
Writer, analyst, podcaster, Spurs fan. Three out of four is not bad. If there is a data angle, I will find it.
The money in football, particularly at the top level, is astronomical, with nine-figure transfer fees proving almost normal in the modern game. Many of Europe’s top clubs have spent large sums of money to maintain their status as Europe’s best. However, one league outside of Europe decided to board the spending train in the 2023 summer transfer window.
In the last few years, Saudi Arabia has made serious investments in the world of sport, particularly in boxing, golf, and football. In football alone, just under €1 billion was spent in the summer of 2023 on transfer fees, not to mention the players’ salaries. But how does the Saudi Pro League’s spending compare to Europe’s top five leagues?
We’ve examined market and purchase values, net spending, and average league positions to reveal the worst-spending teams.
SC Freiburg are the best spenders in Football, with a spending score of 8.05/10
We’ve looked at the percentage difference between market value and purchase value, net transfer balance, and average league position to determine the best spenders in Europe’s top five leagues and Saudi Arabia.
Rank | Team | League | Market Value | Purchase Value | Difference | Percentage Difference Between Market Value and Purchase Value | Expenditure Between 19/20 - 23/24 Seasons | Income Between 19/20 - 23/24 Seasons | Net Transfer Balance Between 19/20 - 23/24 Seasons | Average League Position | Transfer Spending Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | SC Freiburg | Bundesliga | €177.05m | €46.40m | €130.65m | 281.6% | €64.75m | €124.73m | €59.98m | 7.00 | 8.05 |
2 | Real Sociedad | La Liga | €431.10m | €90.90m | €340.20m | 374.3% | €114.65m | €125.05m | €10.40m | 5.40 | 7.91 |
3 | Olympique Lyon | Ligue 1 | €192.40m | €52.79m | €139.61m | 264.5% | €237.75m | €493.58m | €255.83m | 8.80 | 7.90 |
4 | LOSC Lille | Ligue 1 | €226.60m | €112.70m | €113.90m | 101.1% | €221.63m | €493.03m | €271.40m | 4.80 | 7.88 |
5 | Girona FC | La Liga | €161.10m | €38.25m | €122.85m | 321.2% | €42.95m | €55.82m | €12.87m | 6.00 | 7.76 |
6 | VfB Stuttgart | Bundesliga | €222.80m | €48.25m | €174.55m | 361.8% | €92.44m | €230.41m | €137.97m | 11.00 | 7.67 |
7 | UD Las Palmas | La Liga | €53.90m | €5.85m | €48.05m | 821.4% | €5.87m | €33.16m | €27.30m | 9.00 | 7.64 |
8 | Inter Milan | Serie A | €563.35m | €223.10m | €340.25m | 152.5% | €495.70m | €507.69m | €11.99m | 1.80 | 7.61 |
9 | Villarreal CF | La Liga | €188.20m | €66.33m | €121.87m | 183.7% | €153.78m | €247.39m | €93.61m | 7.60 | 7.58 |
10 | Le Havre AC | Ligue 1 | €56.60m | €2.90m | €53.70m | 1851.7% | €6.15m | €26.10m | €19.95m | 10.00 | 7.49 |
11 | Eintracht Frankfurt | Bundesliga | €211.65m | €100.00m | €111.65m | 111.7% | €190.79m | €321.30m | €130.52m | 8.00 | 7.26 |
12 | Al-Fateh SC | Saudi Pro League | €20.28m | €4.74m | €15.53m | 327.6% | €12.52m | €22.07m | €9.55m | 8.20 | 7.14 |
13 | Montpellier HSC | Ligue 1 | €95.45m | €26.95m | €68.50m | 254.2% | €49.05m | €112.75m | €63.70m | 11.00 | 7.02 |
14 | Atalanta BC | Serie A | €324.60m | €218.61m | €105.99m | 48.5% | €360.40m | €517.86m | €157.46m | 5.20 | 6.90 |
15 | RB Leipzig | Bundesliga | €499.60m | €335.75m | €163.85m | 48.8% | €502.62m | €552.77m | €50.15m | 3.00 | 6.84 |
16 | Real Betis Balompié | La Liga | €202.80m | €110.50m | €92.30m | 83.5% | €134.20m | €197.45m | €63.25m | 7.80 | 6.82 |
17 | Stade Rennais FC | Ligue 1 | €280.50m | €169.90m | €110.60m | 65.1% | €352.06m | €393.82m | €41.76m | 5.80 | 6.76 |
18 | Atlético de Madrid | La Liga | €472.00m | €361.10m | €110.91m | 30.7% | €488.25m | €541.60m | €53.35m | 2.80 | 6.75 |
19 | Valencia CF | La Liga | €178.90m | €64.45m | €114.45m | 177.6% | €111.30m | €226.85m | €115.55m | 11.40 | 6.73 |
20 | RC Lens | Ligue 1 | €212.55m | €95.80m | €116.75m | 121.9% | €153.58m | €158.99m | €5.41m | 5.50 | 6.67 |
21 | Frosinone Calcio | Serie A | €62.55m | €6.04m | €56.52m | 935.8% | €9.46m | €23.93m | €14.48m | 13.00 | 6.61 |
22 | Athletic Bilbao | La Liga | €218.80m | €46.35m | €172.45m | 372.1% | €12.00m | - | -€12.00m | 8.40 | 6.55 |
23 | FC Empoli | Serie A | €89.60m | €18.40m | €71.20m | 387.0% | €52.46m | €156.21m | €103.75m | 15.33 | 6.52 |
24 | Borussia Dortmund | Bundesliga | €442.80m | €312.60m | €130.20m | 41.7% | €417.75m | €441.60m | €23.85m | 2.80 | 6.49 |
25 | 1.FC Köln | Bundesliga | €95.60m | €15.80m | €79.80m | 505.1% | €48.55m | €61.32m | €12.77m | 12.80 | 6.46 |
25 | VfL Bochum | Bundesliga | €57.60m | €3.09m | €54.52m | 1764.4% | €4.89m | €17.40m | €12.52m | 13.33 | 6.46 |
27 | Clermont Foot 63 | Ligue 1 | €51.75m | €8.10m | €43.65m | 538.9% | €9.40m | €40.10m | €30.70m | 14.00 | 6.40 |
28 | 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 | Bundesliga | €49.25m | €9.40m | €39.85m | 423.9% | €14.60m | €20.15m | €5.55m | 12.00 | 6.37 |
29 | 1.FSV Mainz 05 | Bundesliga | €104.48m | €32.50m | €71.98m | 221.5% | €73.40m | €106.55m | €33.15m | 11.80 | 6.28 |
30 | Abha Club | Saudi Pro League | €21.79m | €2.98m | €18.81m | 631.2% | €7.42m | €2.01m | -€5.40m | 11.80 | 6.22 |
30 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Premier League | €469.30m | €192.47m | €276.83m | 143.8% | €342.89m | €441.70m | €98.81m | 12.40 | 6.22 |
32 | Damac FC | Saudi Pro League | €19.86m | €7.10m | €12.76m | 179.7% | €10.48m | €2.74m | -€7.73m | 8.00 | 6.14 |
33 | Al-Raed SFC | Saudi Pro League | €13.95m | €3.97m | €9.98m | 251.4% | €5.42m | €2.75m | -€2.67m | 10.00 | 6.13 |
