Premier League clubs scout far and wide in search of new talent with England’s top flight having become increasingly cosmopolitan since its relaunch in 1992-93.
But in which leagues have Premier League clubs most often splashed the cash? We’ve looked at the five other leagues that Premier League clubs have spent the most money in on new signings.
5. Bundesliga – £1.93 billion (164 signings)
Germany’s top tier ranks fifth on this list with £1.93bn spent on 164 players from the Bundesliga since 1992-93.
Some of English football’s greatest imports have arrived from the division, with Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg) and Roberto Firmino (Hoffenheim) among the biggest success stories.
Last summer, Manchester City broke the record for the most expensive Bundesliga import after signing Josko Gvardiol in a £77m deal from RB Leipzig.
4. Serie A – £2.04 billion (203 signings)
Premier League clubs have breached the £2bn barrier when it comes to Serie A signings, with the 203 imports from Italy totalling up a significant sum.
On three occasions have Premier League clubs broken the British transfer record to sign players from Serie A, with Juan Sebastien Veron (Manchester United), Andriy Shevchenko (Chelsea) and Paul Pogba (Manchester United) all costing record fees.
ON THIS DAY: In 2016, Manchester United re-signed Paul Pogba for a then world-record fee of £89.3m from Juventus.
He remains Man Utd’s record signing. ???? pic.twitter.com/oVwhknBWWg
— Squawka (@Squawka) August 8, 2021
The most expensive arrival from Italy is Chelsea’s re-signing of Romelu Lukaku after the Belgian returned to Stamford Bridge for £98.5m in 2022. Just four Premier League players have ever cost more.
3. La Liga – £2.47 billion (317 signings)
La Liga ranks third for overall cost and second for number of players signed.
Spain has had quite the impact on English football, with the likes of Pep Guardiola and Rafael Benitez winning big trophies as head coaches, and technicians in David Silva and Cesc Fabregas among those who have altered how the game is viewed on these shores.
Remarkably, however, none of the 15 most expensive Premier League transfers have come from La Liga. Spanish football, however, is responsible for the three most expensive Premier League sales to other leagues, after big-money deals for Philippe Coutinho, Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale.
2. Ligue 1 – £2.55 billion (307 signings)
French football has been regularly raided for top talent with 307 players making the short trip across the channel.
Nicolas Pepe’s £72m move to Arsenal is the biggest Ligue 1 to Premier League deal, with Tanguy Ndombele’s club-record £55m move to Tottenham from Lyon a close second. It’s fair to say that neither of the North London rivals got value for those deals.
1. Championship – £2.89 billion (765 signings)
Premier League clubs have spent more money in the Championship than anywhere else since 1992-93.
Second-tier shopping has cost Premier League clubs a mammoth £2.89 billion over the years, with 765 players making the step up into the top flight in that time. Recently relegated sides have often found themselves pillaged, with last summer’s window seeing Romeo Lavia (£52m), James Maddison (£40m) and Harvey Barnes (£39m) return to the Premier League for big fees.
We are delighted to announce the signing of Archie Gray from Leeds United ????
Welcome to Tottenham Hotspur, Archie! ????
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 2, 2024
Until Archie Gray’s recent £40m transfer from Leeds to Tottenham, the most expensive Championship signing to have never previously played in the Premier League was Ollie Watkins, who joined Aston Villa for a fee that could reach £33m in 2020.
Read – Seven Euro 2024 stars we expect to move clubs this summer
See more – Five Premier League players to watch at the 2024 Olympics
Subscribe to our social channels:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
