Fans of the Premier League know that the football season never really ends. And during the summer, that is down to the drama of the ever-lucrative transfer window.
The league's 20 teams will have either exceeded expectations or underwhelmed during the previous campaign. But one thing that unites both the top teams and clubs looking to climb the table is the endless need to identify gaps in their squads and improve. But of course, this will not be achieved without significant financial outlays.
The billion mark has already been passed by Premier League clubs this summer, with some teams splashing some serious cash. Meanwhile, some teams will be a little more patient, hoping that a few affordable gems present themselves before that window firmly shuts.
20-16
Aston Villa comfortably sit bottom after the sales of Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Donyell Malen, and now Ezri Konsa, who has completed a £51m move to Premier League title holders Arsenal. But they have since reinvested almost £100m of those fees in World Cup up-and-comer Johan Manzambi and Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes, as well as Alejandro Garnacho arriving on loan.
Nottingham Forest have also got a healthy bank balance right now, with their limited spend including having signed and subsequently loaned out Portugal talent Gustavo Sa, though the capture of Ousmane Diomande could be an exceptional bit of business. The other way, their biggest departure has provided a significant financial boost, as Elliot Anderson moved to Manchester City for a reported £116m.
Newcastle staged something of a fire-sale this summer, with most of the £236m raised down to selling Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes. But they have reinvested in youthful prospects, with several substantial transfer fees paid out this summer already.
Crystal Palace have acquired Dwight McNeil this summer, shifting Brennan Johnson the other way, while they have parted ways with Chelsea-bound Maxence Lacroix for a cool £52m, leaving them £25.5m in the black.
Manchester City has focused on youth this window, whilst recouping respectable fees for defensive duo Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake. The main story surrounding City's transfer window was the arrival of Elliot Anderson for £116m, but this has since turned to the exit of Rodri, who has joined Barcelona for £65m.
Premier League Clubs' Net Spend (20-16) | ||||
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15-11
Most of the clubs towards the bottom end of this list have still spent a fair amount of money, with the exception of Sunderland. At just £24m spent in total, the Black Cats are miles off their previous season's total spend of £183m, which came as a result of a cash injection from winning the Championship playoffs.
Brighton has been enthusiastic thus far, having already broken the £100m mark. The Seagulls have spent money on six signings, the most expensive being a £46m move for Tottenham centre back Luka Vuskovic. Jan Paul van Hecke's move in the opposite direction has, however, effectively cancelled out that significant fee.
Manchester United seem to be focused on restructuring their midfield. Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have arrived from Premier League rivals for healthy fees, whilst the permanent departure of Rasmus Hojlund has helped to partially fund their new arrivals. The club have also bid farewell to Jadon Sancho and Casemiro as free agents, which will free up some space on the club's wage bill.
Leeds have been a bit more daring, chancing their arm on Bosnian World Cup star Tarik Muharemovic and stealing Harry Wilson away from Fulham on a free transfer. The move for the former has been balanced out by the sale of the long-serving Pascal Struijk, who joins Brighton.
Fulham's biggest loss this summer has been that of Harry Wilson on a free transfer, but they have also managed to bring in Shea Charles from Southampton, and Gonzalo Garcia, who Alvarao Arbeloa raided old club Real Madrid for.
Premier League Clubs' Net Spend (15-11) | ||||
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10-6
Next is Bournemouth, who are set to make their debut in European football this season. Their lack of player sales this season is a far-cry from last season's mammoth £266m haul, thanks mostly to the sales of Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City, Ilya Zabarnyi to PSG, Dean Huijsen Real Madrid, and Milos Kerkez to Liverpool. This season, Marcos Senesi has left for Tottenham on a free, but their only income is the £8m recouped for selling Hamed Traore and Luis Sinisterra.
Hull are back in the Premier League, but they have instead opted to balance the books, with a similar amount of arrivals to departures.
Everton surely need to do more business if they are to improve on their bottom-half finish last term. But David Moyes has invested in youth for the Toffees, with Chelsea's Tyrique George with the highest profile among his quartet of new arrivals, while Brennan Johnson was part of the deal that saw Dwight McNeil go the other way to Palace.
Brentford just missed out on European qualification last season and look determined to right that wrong this season. They have made two significant money transfers in Burnley's Jaidon Anthony and Austrian prospect Jannik Schuster.
Liverpool have lost a few key personnel on free transfers, but they have made two big money signings. Jeremy Jacquet arrives from Rennes after agreeing a £54m deal in January. World Cup winner VÃctor Munoz has also been signed as another strong option on the wing, with Ronald Araujo coming in on loan.
Premier League Clubs' Net Spend (10-6) | ||||
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5-1
Roberto De Zerbi's Tottenham makeover is full steam ahead with over £200m already spent. Spurs have made a few smart moves in Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, with the duo arriving as free transfers. But they have completed a massive outlay so far on Sandro Tonali, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Mateus Fernandes, with more new faces expected.
Coventry City have returned to the Premier League after 25 years away, plucking talent from Burnley, Brentford, and Frankfurt for new personnel. But they are yet to make any significant sales this summer. They are joined by another newly-promoted team in Ipswich, who have reached £100m in expenditure. Ipswich are yet to pay any eyebrow-raising fees, instead opting for quantity. They have recruited 12 players so far, with £26m signing Julio Enciso the most expensive among them.
Reigning champions Arsenal have made four major signings. Greek winger Christos Tzolis arrives from Club Brugge alongside Piero Hincapie earlier in the window, before Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle and their latest addition to an already solid back-line, Ezri Konsa. Hincapie was on loan at Arsenal last season, and has now had his move made permanent for £34m. Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior's exits have offset some of those fees.
But top of the pile are Todd Boehly-backed Chelsea, who have splashed well over £300m. A number of lucrative, young players have arrived at Stamford Bridge, such as Marco Palestra, but the intent lies in their two biggest signings. Aston Villa couldn't resist the £118m bid for Morgan Rogers, with the England international swapping the Midlands for the capital. French defender Maxence Lacroix has also moved across London from Crystal Palace for £52m as Xabi Alonso looks to make an impact during his first season in charge.
Premier League Clubs' Net Spend (5-1) | ||||
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