34 | Al-Taawoun FC | Saudi Pro League | €35.08m | €18.08m | €17.00m | 94.0% | €21.47m | €23.27m | €1.81m | 7.40 | 6.07 |
35 | Al-Tai FC | Saudi Pro League | €16.13m | €4.65m | €11.48m | 246.9% | €7.15m | - | -€7.15m | 9.33 | 6.02 |
36 | 1.FC Union Berlin | Bundesliga | €167.15m | €45.92m | €121.23m | 264.0% | €88.50m | €60.49m | -€28.01m | 8.40 | 5.99 |
37 | Bayer 04 Leverkusen | Bundesliga | €562.55m | €232.15m | €330.40m | 142.3% | €295.65m | €245.54m | -€50.11m | 4.20 | 5.93 |
38 | SS Lazio | Serie A | €280.28m | €101.80m | €178.48m | 175.3% | €186.46m | €143.25m | -€43.21m | 5.60 | 5.90 |
39 | Al-Wehda FC | Saudi Pro League | €14.35m | €4.20m | €10.15m | 241.7% | €3.62m | - | -€3.62m | 10.25 | 5.87 |
40 | FC Barcelona | La Liga | €862.00m | €331.40m | €530.60m | 160.1% | €685.84m | €524.46m | -€161.38m | 2.20 | 5.84 |
41 | Stade Brestois 29 | Ligue 1 | €77.65m | €21.75m | €55.90m | 257.0% | €41.70m | €51.40m | €9.70m | 12.60 | 5.78 |
42 | Hellas Verona | Serie A | €89.28m | €41.44m | €47.83m | 115.4% | €128.61m | €171.67m | €43.06m | 12.80 | 5.72 |
42 | Al-Riyadh SC | Saudi Pro League | €17.25m | €1.00m | €16.25m | 1625.0% | €1.00m | - | -€1.00m | 15.00 | 5.72 |
44 | CA Osasuna | La Liga | €116.60m | €29.30m | €87.30m | 298.0% | €40.80m | €4.00m | -€36.80m | 10.00 | 5.69 |
45 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | €931.95m | €425.00m | €506.95m | 119.3% | €559.75m | €355.90m | -€203.85m | 1.20 | 5.66 |
46 | SV Werder Bremen | Bundesliga | €88.20m | €29.73m | €58.47m | 196.7% | €39.40m | €77.01m | €37.61m | 15.00 | 5.52 |
47 | ACF Fiorentina | Serie A | €255.15m | €175.87m | €79.28m | 45.1% | €265.15m | €299.83m | €34.69m | 8.80 | 5.51 |
48 | FC Metz | Ligue 1 | €37.55m | €15.50m | €22.05m | 142.3% | €39.45m | €81.30m | €41.85m | 13.75 | 5.49 |
48 | Al-Okhdood Club | Saudi Pro League | €15.98m | €3.59m | €12.38m | 344.8% | €3.59m | - | -€3.59m | 14.00 | 5.49 |
50 | FC Toulouse | Ligue 1 | €79.35m | €22.14m | €57.21m | 258.4% | €49.24m | €78.50m | €29.26m | 16.00 | 5.46 |
51 | TSG 1899 Hoffenheim | Bundesliga | €142.10m | €127.10m | €15.00m | 11.8% | €122.95m | €236.55m | €113.60m | 9.00 | 5.43 |
52 | Al-Khaleej FC | Saudi Pro League | €13.58m | €4.07m | €9.50m | 233.4% | €5.07m | - | -€5.07m | 12.00 | 5.34 |
53 | Real Madrid | La Liga | €1.03bn | €573.00m | €458.00m | 79.9% | €596.00m | €422.15m | -€173.85m | 1.40 | 5.31 |
53 | Stade Reims | Ligue 1 | €110.95m | €74.10m | €36.85m | 49.7% | €118.30m | €147.15m | €28.85m | 9.60 | 5.31 |
55 | AS Roma | Serie A | €362.15m | €222.60m | €139.55m | 62.7% | €338.45m | €321.20m | -€17.25m | 6.40 | 5.22 |
55 | FC Nantes | Ligue 1 | €113.40m | €49.70m | €63.70m | 128.2% | €65.65m | €77.80m | €12.15m | 13.00 | 5.22 |
55 | Deportivo Alavés | La Liga | €52.20m | €13.65m | €38.55m | 282.4% | €22.17m | €34.01m | €11.84m | 16.25 | 5.22 |
58 | Al-Hazem SC | Saudi Pro League | €14.73m | €1.75m | €12.98m | 741.7% | €5.67m | €1.20m | -€4.47m | 16.33 | 5.19 |
59 | US Lecce | Serie A | €81.53m | €21.61m | €59.92m | 277.3% | €39.40m | €39.64m | €0.24m | 15.33 | 5.13 |
60 | Al-Fayha FC | Saudi Pro League | €26.58m | €10.58m | €15.99m | 151.1% | €12.45m | €1.60m | -€10.85m | 11.50 | 5.04 |
60 | Udinese Calcio | Serie A | €155.88m | €99.75m | €56.13m | 56.3% | €141.50m | €267.06m | €125.56m | 13.60 | 5.04 |
62 | FC Lorient | Ligue 1 | €110.90m | €63.20m | €47.70m | 75.5% | €93.40m | €128.82m | €35.42m | 14.50 | 4.81 |
63 | AC Milan | Serie A | €543.25m | €328.03m | €215.22m | 65.6% | €442.18m | €196.69m | -€245.48m | 3.20 | 4.78 |
64 | SV Darmstadt 98 | Bundesliga | €41.00m | €10.15m | €30.85m | 303.9% | €9.58m | €5.20m | -€4.38m | 18.00 | 4.75 |
65 | Rayo Vallecano | La Liga | €83.40m | €42.95m | €40.45m | 94.2% | €43.90m | €32.21m | -€11.69m | 11.33 | 4.69 |
66 | Olympique Marseille | Ligue 1 | €248.80m | €160.72m | €88.08m | 54.8% | €290.94m | €146.18m | -€144.77m | 4.00 | 4.66 |
67 | US Sassuolo | Serie A | €163.90m | €165.05m | -€1.15m | -0.7% | €250.88m | €309.66m | €58.79m | 11.00 | 4.63 |
67 | Cádiz CF | La Liga | €59.50m | €16.25m | €43.25m | 266.2% | €34.40m | €17.00m | -€17.40m | 14.75 | 4.63 |
69 | SSC Napoli | Serie A | €587.75m | €372.65m | €215.10m | 57.7% | €489.32m | €333.99m | -€155.33m | 4.20 | 4.60 |
69 | Granada CF | La Liga | €68.10m | €20.05m | €48.05m | 239.7% | €65.24m | €40.55m | -€24.69m | 13.25 | 4.60 |
71 | Celta de Vigo | La Liga | €117.80m | €74.35m | €43.45m | 58.4% | €86.67m | €108.35m | €21.68m | 13.40 | 4.51 |
72 | Al-Shabab FC | Saudi Pro League | €53.28m | €40.65m | €12.63m | 31.1% | €60.56m | €23.48m | -€37.08m | 5.80 | 4.48 |
73 | RC Strasbourg Alsace | Ligue 1 | €129.85m | €78.50m | €51.35m | 65.4% | €90.50m | €81.90m | -€8.60m | 11.80 | 4.42 |
74 | OGC Nice | Ligue 1 | €245.10m | €155.50m | €89.60m | 57.6% | €262.93m | €134.47m | -€128.45m | 6.00 | 4.36 |
75 | Brentford | Premier League | €379.10m | €179.80m | €199.30m | 110.8% | €194.25m | €110.95m | -€83.30m | 10.50 | 4.28 |
76 | Getafe CF | La Liga | €108.70m | €56.40m | €52.30m | 92.7% | €85.46m | €68.50m | -€16.96m | 12.20 | 4.27 |
77 | Borussia Mönchengladbach | Bundesliga | €203.85m | €135.28m | €68.57m | 50.7% | €124.28m | €93.08m | -€31.20m | 8.60 | 4.25 |
78 | Liverpool | Premier League | €877.30m | €663.75m | €213.55m | 32.2% | €490.75m | €236.15m | -€254.60m | 2.80 | 4.22 |
79 | Al-Ettifaq FC | Saudi Pro League | €50.15m | €39.30m | €10.85m | 27.6% | €49.75m | €16.95m | -€32.79m | 7.80 | 4.19 |
80 | Paris Saint-Germain | Ligue 1 | €1.07bn | €895.40m | €171.40m | 19.1% | €745.00m | €388.60m | -€356.40m | 1.20 | 4.10 |
