CIES Football Observatory have revealed the top 100 most expensive squads in football, taking into account transfer fees, add-ons and loans.
- Four teams, including three in the Premier League, head the list having spent €1billion or more
- Saudi Pro-League leaders Al-Hilal are the only team outside of Europe to feature in the top 20
Mos Expensive Squads in Football
CIES Football Observatory, an all-ecnompassing football database dealing in all things related to transfer value, have confirmed the most expensive squads in football in the 430th edition of their weekly report.
Transfer fees, outstanding loans and performance-based add-ons are all taken into account, and we have listed the top 20 along with how much their squads cost to assemble below.
- Manchester United – €1.15bn
- Chelsea – €1.13bn
- Manchester City – €1.04bn
- Paris Saint-Germanin – €1bn
- Arsenal – €836m
- Tottenham – €829m
- Liverpool – €770m
- Real Madrid – €708m
- Newcastle United – €661m
- West Ham United – €505m
- Aston Villa – €486m
- Bayern Munich – €481m
- Juventus – €473m
- Everton – €418m
- RB Leipzig – €399m
- Napoli – €392m
- Atletico Madrid – €387m
- Al-Hilal – €382m
- Barcelona – €375m
- Nottingham Forest – €365m
It is no surprise to see the Premier League dominate the top 20, with 11 teams making it into the top 20% of the most expensive squads in football. This summer window of 2023 was the most startling example of the league’s spending power, with its combined transfer fees amounting to well over £2bn marking the first time it has surpassed that milestone.
Eight teams who currently occupy bottom-half spots in the Premier League feature in the top 50, along with Championship sides Leicester, Leeds and Southampton who were all relegated last year.
It is interesting to note that every English top-flight team bar Luton also feature in the top 100 – the most representation of any league. The Serie A is the next-nearest with 15 out of 20 teams, while La Liga follow in third with 12 along with the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 in joint-fourth (11).
Outside of Europe, the Saudi Pro League have shot up into the top 100 after heavy investment from Saudi Arabia‘s Public Investment Fund. The influx of decorated names from some of Europe’s elite clubs sees four Pro League teams muscle their way into the top 100 – the most of any league outside of Europe.
The report also divulges interesting spending habits on certain player positions, which we have outlined below.
Most Money Spent on Goalkeepers
- Liverpool – €73m
- Manchester United – €61m
- Real Madrid – €54m
Most Money Spent on Defenders
- Manchester United – €383m
- Manchester City – €361m
- Chelsea – €345m
Most Money Spent on Midfielders
- Real Madrid – €447m
- Chelsea – €423m
- Arsenal – €374m
Most Money Spent on Forwards
- Paris Saint-Germain – €557m
- Manchester United – €411m
- Liverpool – €320m
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