Clubs splash the cash with summer spree

MANCHESTER United’s recent transfer splurge, including breaking the British record with the near £60m signing of Argentina winger Angel di Maria, has made this summer the most valuable ever, according to Deloitte.

With just hours remaining until the close of the 2014 summer transfer window,  the firm’s analysis shows that gross transfer spending by Premier League clubs has already smashed previous records. 

The current spending total of more than £750m surpasses last year’s previous record by almost £100m.
 
Dan Jones, Manchester-based partner in the firm’s Sports Business Group, said: “This summer transfer window is one of records.  It has so far seen a higher level of spending than in any previous window, with a new record gross spend in a single window for a single Premier League club, and has included a record transfer fee for an individual player in English football.  

“Considering that in each of the last two summer windows more than 20% of total Premier League clubs’ spending has occurred on deadline day, there is still potential for a significant increase in that figure.
 
“There are a number of factors contributing to this summer’s spend, including the showcase for global talent a World Cup provides. However, one of the main drivers of Premier League spending continues to be the increased resources clubs now have as a result of improved broadcast deals.

“Last season the average Premier League club received around £25m more in central broadcast distributions than they did in 2012/13, which helped fuel a record transfer window last summer. We are again seeing Premier League clubs use these resources to contribute to what is a new record this summer.”
 
Manchester City, one of the top spenders in the last five years, has been forced to rein-in its expenditure as a result of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play sanctions.

Everton has smashed its transfer record buying Belgain striker Lukaku from Chelsea, while Liverpool’s £70m sale of controversial forward Luis Suarez has fuelled a spending spree by the Anfield club too.

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