81 | Manchester City | Premier League | €1.26bn | €992.02m | €272.68m | 27.5% | €878.22m | €505.47m | -€372.75m | 1.80 | 4.07 |
81 | AS Monaco | Ligue 1 | €344.80m | €326.70m | €18.10m | 5.5% | €426.70m | €347.12m | -€79.58m | 4.80 | 4.07 |
81 | Luton Town | Premier League | €87.20m | €24.75m | €62.45m | 252.3% | €26.68m | €12.50m | -€14.18m | 18.00 | 4.07 |
84 | Arsenal | Premier League | €1.10bn | €685.14m | €410.36m | 59.9% | €841.04m | €195.90m | -€645.14m | 5.40 | 4.01 |
84 | FC Augsburg | Bundesliga | €119.15m | €63.20m | €55.95m | 88.5% | €88.46m | €77.45m | -€11.01m | 13.40 | 4.01 |
86 | Bologna FC 1909 | Serie A | €166.45m | €105.21m | €61.24m | 58.2% | €187.29m | €134.93m | -€52.36m | 10.00 | 3.92 |
87 | VfL Wolfsburg | Bundesliga | €245.40m | €179.43m | €65.97m | 36.8% | €248.93m | €144.10m | -€104.83m | 8.00 | 3.87 |
88 | Torino FC | Serie A | €186.10m | €107.10m | €79.00m | 73.8% | €166.33m | €133.10m | -€33.23m | 12.40 | 3.80 |
89 | RCD Mallorca | La Liga | €92.80m | €45.41m | €47.39m | 104.4% | €58.87m | €36.30m | -€22.57m | 14.75 | 3.72 |
89 | Genoa CFC | Serie A | €107.75m | €57.10m | €50.65m | 88.7% | €194.12m | €183.36m | -€10.76m | 15.25 | 3.72 |
91 | Juventus FC | Serie A | €421.60m | €431.30m | -€9.70m | -2.2% | €717.19m | €546.84m | -€170.35m | 3.60 | 3.60 |
92 | Al-Nassr FC | Saudi Pro League | €164.75m | €189.47m | -€24.72m | -13.0% | €225.15m | €11.83m | -€213.33m | 3.00 | 3.51 |
93 | Al-Hilal SFC | Saudi Pro League | €222.33m | €369.99m | -€147.66m | -39.9% | €418.12m | €3.74m | -€414.39m | 1.40 | 3.42 |
93 | Al-Ittihad Club | Saudi Pro League | €105.75m | €152.82m | -€47.07m | -30.8% | €158.01m | €4.59m | -€153.42m | 4.40 | 3.42 |
95 | Sevilla FC | La Liga | €187.00m | €178.93m | €8.07m | 4.5% | €366.98m | €297.63m | -€69.35m | 8.20 | 3.39 |
96 | Manchester United | Premier League | €873.30m | €996.72m | -€123.42m | -12.4% | €908.18m | €210.77m | -€697.41m | 3.40 | 3.10 |
97 | Aston Villa | Premier League | €630.70m | €417.49m | €213.21m | 51.1% | €583.79m | €219.32m | -€364.47m | 9.80 | 2.98 |
97 | AC Monza | Serie A | €101.00m | €79.98m | €21.02m | 26.3% | €118.98m | €0.61m | -€118.38m | 10.50 | 2.98 |
99 | Tottenham Hotspur | Premier League | €747.60m | €655.05m | €92.55m | 14.1% | €781.90m | €268.37m | -€513.53m | 6.60 | 2.95 |
100 | Al-Ahli SFC | Saudi Pro League | €163.65m | €188.22m | -€24.57m | -13.1% | €213.96m | €22.34m | -€191.62m | 7.25 | 2.83 |
100 | Everton | Premier League | €350.70m | €281.12m | €69.58m | 24.8% | €353.57m | €324.63m | -€28.95m | 13.00 | 2.83 |
100 | Crystal Palace | Premier League | €369.45m | €228.99m | €140.47m | 61.3% | €200.92m | €80.83m | -€120.09m | 13.60 | 2.83 |
103 | Fulham | Premier League | €304.00m | €185.42m | €118.58m | 64.0% | €236.92m | €109.20m | -€127.72m | 14.25 | 2.71 |
104 | Chelsea | Premier League | €999.40m | €1.02bn | -€17.50m | -1.7% | €1.49bn | €700.61m | -€788.88m | 6.80 | 2.60 |
105 | US Salernitana 1919 | Serie A | €99.90m | €61.30m | €38.60m | 63.0% | €88.47m | €38.97m | -€49.50m | 17.33 | 2.51 |
106 | Newcastle United | Premier League | €650.50m | €566.25m | €84.25m | 14.9% | €580.95m | €94.57m | -€486.38m | 9.40 | 2.42 |
106 | Cagliari Calcio | Serie A | €70.43m | €78.60m | -€8.18m | -10.4% | €119.58m | €119.09m | -€0.49m | 16.00 | 2.42 |
108 | West Ham United | Premier League | €470.85m | €456.90m | €13.95m | 3.1% | €573.06m | €283.58m | -€289.49m | 10.00 | 2.24 |
109 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Premier League | €320.48m | €308.90m | €11.58m | 3.7% | €513.00m | €367.17m | -€145.83m | 11.80 | 2.21 |
110 | Burnley | Premier League | €256.75m | €201.70m | €55.05m | 27.3% | €228.60m | €136.61m | -€91.99m | 15.75 | 1.83 |
111 | Bournemouth | Premier League | €343.50m | €286.54m | €56.96m | 19.9% | €279.04m | €156.58m | -€122.47m | 15.67 | 1.65 |
112 | Nottingham Forest | Premier League | €395.58m | €256.57m | €139.01m | 54.2% | €347.43m | €104.20m | -€243.24m | 16.50 | 1.56 |
113 | UD Almería | La Liga | €95.10m | €86.88m | €8.22m | 9.5% | €156.45m | €112.30m | -€44.15m | 18.50 | 1.47 |
114 | Sheffield United | Premier League | €154.95m | €135.39m | €19.56m | 14.4% | €204.45m | €59.25m | -€145.20m | 17.25 | 1.24 |
SC Freiburg - 8.05/10 spending score
SC Freiburg takes the top spot with a spending score of 8.05 out of 10. Since their promotion in 2016, Freiburg have established themselves as a Bundesliga regular, finishing outside the top 10 just twice in their eight-year stay in the top flight. Freiburg’s top three most valuable players were signed for just €11 million and are now worth €56 million, showing just how thrifty the German club can be.
Real Sociedad - 7.91/10 spending score
In second place is Real Sociedad, with a spending score of 7.91 out of 10. Since 1967, Real Sociedad have spent just three seasons outside of Spain’s top flight. In their current squad, the four most valuable players are worth a combined €180 million and were bought for just €18.5 million.
Olympique Lyon - 7.90/10 spending score
Completing our top three is Olympique Lyon, with a spending score of just 7.90 out of 10. Between 2002 and 2008, Lyon dominated the top tier of French football, setting a national record by winning seven successive Ligue 1 titles. Over the years, Lyon has earned a reputation for developing young players, and their current squad reflects this. Lyon’s two most valuable players, Ryan Cherki and Maxencee Caqueret, are both graduates of the club’s academy and are now worth a combined €43 million.
