- The 100 most expensive football teams in the world are revealed
- Premier League teams top the list after their busy summer transfer window
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A new study has revealed which are the most expensive squads in world football and the results are sure to leave some football fans surprised.
Following a hectic summer transfer window, in which Premier League clubs spent more than £1.75bn on new players, a host of star-studded squads have been assembled.
European giants Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG have also turned to the market to make some crucial signings for the upcoming campaign.
Now, thanks to the analysis compiled by CIES Football ObservatoryThese teams have been included in a definitive list to show which team has spent the most on their side.
The study presents the 100 teams in the world that have committed the most money in transfers to recruit their current players (both permanently and on loan).
A new study by the CIES Football Observatory reveals the 100 most expensive squads
Premier League champions Manchester City are just a few short of the top spot in the list
After another busy summer, Chelsea have spent £1.06bn (€1.28bn) on building their squad.
Curiously, Premier League champions Manchester City miss out on the top spot, instead finding themselves third with a staggering £856m (€1.017bn) spent on building their squad.
Just ahead of City are local rivals Manchester United, who, despite their initial difficulties, have spent £874m (€1.038bn) on their squad.
The Red Devils made signings worth over £200m during the summer, with players such as Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte and Matthijs De Ligt joining the club.
In first place, however, are City and United’s rivals Chelsea. After another summer of spending, the Blues’ total has risen to £1.06 billion (€1.28 billion).
Completing the top five are north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham, who sit in fourth and fifth place respectively.
The Gunners have a squad that cost £672m (€798m) to assemble, while their local rivals’ squad cost £663m (€787m) after signing players such as Dominic Solanke for £65m.
Bucking the Premier League trend are French giants Paris Saint-Germain, whose squad is worth a staggering £650m (€772m) following the departure of Kylian Mbappé.
Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte has joined Manchester United from PSG in a £51m deal
Dominic Solanke was the Premier League’s most expensive signing after joining Spurs for £65m
Arsenal have a squad that cost £672m (€798m) to assemble ahead of the new campaign.
The Parisian side are slightly ahead of Liverpool and Real Madrid, the team that Mbappé left France to join. The study indicates that both teams have spent approximately £619m (€735m) and £606m (€720m) respectively.
Interestingly, Atletico Madrid, who made the biggest signing of the summer in Argentine striker Julian Alvarez, spent approximately £418m (€496m) on their squad.
Aside from Europe’s top five leagues, Al-Hilal, with a spending of £420m (€485m), have the most expensive squad.
The Saudi Arabian club heads a trio of compatriots, including Al-Nassr with £235m (€270m), Al-Ittihad with £197m (€226m) and Al-Ahli with £195m (€224m).
In South America, Flamengo is ranked first with a valuation of £181m (€208m). The Brazilian club far exceeds the value of Botafogo’s squad, at £74m (€85m), and that of Palmeiras, at £67m (€77m).
Kylian Mbappé’s transfer from PSG to Real Madrid has reportedly helped boost the Spanish side’s value
Julian Alvarez completed an £81m move from Manchester City to Atletico Madrid in the summer.
In total, 19 countries are represented in the top 100, with a maximum of 24 clubs for England (the 20 Premier League teams and four Championship teams).
Championship side Middlesbrough are 100th on the list, with a squad value of £54m (€65m) – enough to make the list.
