Sport
Money madness – summer transfer window set to be a record breaker
The action on the pitch is now underway, but there is still plenty of action set to happen off it in the transfer market before the window closes at the end of the month.
If we thought the opening round of games were exciting, the movements in the transfer window could be even more exciting in the final two weeks as clubs look to finalise their squads.
This summer’s transfer window is set to be a record breaker as we are on course for the first £1billion spend in a transfer window as Premier League spending is now approaching £800million.
Premier League clubs spent a record £870 million in the summer 2015 transfer window, but that is sure to be surpassed this summer.
Plenty of clubs have been active in reshaping their squads for the new campaign and £30m-plus fees have almost become the norm in the Premier League.
There were only five £30m-plus transfers last summer, but there have been eight already this year and it would come as no surprise if that number is in double figures by the time the window closes.
It has been eventful so far with an English club breaking the world transfer record for the only second time since 1951 with Manchester United forking out £89million to bring Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford from Juventus.
Not to be outdone United’s neighbours Manchester City have made John Stones the second most expensive defender in history following his £47.5million move from Everton.
The influx of money from the new TV deal means Premier League clubs are able to spend more than ever this summer and it has helped level the playing field in the transfer market as the so-called smaller clubs can compete on a financial front with the country’s elite clubs.
Long gone are the days of the big four clubs having their own way in the transfer market and that has been illustrated in that the likes of Burnley, Bournemouth,Crystal Palace,Leicester, Watford and West Ham all breaking their transfer records this summer.
The stakes are high in the Premier League and it is fair to say that the next couple of weeks will be lively as clubs battle each other for those signings they feel could make the difference to their hopes of success or failure.
Last season’s shock Premier League title success for 5,000/1 outsiders Leicester has forced the big boys to spend big in a bid to restore natural order.
As expected United and City lead the way on the amount of money spent and there could still be some major activity at Old Trafford and the Etihad as both club vie for supremacy in the Premier League this season.
While at the other end of the spectrum we have managerless Hull, with just 13 fit senior professionals, yet to make a signing this summer.
Hull will have to be busy between now and the close of the window if they are to have any realistic chance of staying up.
Middlesbrough have been the busiest club in the Premier League so far with nine new signings, but they could be overtaken before the end of the month as clubs start to panic the closer we get to deadline day.
The clock is ticking towards the deadline of August 31 and we can be sure of more twists and turns and big-money arrivals before the window slams shut until the New Year.
On the field this looks like being the hardest ever season to predict but one thing we can predict with so much money floating around, is that this looks like being the most exciting transfer window to date.
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