Compared to Europe’s top five leagues and Saudi Arabia, Sheffield United comes out on top as the worst spenders
Using the same data, we’ve revealed the worst spenders in Europe’s top five leagues and Saudi Arabia.
Rank | Team | League | Market Value | Purchase Value | Difference | Percentage Difference Between Market Value and Purchase Value | Expenditure Between 19/20 - 23/24 Seasons | Income Between 19/20 - 23/24 Seasons | Net Transfer Balance Between 19/20 - 23/24 Seasons | Average League Position | Transfer Spending Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Premier League | €469.30m | €192.47m | €276.83m | 143.83% | €342.89m | €441.70m | €98.81m | 12.40 | 6.22 |
19 | Brentford | Premier League | €379.10m | €179.80m | €199.30m | 110.85% | €194.25m | €110.95m | -€83.30m | 10.50 | 4.28 |
18 | Liverpool | Premier League | €877.30m | €663.75m | €213.55m | 32.17% | €490.75m | €236.15m | -€254.60m | 2.80 | 4.22 |
16 | Luton Town | Premier League | €87.20m | €24.75m | €62.45m | 252.32% | €26.68m | €12.50m | -€14.18m | 18.00 | 4.07 |
16 | Manchester City | Premier League | €1.26bn | €992.02m | €272.68m | 27.49% | €878.22m | €505.47m | -€372.75m | 1.80 | 4.07 |
15 | Arsenal | Premier League | €1.10bn | €685.14m | €410.36m | 59.89% | €841.04m | €195.90m | -€645.14m | 5.40 | 4.01 |
14 | Manchester United | Premier League | €873.30m | €996.72m | -€123.42m | -12.38% | €908.18m | €210.77m | -€697.41m | 3.40 | 3.10 |
13 | Aston Villa | Premier League | €630.70m | €417.49m | €213.21m | 51.07% | €583.79m | €219.32m | -€364.47m | 9.80 | 2.98 |
12 | Tottenham Hotspur | Premier League | €747.60m | €655.05m | €92.55m | 14.13% | €781.90m | €268.37m | -€513.53m | 6.60 | 2.95 |
10 | Everton | Premier League | €350.70m | €281.12m | €69.58m | 24.75% | €353.57m | €324.63m | -€28.95m | 13.00 | 2.83 |
10 | Crystal Palace | Premier League | €369.45m | €228.99m | €140.47m | 61.34% | €200.92m | €80.83m | -€120.09m | 13.60 | 2.83 |
9 | Fulham | Premier League | €304.00m | €185.42m | €118.58m | 63.95% | €236.92m | €109.20m | -€127.72m | 14.25 | 2.71 |
8 | Chelsea | Premier League | €999.40m | €1.02bn | -€17.50m | -1.72% | €1.49bn | €700.61m | -€788.88m | 6.80 | 2.60 |
7 | Newcastle United | Premier League | €650.50m | €566.25m | €84.25m | 14.88% | €580.95m | €94.57m | -€486.38m | 9.40 | 2.42 |
6 | West Ham United | Premier League | €470.85m | €456.90m | €13.95m | 3.05% | €573.06m | €283.58m | -€289.49m | 10.00 | 2.24 |
5 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Premier League | €320.48m | €308.90m | €11.58m | 3.75% | €513.00m | €367.17m | -€145.83m | 11.80 | 2.21 |
4 | Burnley | Premier League | €256.75m | €201.70m | €55.05m | 27.29% | €228.60m | €136.61m | -€91.99m | 15.75 | 1.83 |
3 | Bournemouth | Premier League | €343.50m | €286.54m | €56.96m | 19.88% | €279.04m | €156.58m | -€122.47m | 15.67 | 1.65 |
2 | Nottingham Forest | Premier League | €395.58m | €256.57m | €139.01m | 54.18% | €347.43m | €104.20m | -€243.24m | 16.50 | 1.56 |
1 | Sheffield United | Premier League | €154.95m | €135.39m | €19.56m | 14.45% | €204.45m | €59.25m | -€145.20m | 17.25 | 1.24 |
Sheffield United - 1.24/10 spending score
Sheffield United are crowned as the worst spenders in Football, with a score of 1.24 out of 10. Despite their purchase value being lower than their market value, Sheffield United’s net spend is almost -€150 million. Sheffield United’s most valuable player is Cameron Archer, who has a market value of €18 million and was bought for more than €21 million.
UD Almeria - 1.47/10 spending score
UD Almeria takes second place, with a spending score of 1.47 out of 10. Since 2002, UD Almeria have been yo-yoing between Spanish football's first and second tiers. In the 2022/23 season, Almeria narrowly escaped relegation, finishing in 17th place. Colombian striker Luis Suarez is the club’s joint most valuable player, who they signed from Marseille for €8 million, matching his estimated value.
Nottingham Forest - 1.56/10 spending score
Our top three is completed by Nottingham Forest, with a spending score of 1.56/10. Since getting promoted to the Premier League in 2022, Forest have signed more than 40 players and spent over €300 million. Of their signings, Ibrahim Sangare was the most expensive at €35 million and is valued just below his cost at €32 million.
Le Havre increased the value of its squad more than any other team, with its team worth 1,852% more than it was bought for
A player’s market value can change due to a number of factors, and one of the biggest reasons that a player’s estimated value changes is due to performance. That’s why we’ve looked at the difference between a team's purchase value and market value to see which teams have increased their squad’s value the most.
