CIES released a new study compiling the most expensive squads in Europe’s top 5 leagues, finding that – surprise, surprise – Manchester United have the costliest team.
The Red Devils land themselves in number one spot in the very same year which they broke the transfer fee record when signing Paul Pogba from Juventus.
The research, which “analyses the sums spent in transfer fees by big-5 league teams to assemble their current squad”, found that the Red Devils invested €718m – up by €185m from last season – on their current squad.
In second place comes Real Madrid, a no-brainer given that the second and third most expensive players in history star for the Blancos.
According to the findings, Les Merengues paid €634m for their current crop of players, up €47m from 2015/16.
In third are Man City, the club whose lineup has undergone an overhaul upon Pep Guardiola’s arrival.
Having signed the likes of Leroy Sane, Ilkay Gundogan, Nolito, Claudio Bravo, and John Stones, the Citizens total cost for their squad is tallied at €611m. That is a €78m increase from last season.
There was no room for Barca in the top three, as the reigning Spanish champions came in at fourth at €485m.
Five of the top 10 clubs were English, showing the new trend of hefty prices for Premier League transfers. The only Italian club in the top 10 was Juventus, coming in 7th with €395m.
The top 10 most expensive squads in Europe top five leagues
- Man United: €718m
- Real Madrid: €634m
- Man City: €611m
- Barcelona: €485m
- Chelsea: €481m
- PSG: €455m
- Juve: €395m
- Arsenal: €381m
- Bayern: €357m
- Liverpool: €356m
