The Premier League has broken its own transfer-spending record for the second season running. Clubs spent roughly £3.46 billion in the 2026 summer window, smashing last summer's record of £3.14 billion, and more than tripling the £1.13 billion spent five years ago. Deadline day alone accounted for £475 million of that total.
Manchester City were the biggest spenders, with outlay reaching £458 million — a new Premier League single-window record — offset by £304 million recouped through player sales. Chelsea were second at roughly £349 million, though £382 million in sales left them with a net profit. More than half of Premier League clubs broke their individual transfer records this summer, and four of the five most expensive deals in league history — Enzo Fernández, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Rogers and Bradley Barcola — were completed in this single window.
The spending isn't confined to the traditional giants: promoted clubs also spent heavily given the enormous financial rewards for staying in the league, pushing deals of £50m, £70m and even £100m-plus into what is becoming a routine occurrence.