Rank | Team | League | Market Value | Purchase Value | Difference | Percentage Difference Between Market Value and Purchase Value |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Le Havre AC | Ligue 1 | €56.60m | €2.90m | €53.70m | 1851.7% |
2 | VfL Bochum | Bundesliga | €57.60m | €3.09m | €54.52m | 1764.4% |
3 | Al-Riyadh SC | Saudi Pro League | €17.25m | €1.00m | €16.25m | 1625.0% |
4 | Frosinone Calcio | Serie A | €62.55m | €6.04m | €56.52m | 935.8% |
5 | UD Las Palmas | La Liga | €53.90m | €5.85m | €48.05m | 821.4% |
6 | Al-Hazem SC | Saudi Pro League | €14.73m | €1.75m | €12.98m | 741.7% |
7 | Abha Club | Saudi Pro League | €21.79m | €2.98m | €18.81m | 631.2% |
8 | Clermont Foot 63 | Ligue 1 | €51.75m | €8.10m | €43.65m | 538.9% |
9 | 1.FC Köln | Bundesliga | €95.60m | €15.80m | €79.80m | 505.1% |
10 | 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 | Bundesliga | €49.25m | €9.40m | €39.85m | 423.9% |
11 | FC Empoli | Serie A | €89.60m | €18.40m | €71.20m | 387.0% |
12 | Real Sociedad | La Liga | €431.10m | €90.90m | €340.20m | 374.3% |
13 | Athletic Bilbao | La Liga | €218.80m | €46.35m | €172.45m | 372.1% |
14 | VfB Stuttgart | Bundesliga | €222.80m | €48.25m | €174.55m | 361.8% |
15 | Al-Okhdood Club | Saudi Pro League | €15.98m | €3.59m | €12.38m | 344.8% |
16 | Al-Fateh SC | Saudi Pro League | €20.28m | €4.74m | €15.53m | 327.6% |
17 | Girona FC | La Liga | €161.10m | €38.25m | €122.85m | 321.2% |
18 | SV Darmstadt 98 | Bundesliga | €41.00m | €10.15m | €30.85m | 303.9% |
19 | CA Osasuna | La Liga | €116.60m | €29.30m | €87.30m | 298.0% |
20 | Deportivo Alavés | La Liga | €52.20m | €13.65m | €38.55m | 282.4% |
21 | SC Freiburg | Bundesliga | €177.05m | €46.40m | €130.65m | 281.6% |
22 | US Lecce | Serie A | €81.53m | €21.61m | €59.92m | 277.3% |
23 | Cádiz CF | La Liga | €59.50m | €16.25m | €43.25m | 266.2% |
24 | Olympique Lyon | Ligue 1 | €192.40m | €52.79m | €139.61m | 264.5% |
25 | 1.FC Union Berlin | Bundesliga | €167.15m | €45.92m | €121.23m | 264.0% |
26 | FC Toulouse | Ligue 1 | €79.35m | €22.14m | €57.21m | 258.4% |
27 | Stade Brestois 29 | Ligue 1 | €77.65m | €21.75m | €55.90m | 257.0% |
28 | Montpellier HSC | Ligue 1 | €95.45m | €26.95m | €68.50m | 254.2% |
29 | Luton Town | Premier League | €87.20m | €24.75m | €62.45m | 252.3% |
30 | Al-Raed SFC | Saudi Pro League | €13.95m | €3.97m | €9.98m | 251.4% |
31 | Al-Tai FC | Saudi Pro League | €16.13m | €4.65m | €11.48m | 246.9% |
32 | Al-Wehda FC | Saudi Pro League | €14.35m | €4.20m | €10.15m | 241.7% |
33 | Granada CF | La Liga | €68.10m | €20.05m | €48.05m | 239.7% |
34 | Al-Khaleej FC | Saudi Pro League | €13.58m | €4.07m | €9.50m | 233.4% |
35 | 1.FSV Mainz 05 | Bundesliga | €104.48m | €32.50m | €71.98m | 221.5% |
36 | SV Werder Bremen | Bundesliga | €88.20m | €29.73m | €58.47m | 196.7% |
37 | Villarreal CF | La Liga | €188.20m | €66.33m | €121.87m | 183.7% |
38 | Damac FC | Saudi Pro League | €19.86m | €7.10m | €12.76m | 179.7% |
39 | Valencia CF | La Liga | €178.90m | €64.45m | €114.45m | 177.6% |
40 | SS Lazio | Serie A | €280.28m | €101.80m | €178.48m | 175.3% |
41 | FC Barcelona | La Liga | €862.00m | €331.40m | €530.60m | 160.1% |
42 | Inter Milan | Serie A | €563.35m | €223.10m | €340.25m | 152.5% |
43 | Al-Fayha FC | Saudi Pro League | €26.58m | €10.58m | €15.99m | 151.1% |
44 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Premier League | €469.30m | €192.47m | €276.83m | 143.8% |
45 | Bayer 04 Leverkusen | Bundesliga | €562.55m | €232.15m | €330.40m | 142.3% |
46 | FC Metz | Ligue 1 | €37.55m | €15.50m | €22.05m | 142.3% |
47 | FC Nantes | Ligue 1 | €113.40m | €49.70m | €63.70m | 128.2% |
48 | RC Lens | Ligue 1 | €212.55m | €95.80m | €116.75m | 121.9% |
49 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | €931.95m | €425.00m | €506.95m | 119.3% |
50 | Hellas Verona | Serie A | €89.28m | €41.44m | €47.83m | 115.4% |
51 | Eintracht Frankfurt | Bundesliga | €211.65m | €100.00m | €111.65m | 111.7% |
52 | Brentford | Premier League | €379.10m | €179.80m | €199.30m | 110.8% |
53 | RCD Mallorca | La Liga | €92.80m | €45.41m | €47.39m | 104.4% |
54 | LOSC Lille | Ligue 1 | €226.60m | €112.70m | €113.90m | 101.1% |
55 | Rayo Vallecano | La Liga | €83.40m | €42.95m | €40.45m | 94.2% |
56 | Al-Taawoun FC | Saudi Pro League | €35.08m | €18.08m | €17.00m | 94.0% |
57 | Getafe CF | La Liga | €108.70m | €56.40m | €52.30m | 92.7% |
58 | Genoa CFC | Serie A | €107.75m | €57.10m | €50.65m | 88.7% |
59 | FC Augsburg | Bundesliga | €119.15m | €63.20m | €55.95m | 88.5% |
60 | Real Betis Balompié | La Liga | €202.80m | €110.50m | €92.30m | 83.5% |
61 | Real Madrid | La Liga | €1.03bn | €573.00m | €458.00m | 79.9% |
62 | FC Lorient | Ligue 1 | €110.90m | €63.20m | €47.70m | 75.5% |
63 | Torino FC | Serie A | €186.10m | €107.10m | €79.00m | 73.8% |
64 | AC Milan | Serie A | €543.25m | €328.03m | €215.22m | 65.6% |
65 | RC Strasbourg Alsace | Ligue 1 | €129.85m | €78.50m | €51.35m | 65.4% |
66 | Stade Rennais FC | Ligue 1 | €280.50m | €169.90m | €110.60m | 65.1% |
67 | Fulham | Premier League | €304.00m | €185.42m | €118.58m | 64.0% |
68 | US Salernitana 1919 | Serie A | €99.90m | €61.30m | €38.60m | 63.0% |
69 | AS Roma | Serie A | €362.15m | €222.60m | €139.55m | 62.7% |
70 | Crystal Palace | Premier League | €369.45m | €228.99m | €140.47m | 61.3% |
71 | Arsenal | Premier League | €1.10bn | €685.14m | €410.36m | 59.9% |
72 | Celta de Vigo | La Liga | €117.80m | €74.35m | €43.45m | 58.4% |
73 | Bologna FC 1909 | Serie A | €166.45m | €105.21m | €61.24m | 58.2% |
74 | SSC Napoli | Serie A | €587.75m | €372.65m | €215.10m | 57.7% |
75 | OGC Nice | Ligue 1 | €245.10m | €155.50m | €89.60m | 57.6% |
76 | Udinese Calcio | Serie A | €155.88m | €99.75m | €56.13m | 56.3% |
77 | Olympique Marseille | Ligue 1 | €248.80m | €160.72m | €88.08m | 54.8% |
78 | Nottingham Forest | Premier League | €395.58m | €256.57m | €139.01m | 54.2% |
79 | Aston Villa | Premier League | €630.70m | €417.49m | €213.21m | 51.1% |
80 | Borussia Mönchengladbach | Bundesliga | €203.85m | €135.28m | €68.57m | 50.7% |
81 | Stade Reims | Ligue 1 | €110.95m | €74.10m | €36.85m | 49.7% |
82 | RB Leipzig | Bundesliga | €499.60m | €335.75m | €163.85m | 48.8% |
83 | Atalanta BC | Serie A | €324.60m | €218.61m | €105.99m | 48.5% |
84 | ACF Fiorentina | Serie A | €255.15m | €175.87m | €79.28m | 45.1% |
85 | Borussia Dortmund | Bundesliga | €442.80m | €312.60m | €130.20m | 41.7% |
