Liverpool have the most expensive squad in the Premier League, moving ahead of Manchester City in a ranking that places reigning champions Arsenal only sixth.
The figures underline the uneven relationship between transfer spending and success. Liverpool’s squad is valued at £980 million despite the club finishing fifth last season without winning a major trophy, while Arsenal’s title-winning group is priced at £848m.
Liverpool lead Premier League squad spending
Liverpool’s rise to the top has been driven by a succession of huge deals. They broke the British transfer record for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak last summer before paying £123m for France winger Bradley Barcola during this year’s transfer window.
Manchester City are just behind on £969m and were the Premier League’s biggest spenders this summer. Their midfield underwent a major overhaul following Rodri’s departure, with Enzo Fernández, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Elliot Anderson arriving in deals that pushed the club’s squad total close to Liverpool’s.
Chelsea occupy third place with a squad valued at £918m. Their spending has been offset to some extent by significant player sales, while the £117m signing of Morgan Rogers and the arrival of Maxence Lacroix have added considerably to the cost of the current group.
Manchester United are fourth on £862m, despite taking a more cautious approach in the latest window. Several expensive signings, including Jadon Sancho and Antony, have already moved on, but the club’s squad still includes a number of high-value players, including new recruit Carlos Baleba.
Tottenham complete the top five with £852m. The scale of their investment will increase pressure on Roberto De Zerbi’s side after two successive 17th-place finishes, with Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Omar Marmoush among the club’s major additions.
Arsenal’s £848m squad ranks sixth, £132m below Liverpool’s total. The Gunners were less active this summer than they had been previously, although the signing of Bruno Guimarães appears modest compared with several of the Premier League’s recent record-breaking deals.
Newcastle United are seventh with £705m, followed by Aston Villa on £495m. The gap between the two clubs is substantial, reflecting a difficult summer for Villa in which more prominent players left than arrived.
Brighton’s squad is valued at £421m, with Brentford narrowly ahead of Bournemouth in 10th and 11th on £379m and £378m respectively. All three clubs have built reputations for developing players who later command sizeable transfer fees.
Nottingham Forest are 12th on £347m, with Liam Delap among their notable investments. Ipswich Town and Fulham are level on £311m, while Crystal Palace sit 15th on £281m after losing several high-profile players in recent transfer windows.
Everton’s squad is ranked 16th at £268m, with Leeds United just below them on £240m. The figures suggest neither club has attempted to spend its way out of a potential relegation battle.
Sunderland are 18th on £232m, ahead of Coventry City on £174m and Hull City on £160m. Hull have made an encouraging start despite having the league’s least expensive squad, taking six points from their opening six matches.
The contrast with Tottenham is stark: Spurs have assembled a squad costing almost £600m more than Hull’s, yet are reported to be bottom of the table with no points and no goals.
