Man Utd transfer spending exposed with Arsenal and Chelsea completely blown away | Football | Sport

Manchester United have been revealed as the top net spenders in European football transfers over the past five years, according to a UEFA report published in The Telegraph. The European Club Finance and Investment Landscape study also underscored the financial supremacy of the Premier League relative to other major leagues. This was particularly evident in the surge in television revenue for English clubs to €1.5billion (£1.3bn).

This staggering sum nearly matches the combined €1.6bn (£1.4bn) received by 53 other top-tier European leagues. Despite benefiting from this significant financial windfall, United’s specific shortcomings have been laid bare by UEFA, with a net transfer spend of £692million between 2021-2025. Significant losses on players such as Antony and Paul Pogba have undoubtedly contributed to this figure, despite other Premier League clubs spending more.

Chelsea and Arsenal, for instance, have both splashed out hefty transfer fees during the five-year period, resulting in net spends of £656m and £587m respectively. England’s financial dominance has also translated into on-pitch success, with six teams reaching the last-16 of this season’s Champions League.

To enable UEFA to release their findings, an examination of financial records spanning 2021 to 2025 was conducted. This encompassed the consequences of all transfer dealings throughout the five-year period, incorporating sale profits, amortisation from earlier transfers and impairments.

Within the report, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin stated: “After a decade that included one of the toughest periods our sport and our society have faced, European football has come through in a strong position.

“Club revenues have grown steadily across the board, and top-division income is expected to pass €30bn in the 2025 financial year.”

United have experienced some encouraging financial developments of late, with their most recent accounts revealing an operating profit of £32.6million for the opening six months of the financial year.

Compared to the £3.9m deficit recorded during the equivalent timeframe in the previous year, this represents a substantial improvement, with such progress attributed to strategic cost-control measures approved by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

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It appeared United faced a difficult financial spell without European competition and the substantial revenue it generates, though this hasn’t proved entirely accurate.

There has nevertheless been a predictable decline in commercial and matchday income due to fewer fixtures, with the club approximately £9m worse off.

United chief executive Omar Berrada commented: “We are now seeing the positive financial impact of our off-pitch transformation materialise both in our costs and profitability. We continue to take a football first approach and invest in both our men’s and women’s first teams.

“On the pitch our men’s team sits fourth in the Premier League and our women’s team are second in the Women’s Super League, as well as reaching the League Cup final and the quarter-final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

“Today’s results demonstrate the underlying strength of our business as we continue to push for the best football results possible for our men’s and women’s teams.”

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