86 | VfL Wolfsburg | Bundesliga | €245.40m | €179.43m | €65.97m | 36.8% |
87 | Liverpool | Premier League | €877.30m | €663.75m | €213.55m | 32.2% |
88 | Al-Shabab FC | Saudi Pro League | €53.28m | €40.65m | €12.63m | 31.1% |
89 | Atlético de Madrid | La Liga | €472.00m | €361.10m | €110.91m | 30.7% |
90 | Al-Ettifaq FC | Saudi Pro League | €50.15m | €39.30m | €10.85m | 27.6% |
91 | Manchester City | Premier League | €1.26bn | €992.02m | €272.68m | 27.5% |
92 | Burnley | Premier League | €256.75m | €201.70m | €55.05m | 27.3% |
93 | AC Monza | Serie A | €101.00m | €79.98m | €21.02m | 26.3% |
94 | Everton | Premier League | €350.70m | €281.12m | €69.58m | 24.8% |
95 | Bournemouth | Premier League | €343.50m | €286.54m | €56.96m | 19.9% |
96 | Paris Saint-Germain | Ligue 1 | €1.07bn | €895.40m | €171.40m | 19.1% |
97 | Newcastle United | Premier League | €650.50m | €566.25m | €84.25m | 14.9% |
98 | Sheffield United | Premier League | €154.95m | €135.39m | €19.56m | 14.4% |
99 | Tottenham Hotspur | Premier League | €747.60m | €655.05m | €92.55m | 14.1% |
100 | TSG 1899 Hoffenheim | Bundesliga | €142.10m | €127.10m | €15.00m | 11.8% |
101 | UD Almería | La Liga | €95.10m | €86.88m | €8.22m | 9.5% |
102 | AS Monaco | Ligue 1 | €344.80m | €326.70m | €18.10m | 5.5% |
103 | Sevilla FC | La Liga | €187.00m | €178.93m | €8.07m | 4.5% |
104 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Premier League | €320.48m | €308.90m | €11.58m | 3.7% |
105 | West Ham United | Premier League | €470.85m | €456.90m | €13.95m | 3.1% |
106 | US Sassuolo | Serie A | €163.90m | €165.05m | -€1.15m | -0.7% |
107 | Chelsea | Premier League | €999.40m | €1.02bn | -€17.50m | -1.7% |
108 | Juventus FC | Serie A | €421.60m | €431.30m | -€9.70m | -2.2% |
109 | Cagliari Calcio | Serie A | €70.43m | €78.60m | -€8.18m | -10.4% |
110 | Manchester United | Premier League | €873.30m | €996.72m | -€123.42m | -12.4% |
111 | Al-Nassr FC | Saudi Pro League | €164.75m | €189.47m | -€24.72m | -13.0% |
112 | Al-Ahli SFC | Saudi Pro League | €163.65m | €188.22m | -€24.57m | -13.1% |
113 | Al-Ittihad Club | Saudi Pro League | €105.75m | €152.82m | -€47.07m | -30.8% |
114 | Al-Hilal SFC | Saudi Pro League | €222.33m | €369.99m | -€147.66m | -39.9% |
Le Havre - 1,851.7% difference between market and purchase values
Taking the top spot is Le Havre, with a difference between purchase value and market value of 1,852%. Le Havre have a reputation for developing young talent, with Dimitri Payet, Riyad Mahrez, and N’golo Kante all playing for the club during the early stages of their careers. The French team paid just under €3 million for a squad valued at €56 million.
VFL Bochum - 1,764.4% difference between market and purchase values
In second place is VFL Bochum, with a difference between purchase value and market value of 1,764%. VFL Bochum are one of the oldest football clubs in the world, founded in 1848. Bochum gained promotion to the Bundesliga in 2021 after an 11-year stint in Germany’s second tier. Bochum’s squad was purchased for just over €3 million and is now valued at almost €60 million.
Al-Riyadh SC - 1,625% difference between market and purchase values
Al-Riyadh SC completes our top three with a difference between purchase value and market value of 1,625%. In the 2023 summer transfer window, Al-Riyadh signed 12 players, 11 of which were free transfers. The only player Al-Riyadh paid a transfer fee for was Juanmi, who was signed on a season-long loan for €1 million.
Al-Hilal’s squad value is 40% lower than its purchase value, the biggest decrease in Saudi Arabia and Europe’s top five leagues
We wanted to know which clubs overpaid for their squad. That’s why we’ve looked at market and purchase values to reveal the teams with the biggest decrease.
Rank | Team | League | Market Value | Purchase Value | Difference | Percentage Difference Between Market Value and Purchase Value |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Al-Hilal SFC | Saudi Pro League | €222.33m | €369.99m | -€147.66m | -39.9% |
2 | Al-Ittihad Club | Saudi Pro League | €105.75m | €152.82m | -€47.07m | -30.8% |
3 | Al-Ahli SFC | Saudi Pro League | €163.65m | €188.22m | -€24.57m | -13.1% |
4 | Al-Nassr FC | Saudi Pro League | €164.75m | €189.47m | -€24.72m | -13.0% |
5 | Manchester United | Premier League | €873.30m | €996.72m | -€123.42m | -12.4% |
6 | Cagliari Calcio | Serie A | €70.43m | €78.60m | -€8.18m | -10.4% |
7 | Juventus FC | Serie A | €421.60m | €431.30m | -€9.70m | -2.2% |
8 | Chelsea | Premier League | €999.40m | €1.02bn | -€17.50m | -1.7% |
9 | US Sassuolo | Serie A | €163.90m | €165.05m | -€1.15m | -0.7% |
10 | West Ham United | Premier League | €470.85m | €456.90m | €13.95m | 3.1% |
11 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Premier League | €320.48m | €308.90m | €11.58m | 3.7% |
12 | Sevilla FC | La Liga | €187.00m | €178.93m | €8.07m | 4.5% |
13 | AS Monaco | Ligue 1 | €344.80m | €326.70m | €18.10m | 5.5% |
14 | UD Almería | La Liga | €95.10m | €86.88m | €8.22m | 9.5% |
15 | TSG 1899 Hoffenheim | Bundesliga | €142.10m | €127.10m | €15.00m | 11.8% |
16 | Tottenham Hotspur | Premier League | €747.60m | €655.05m | €92.55m | 14.1% |
17 | Sheffield United | Premier League | €154.95m | €135.39m | €19.56m | 14.4% |
18 | Newcastle United | Premier League | €650.50m | €566.25m | €84.25m | 14.9% |
19 | Paris Saint-Germain | Ligue 1 | €1.07bn | €895.40m | €171.40m | 19.1% |
20 | Bournemouth | Premier League | €343.50m | €286.54m | €56.96m | 19.9% |
21 | Everton | Premier League | €350.70m | €281.12m | €69.58m | 24.8% |
22 | AC Monza | Serie A | €101.00m | €79.98m | €21.02m | 26.3% |
23 | Burnley | Premier League | €256.75m | €201.70m | €55.05m | 27.3% |
24 | Manchester City | Premier League | €1.26bn | €992.02m | €272.68m | 27.5% |
25 | Al-Ettifaq FC | Saudi Pro League | €50.15m | €39.30m | €10.85m | 27.6% |
26 | Atlético de Madrid | La Liga | €472.00m | €361.10m | €110.91m | 30.7% |
27 | Al-Shabab FC | Saudi Pro League | €53.28m | €40.65m | €12.63m | 31.1% |
28 | Liverpool | Premier League | €877.30m | €663.75m | €213.55m | 32.2% |
29 | VfL Wolfsburg | Bundesliga | €245.40m | €179.43m | €65.97m | 36.8% |
30 | Borussia Dortmund | Bundesliga | €442.80m | €312.60m | €130.20m | 41.7% |
31 | ACF Fiorentina | Serie A | €255.15m | €175.87m | €79.28m | 45.1% |
32 | Atalanta BC | Serie A | €324.60m | €218.61m | €105.99m | 48.5% |
