Money Festival

During the winter transfer window, the Premier League discussed salary caps, spending restrictions and financial sustainability.

When summer comes, everything becomes a “football consumer festival” and shows no signs of moderation.

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MU calls for savings but still spends a lot on the duo Cunha and Mbeumo. Photo: MUFC

As of 23 July, the 20 teams in the 2025/26 Premier League had spent a total of €1.845 billion on player transfers alone – more than the other four major European leagues combined: Serie A (€666 million), Bundesliga (€476), La Liga (€409) and Ligue 1 (€238).

On the "money-spending island", MU spent 150 million euros to strengthen the attack with Bryan Mbeumo, who has no place in the French team so plays for Cameroon, and Matheus Cunha.

Last season, MU finished 6th from bottom, lost the Europa League final and did not qualify for the European Cup - a rare event in the context of up to 9 English teams competing in the continent in the new season.

It is understandable that the "Red Devils" rushed into the transfer market with enthusiasm, because they believe that Mbeumo (20 goals for Brentford) and Cunha (15 goals for Wolves) will help solve the goal problem.

However, the team that broke the market was defending champion Liverpool – when they spent 125 million euros to recruit Florian Wirtz, and 95 million euros for Hugo Ekitike (this figure depends on future performance) – who Frankfurt bought for 16 million euros a year ago.

Liverpool have spent more than 300 million euros this summer so far, adding full-backs Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.

With four new signings, they cost more than the entire amount of money Real Madrid spent during the pandemic period until the beginning of this summer.

The transfer window is still more than a month away, and the spending spree is far from over.

Arsenal spent 142 million euros and are about to complete the deal for Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon (about 70 million euros).

MU also participated in the race for Ekitike, where Newcastle were also involved, and they continue to look for more reinforcements.

Meanwhile, Man City, despite spending 146 million euros before the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, still feel lacking - first of all, buying back goalkeeper James Trafford.

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Liverpool makes noise in transfer. Photo: LFC

For their part, Chelsea spent €100m on Joao Pedro and Delap on their way to winning the Club World Cup, and have thrown another €143m into the market. They are about to add Xavi Simons and Jorrel Hato.

Argumentative

The spending cap plan – although approved – continues to be delayed for at least a year.

The reason given is the need for further legal analysis to avoid viewing capital injections from club owners as “financial doping” , as criticized by La Liga president Javier Tebas.

“This is a tournament based on huge losses of the clubs ,” Mr. Tebas once declared. That is: spending more than earning, even though the revenue is also very large.

For example, the new TV rights deal in the UK alone is worth €1.956bn over the next four years – up 4% – but also includes 70 more matches to be broadcast.

That means the average value earned per match is reduced. The value of international television rights is similar, resulting in a total revenue of almost 4 billion euros.

Ultimately, the story revolves around financial management. Nottingham Forest were docked four points for exceeding their allowed losses, but are now back in Europe after 29 years.

With Liverpool , the Financial Times explains that the usually cautious team's sudden "spending" is due to an increase of 100 million euros in revenue, and a transfer policy that makes annual depreciation costs lower than other competitors.

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Chelsea have been shopping a lot and will not stop. Photo: CFC

Depreciation expense is the gradual allocation of transfer costs over the contract term (up to 5 years).

Chelsea's trick is to sign a very long contract to spread this cost. Liverpool, on the other hand, only have to account for 23 million euros for Wirtz and 15 million euros for Ekitike this year.

Total depreciation of this year's deals is almost equal to the increase in revenue.

Liverpool earn more than ever (€743m in 2023/24), but losses increase from €10m to €69m.

The Premier League is, in some ways, a gamble and a gamble, where everyone admits a bubble has formed.

“The English football system is under great strain. A long-term strategy is needed to ensure the financial stability of the entire league,” Deloitte’s latest report concludes.

However, at least this summer, clubs are still turning the transfer market into a spending festival.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/premier-league-chuyen-nhuong-ky-luc-le-hoi-tieu-tien-bong-da-2426089.html