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English football dominates the top 10 clubs spending the most money the past decade, with six, while Spain has two representatives, and France and Italy each have one, according to the German transfer statistics website Transfermarkt.
Liverpool - $1.32 billion
Liverpool's most expensive signing since the summer of 2015 has been striker Darwin Nunez from Benfica for $90 million. Over the same period, the club has secured eight titles, including one Champions League, one Premier League, one FA Cup, one Community Shield, one UEFA Super Cup, one FIFA Club World Cup, and two EFL Cups.
Atletico Madrid - $1.34 billion
The Madrid club made a bargain from their $79 million signing of Julian Alvarez, who has scored 20 goals in 39 games this season, from Manchester City. However, the $133-million Joao Felix from Benfica has been far from successful. Over the past decade, Atletico have only won three trophies: La Liga, the Europa League, and the UEFA Super Cup.
Tottenham - $1.37 billion
Despite spending a fortune in transfers over the past 10 years, Tottenham have yet to see a return on investment, remaining trophyless since 2008. Their record signing is Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth for $68 million this season.
Arsenal - $1.51 billion
After years of financial restraint to fund the construction of the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal started spending more towards the end of Arsene Wenger’s tenure, which ended in the summer of 2018. In the summer of 2023, they broke their transfer record by signing Declan Rice from West Ham for $123 million.
Despite their significant investment, Arsenal have only won six trophies in the past decade: two FA Cups and four Community Shields, still falling short of Premier League and Champions League glory.
Barcelona - $1.67 billion
Barcelona’s biggest signings in the last 10 years have all been unsuccessful, including Philippe Coutinho ($142 million), Ousmane Dembele ($142 million), and Antoine Griezmann ($126 million).
Nonetheless, the club has managed to claim 14 trophies during the same period, including four La Liga titles, four Copa del Rey titles, four Spanish Super Cups, one UEFA Super Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup.
Juventus - $1.9 billion
The only Italian club in the top 10, Juventus broke the record when they signed Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid for $122 million. Their massive spending has contributed to winning 12 trophies: five Serie A titles, five Coppa Italia titles, and two Italian Super Cups.
Paris Saint-Germain - $1.98 billion
The only French club on the list, PSG set a world record by signing Neymar from Barcelona for $263 million. Their second-most expensive signing was Kylian Mbappe from Monaco for $200 million.
Over the past decade, PSG have won 26 titles: seven Ligue 1 titles, six Coupe de France titles, four Coupe de la Ligue titles, and nine Trophée des Champions.
Manchester United - $2.07 billion
One of United's most high-profile transfers in the past decade was Paul Pogba, who rejoined from Juventus in 2016 for $118 million. However, Pogba, like many other expensive signings, failed to live up to expectations. As a result, United have only secured six trophies in the past 10 years: one Europa League, two FA Cups, two EFL Cups, and one Community Shield.
Manchester City - $2.16 billion
City's most expensive signing in the past decade was Jack Grealish from Aston Villa for $123 million. Thanks to their heavy investment over the years, the club has secured 19 trophies, including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five EFL Cups, three Community Shields, one Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup.
Chelsea - $2.92 billion
The majority of this spending has come under new owner Todd Boehly, who took over in 2022. Chelsea set a Premier League transfer record by signing Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for $127 million. However, Chelsea’s six trophies in the past decade all came under previous owner Roman Abramovich, including one Champions League, one Europa League, one Premier League title, one FA Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup.