33 | RB Leipzig | Bundesliga | €499.60m | €335.75m | €163.85m | 48.8% |
34 | Stade Reims | Ligue 1 | €110.95m | €74.10m | €36.85m | 49.7% |
35 | Borussia Mönchengladbach | Bundesliga | €203.85m | €135.28m | €68.57m | 50.7% |
36 | Aston Villa | Premier League | €630.70m | €417.49m | €213.21m | 51.1% |
37 | Nottingham Forest | Premier League | €395.58m | €256.57m | €139.01m | 54.2% |
38 | Olympique Marseille | Ligue 1 | €248.80m | €160.72m | €88.08m | 54.8% |
39 | Udinese Calcio | Serie A | €155.88m | €99.75m | €56.13m | 56.3% |
40 | OGC Nice | Ligue 1 | €245.10m | €155.50m | €89.60m | 57.6% |
41 | SSC Napoli | Serie A | €587.75m | €372.65m | €215.10m | 57.7% |
42 | Bologna FC 1909 | Serie A | €166.45m | €105.21m | €61.24m | 58.2% |
43 | Celta de Vigo | La Liga | €117.80m | €74.35m | €43.45m | 58.4% |
44 | Arsenal | Premier League | €1.10bn | €685.14m | €410.36m | 59.9% |
45 | Crystal Palace | Premier League | €369.45m | €228.99m | €140.47m | 61.3% |
46 | AS Roma | Serie A | €362.15m | €222.60m | €139.55m | 62.7% |
47 | US Salernitana 1919 | Serie A | €99.90m | €61.30m | €38.60m | 63.0% |
48 | Fulham | Premier League | €304.00m | €185.42m | €118.58m | 64.0% |
49 | Stade Rennais FC | Ligue 1 | €280.50m | €169.90m | €110.60m | 65.1% |
50 | RC Strasbourg Alsace | Ligue 1 | €129.85m | €78.50m | €51.35m | 65.4% |
51 | AC Milan | Serie A | €543.25m | €328.03m | €215.22m | 65.6% |
52 | Torino FC | Serie A | €186.10m | €107.10m | €79.00m | 73.8% |
53 | FC Lorient | Ligue 1 | €110.90m | €63.20m | €47.70m | 75.5% |
54 | Real Madrid | La Liga | €1.03bn | €573.00m | €458.00m | 79.9% |
55 | Real Betis Balompié | La Liga | €202.80m | €110.50m | €92.30m | 83.5% |
56 | FC Augsburg | Bundesliga | €119.15m | €63.20m | €55.95m | 88.5% |
57 | Genoa CFC | Serie A | €107.75m | €57.10m | €50.65m | 88.7% |
58 | Getafe CF | La Liga | €108.70m | €56.40m | €52.30m | 92.7% |
59 | Al-Taawoun FC | Saudi Pro League | €35.08m | €18.08m | €17.00m | 94.0% |
60 | Rayo Vallecano | La Liga | €83.40m | €42.95m | €40.45m | 94.2% |
61 | LOSC Lille | Ligue 1 | €226.60m | €112.70m | €113.90m | 101.1% |
62 | RCD Mallorca | La Liga | €92.80m | €45.41m | €47.39m | 104.4% |
63 | Brentford | Premier League | €379.10m | €179.80m | €199.30m | 110.8% |
64 | Eintracht Frankfurt | Bundesliga | €211.65m | €100.00m | €111.65m | 111.7% |
65 | Hellas Verona | Serie A | €89.28m | €41.44m | €47.83m | 115.4% |
66 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | €931.95m | €425.00m | €506.95m | 119.3% |
67 | RC Lens | Ligue 1 | €212.55m | €95.80m | €116.75m | 121.9% |
68 | FC Nantes | Ligue 1 | €113.40m | €49.70m | €63.70m | 128.2% |
69 | FC Metz | Ligue 1 | €37.55m | €15.50m | €22.05m | 142.3% |
70 | Bayer 04 Leverkusen | Bundesliga | €562.55m | €232.15m | €330.40m | 142.3% |
71 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Premier League | €469.30m | €192.47m | €276.83m | 143.8% |
72 | Al-Fayha FC | Saudi Pro League | €26.58m | €10.58m | €15.99m | 151.1% |
73 | Inter Milan | Serie A | €563.35m | €223.10m | €340.25m | 152.5% |
74 | FC Barcelona | La Liga | €862.00m | €331.40m | €530.60m | 160.1% |
75 | SS Lazio | Serie A | €280.28m | €101.80m | €178.48m | 175.3% |
76 | Valencia CF | La Liga | €178.90m | €64.45m | €114.45m | 177.6% |
77 | Damac FC | Saudi Pro League | €19.86m | €7.10m | €12.76m | 179.7% |
78 | Villarreal CF | La Liga | €188.20m | €66.33m | €121.87m | 183.7% |
79 | SV Werder Bremen | Bundesliga | €88.20m | €29.73m | €58.47m | 196.7% |
80 | 1.FSV Mainz 05 | Bundesliga | €104.48m | €32.50m | €71.98m | 221.5% |
81 | Al-Khaleej FC | Saudi Pro League | €13.58m | €4.07m | €9.50m | 233.4% |
82 | Granada CF | La Liga | €68.10m | €20.05m | €48.05m | 239.7% |
83 | Al-Wehda FC | Saudi Pro League | €14.35m | €4.20m | €10.15m | 241.7% |
84 | Al-Tai FC | Saudi Pro League | €16.13m | €4.65m | €11.48m | 246.9% |
85 | Al-Raed SFC | Saudi Pro League | €13.95m | €3.97m | €9.98m | 251.4% |
86 | Luton Town | Premier League | €87.20m | €24.75m | €62.45m | 252.3% |
87 | Montpellier HSC | Ligue 1 | €95.45m | €26.95m | €68.50m | 254.2% |
88 | Stade Brestois 29 | Ligue 1 | €77.65m | €21.75m | €55.90m | 257.0% |
89 | FC Toulouse | Ligue 1 | €79.35m | €22.14m | €57.21m | 258.4% |
90 | 1.FC Union Berlin | Bundesliga | €167.15m | €45.92m | €121.23m | 264.0% |
91 | Olympique Lyon | Ligue 1 | €192.40m | €52.79m | €139.61m | 264.5% |
92 | Cádiz CF | La Liga | €59.50m | €16.25m | €43.25m | 266.2% |
93 | US Lecce | Serie A | €81.53m | €21.61m | €59.92m | 277.3% |
94 | SC Freiburg | Bundesliga | €177.05m | €46.40m | €130.65m | 281.6% |
95 | Deportivo Alavés | La Liga | €52.20m | €13.65m | €38.55m | 282.4% |
96 | CA Osasuna | La Liga | €116.60m | €29.30m | €87.30m | 298.0% |
97 | SV Darmstadt 98 | Bundesliga | €41.00m | €10.15m | €30.85m | 303.9% |
98 | Girona FC | La Liga | €161.10m | €38.25m | €122.85m | 321.2% |
99 | Al-Fateh SC | Saudi Pro League | €20.28m | €4.74m | €15.53m | 327.6% |
100 | Al-Okhdood Club | Saudi Pro League | €15.98m | €3.59m | €12.38m | 344.8% |
101 | VfB Stuttgart | Bundesliga | €222.80m | €48.25m | €174.55m | 361.8% |
102 | Athletic Bilbao | La Liga | €218.80m | €46.35m | €172.45m | 372.1% |
103 | Real Sociedad | La Liga | €431.10m | €90.90m | €340.20m | 374.3% |
104 | FC Empoli | Serie A | €89.60m | €18.40m | €71.20m | 387.0% |
105 | 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 | Bundesliga | €49.25m | €9.40m | €39.85m | 423.9% |
106 | 1.FC Köln | Bundesliga | €95.60m | €15.80m | €79.80m | 505.1% |
107 | Clermont Foot 63 | Ligue 1 | €51.75m | €8.10m | €43.65m | 538.9% |
108 | Abha Club | Saudi Pro League | €21.79m | €2.98m | €18.81m | 631.2% |
109 | Al-Hazem SC | Saudi Pro League | €14.73m | €1.75m | €12.98m | 741.7% |
110 | UD Las Palmas | La Liga | €53.90m | €5.85m | €48.05m | 821.4% |
111 | Frosinone Calcio | Serie A | €62.55m | €6.04m | €56.52m | 935.8% |
112 | Al-Riyadh SC | Saudi Pro League | €17.25m | €1.00m | €16.25m | 1625.0% |
113 | VfL Bochum | Bundesliga | €57.60m | €3.09m | €54.52m | 1764.4% |
114 | Le Havre AC | Ligue 1 | €56.60m | €2.90m | €53.70m | 1851.7% |
Al-Hilal SFC -39.9% difference between market and purchase values
The club with the biggest decrease between purchase value and market value is Al-Hilal, with a 40% decrease. In the 2023 summer transfer window, Al-Hilal spent €350 million on eight different players. The most expensive transfer Al-Hilal made was Neymar Jr at €90 million, who currently has an estimated market value of €45 million.
