Summer transfer window for Premier League closes

Pedro Portal (MCT)

Luis Suarez, who was transferred to Barcelona for $122 million, falls on the ground as Radamel Falcao, who was loaned to Manchester United for $9.79 million, shoots.

Cameron Stephens, Staff Writer

According to the BBC, Premier League clubs spent $1.36 billion in this summer’s transfer window.

Barcelona’s signing of Luis Suarez from Liverpool was the most expensive transfer this summer, at a cost of $122 million.

Meanwhile, Manchester United spent $242 million in a massive spending spree to rebuild an aging squad that finished seventh last season. Manchester United’s signings include Angel di Maria for $97.3 million, a British transfer record from Real Madrid, Daley Blind for over $20 million, and Radamel Falcao, from AS Monaco, on loan for a fee of $9.78 million.

Sophomore Matthias Von Zeier said, “[Angel Di Maria] is worth $97.3 million, but he isn’t worth that to Manchester United. That $97.3 million should have been used to bring in defensive talent to improve a terrible back line.”

Liverpool were the next biggest spenders, with a total outlay of $191 million and about $80 million going to Southampton for just three players. Chelsea spent $149 million on Filipe Luis, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa, the star striker for Atlético Madrid. Arsenal spent $134 million to bring in players like Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez. Southampton spent $94.5 million, but received $150 million from sales of players, while Manchester City spent about $80 million.

Manchester United, Everton, Hull City, Leicester City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace all broke their transfer records in the window. $497 million was used to purchase players from outside of England, which is 63% of the total transfer outlay.

The second highest spending league, Spain’s La Liga, spent $693 million on transfers. Italy’s Serie A spent $424 million, the German Bundesliga spent $407 million. Meanwhile France’s Ligue 1 spent about $163 million.