The English Premier League never stops surprising. The summer transfer window that closed was a record-breaking one in several aspects. A significant part of the records was set on the last day of the transfer window, which traditionally is particularly hot. Manchester United’s £82m purchase of Antony is worth a lot.
This deal helped set a new record for Premier League spending, almost reaching £1.9 billion. The previous summer record was established in 2017 at £1.4 billion. Nine of England’s twenty elite clubs spent more than £100 million.
EPL clubs have spent more on purchases than Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A and the German Bundesliga. Chelsea spent more in one window than any other club in Premier League history. Manchester United broke their own summer spending record. Nottingham Forest has signed more players in one transfer window than any other British club in history. In a brief glimpse, that is a summary of the achievements that have already marked 2022.
The total spending of twenty clubs during the transfer window opened from June 10 to September 1 was 67% higher than last summer (£1.1 billion). Deloitte says that more money has been spent in the 2022–23 season than in any other season with two transfer windows.
The transfer deadline day is always a particularly busy one. 14 of the 20 Premier League clubs signed at least one newcomer on the final day. And here are the most notable acquisitions of the last day.
Manchester City has strengthened their defence by signing Swiss international Manuel Akanji from Borussia Dortmund on a five-year deal. Manchester United have not only signed the previously mentioned Antony but have also signed Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka on loan for the season.
Everton has signed a couple of midfielders. Senegal international Idrissa Gueye has returned to Goodison Park from PSG, while James Garner has transferred from Manchester United. Liverpool has also strengthened their midfield, signing Brazilian Arthur Melo from Juventus on a season-long loan. Leicester have signed Belgian Reims defender Wout Faes on a five-year deal. He is set to replace Wesley Fofana, who left for Chelsea for around £70m.
Chelsea has announced the signing of Aubameyang from Barcelona for two years and the loan of Zakaria from Juventus for a year. The club’s new administration has spent more in one transfer window than any other Premier League club. More than £250m has been spent on Sterling, Cucurella, Coulibaly, Aubameyang.
Meanwhile, Manchester United beat their spending record and finished second on the Premier League spending list. In the summer, United signed Casemiro, Eriksen, Martinez and Antony. The total cost amounted to around £214m.
Major forward signings are also marked this summer. Manchester City and Liverpool were the centres of attention with the signings of Haaland and Nunez, respectively. But there was also the purchase of Aubameyang by Chelsea and Jesús by Arsenal. West Ham signed Scamacca and Newcastle signed Isak. The last two deals were record-breaking for those clubs.
