LONDON (AP) — A study shows top-division soccer clubs in England, Spain and Italy spent almost $2 billion on new players in the summer transfer window.
Analysis by business advisory firm Deloitte says England’s Premier League led the way, with teams spending $790 million — an increase of 33 percent from 2010.
Clubs in Italy ($651 million) and Spain ($488 million) also spent more than in the same period last year. Total outlay in Germany was at a similar level as last year. The transfer window closed Wednesday night.
In England, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal were the biggest movers, spending more than $81 million each to make up around 66 percent of the league’s overall amount.