. According to a Forbes report, Real Madrid are the richest team in the world ahead of Barcelona. Despite the crisis and the departure of some of their stars, the two Spanish teams continue to lead the rankings.
Meanwhile, Leo Messi's arrival increased PSG's merchandising revenue by 60 percent and Man City's products already outsell those of their neighbours, Manchester United.
Most valuable teams in the world (Forbes)
A new front?
In the meantime, a Saudi-backed consortium has purchased Premier League club Newcastle, converting the Magpies into the richest club in the world.
"It's a game-changer for us," co-owner Amanda Staveley said after the takeover.
"I hope it's going to be a game-changer for Newcastle United but we also don't want to make promises we can't keep. I don't want to say we are going to be top of the Premier League in three years. I would love that."
Sam_K
36
[Crylaugh]at risk?? Didn't see these statements when the other top clubs were just dominating small teams financially taking all their valuable players by offering insane amount of money. And now suddenly it's the end of the world now that this clubs can't compete with psg and city?? This is just sad hipocracy and jealousy. I didn't see people saying all this when Madrid decided to start the galactico project and just flat out sign all the balon do'or winners and best players and pay them insane money. And then there is the hate for the Arab world and oil like they did something wrong to get rich. If you hate oil so much then stop using it first before you start complaining. They are literally selling it to you guys to get this rich for God's sake[Crylaugh] Football hasn't been a fair sport for very long time now. And I think this hipocracy hurts football more so just stop it's ridiculous.
m4verickplays
15
People attacking Real Madrid and wishing them to fail, sorry guys, the day Real Madrid falls is the day your poor clubs at the bottom of the food chain cease to exist first. we are a fan owned club, with no rich owner or country using it's resources to sponsor us, all our profits are earned legit are purely from merchandizing and legit sponsorship deals, not shady huge injection of blood money. Yes PSG and Man City are rich beyond comprehension but guess what?! we beat all the oil clubs one by one, left right and centre and now we are the fvcking champions of Europe, buy that we see cuz their somethings money just can't buy, you gotta earn them on the pitch. Respect the name of Real Madrid and keep it out your fvcking mouths. Hala Madrid🙌
TillerKhalid777
13
when Barca was spending lavishly to look for Neymar's replacement no one talked about it infact they spent so much with ridiculous wages that it land them in 1.3b in debt no one talks about it, when Ibrahimovic was spending money at Chelsea no one talks about it, Real Madrid and Barca have players on higher wages than city to be honest only de bruyne and haaland can compete with those players wages. Newcastle are the richest club but because they have not start winning trophies no one is talking about them all of you batching city and PSG you're all jealous, United finished 2nd got Ronaldo, sancho, varane and finished behind arsenal. As for man city winning the champions league it's just a matter of time. most of you going crazy over city and PSG will jump for joy hearing one of them is the new owner of your pathetic clubs
biyaikopsz
12
jealous will kill you Mr poster
ManCityFanForever
10
They are jealous of our wealth that’s all