Al-Ittihad Club -30.8% difference between market and purchase values
Al-Ittihad takes second place, whose squad is worth 31% less than its purchase value. The Saudi Arabian title holders made some thrifty transfers, signing N’golo Kante and Karim Benzema on a free transfer from Chelsea and Real Madrid, respectively. However, the club still spent €120 million on players, including the €46.7 million transfer of Fabinho from Liverpool.
Al-Ahli SFC -13.1% difference between purchase value and market value
Completing an all-Saudi Arabian top three is Al-Ahli, whose market value is 13% less than its purchase value. Al-Ahli spent almost €200 million in the 2023 summer transfer window, with Riyad Mahrez being the most expensive transfer at €35 million. Mahrez’s estimated value is €16 million, less than half of what Al-Ahli paid for the Algerian.
Chelsea has the biggest net transfer balance over the last five years in Europe’s top five leagues and Saudi Arabia, at -€788.88 million
We’ve looked at the transfer fees of arrivals and departures of those in Europe’s top five leagues and Saudi Arabia, to reveal the clubs with the biggest net transfer balance.
Rank | Team | League | Expenditure Between 19/20 - 23/24 Seasons | Income Between 19/20 - 23/24 Seasons | Net Transfer Balance Between 19/20 - 23/24 Seasons |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Chelsea | Premier League | €1.49bn | €700.61m | -€788.88m |
2 | Manchester United | Premier League | €908.18m | €210.77m | -€697.41m |
3 | Arsenal | Premier League | €841.04m | €195.90m | -€645.14m |
4 | Tottenham Hotspur | Premier League | €781.90m | €268.37m | -€513.53m |
5 | Newcastle United | Premier League | €580.95m | €94.57m | -€486.38m |
6 | Al-Hilal SFC | Saudi Pro League | €418.12m | €3.74m | -€414.39m |
7 | Manchester City | Premier League | €878.22m | €505.47m | -€372.75m |
8 | Aston Villa | Premier League | €583.79m | €219.32m | -€364.47m |
9 | Paris Saint-Germain | Ligue 1 | €745.00m | €388.60m | -€356.40m |
10 | West Ham United | Premier League | €573.06m | €283.58m | -€289.49m |
11 | Liverpool | Premier League | €490.75m | €236.15m | -€254.60m |
12 | AC Milan | Serie A | €442.18m | €196.69m | -€245.48m |
13 | Nottingham Forest | Premier League | €347.43m | €104.20m | -€243.24m |
14 | Al-Nassr FC | Saudi Pro League | €225.15m | €11.83m | -€213.33m |
15 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | €559.75m | €355.90m | -€203.85m |
16 | Al-Ahli SFC | Saudi Pro League | €213.96m | €22.34m | -€191.62m |
17 | Real Madrid | La Liga | €596.00m | €422.15m | -€173.85m |
18 | Juventus FC | Serie A | €717.19m | €546.84m | -€170.35m |
19 | FC Barcelona | La Liga | €685.84m | €524.46m | -€161.38m |
20 | SSC Napoli | Serie A | €489.32m | €333.99m | -€155.33m |
21 | Al-Ittihad Club | Saudi Pro League | €158.01m | €4.59m | -€153.42m |
22 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Premier League | €513.00m | €367.17m | -€145.83m |
23 | Sheffield United | Premier League | €204.45m | €59.25m | -€145.20m |
24 | Olympique Marseille | Ligue 1 | €290.94m | €146.18m | -€144.77m |
25 | OGC Nice | Ligue 1 | €262.93m | €134.47m | -€128.45m |
26 | Fulham | Premier League | €236.92m | €109.20m | -€127.72m |
27 | Bournemouth | Premier League | €279.04m | €156.58m | -€122.47m |
28 | Crystal Palace | Premier League | €200.92m | €80.83m | -€120.09m |
29 | AC Monza | Serie A | €118.98m | €0.61m | -€118.38m |
30 | VfL Wolfsburg | Bundesliga | €248.93m | €144.10m | -€104.83m |
31 | Burnley | Premier League | €228.60m | €136.61m | -€91.99m |
32 | Brentford | Premier League | €194.25m | €110.95m | -€83.30m |
33 | AS Monaco | Ligue 1 | €426.70m | €347.12m | -€79.58m |
34 | Sevilla FC | La Liga | €366.98m | €297.63m | -€69.35m |
35 | Bologna FC 1909 | Serie A | €187.29m | €134.93m | -€52.36m |
36 | Bayer 04 Leverkusen | Bundesliga | €295.65m | €245.54m | -€50.11m |
37 | US Salernitana 1919 | Serie A | €88.47m | €38.97m | -€49.50m |
38 | UD Almería | La Liga | €156.45m | €112.30m | -€44.15m |
39 | SS Lazio | Serie A | €186.46m | €143.25m | -€43.21m |
40 | Al-Shabab FC | Saudi Pro League | €60.56m | €23.48m | -€37.08m |
41 | CA Osasuna | La Liga | €40.80m | €4.00m | -€36.80m |
42 | Torino FC | Serie A | €166.33m | €133.10m | -€33.23m |
43 | Al-Ettifaq FC | Saudi Pro League | €49.75m | €16.95m | -€32.79m |
44 | Borussia Mönchengladbach | Bundesliga | €124.28m | €93.08m | -€31.20m |
45 | Everton | Premier League | €353.57m | €324.63m | -€28.95m |
46 | 1.FC Union Berlin | Bundesliga | €88.50m | €60.49m | -€28.01m |
47 | Granada CF | La Liga | €65.24m | €40.55m | -€24.69m |
48 | RCD Mallorca | La Liga | €58.87m | €36.30m | -€22.57m |
49 | Cádiz CF | La Liga | €34.40m | €17.00m | -€17.40m |
50 | AS Roma | Serie A | €338.45m | €321.20m | -€17.25m |
51 | Getafe CF | La Liga | €85.46m | €68.50m | -€16.96m |
52 | Luton Town | Premier League | €26.68m | €12.50m | -€14.18m |
53 | Athletic Bilbao | La Liga | €12.00m | €0.00m | -€12.00m |
54 | Rayo Vallecano | La Liga | €43.90m | €32.21m | -€11.69m |
55 | FC Augsburg | Bundesliga | €88.46m | €77.45m | -€11.01m |
56 | Al-Fayha FC | Saudi Pro League | €12.45m | €1.60m | -€10.85m |
57 | Genoa CFC | Serie A | €194.12m | €183.36m | -€10.76m |
58 | RC Strasbourg Alsace | Ligue 1 | €90.50m | €81.90m | -€8.60m |
59 | Damac FC | Saudi Pro League | €10.48m | €2.74m | -€7.73m |
60 | Al-Tai FC | Saudi Pro League | €7.15m | €0.00m | -€7.15m |
61 | Abha Club | Saudi Pro League | €7.42m | €2.01m | -€5.40m |
62 | Al-Khaleej FC | Saudi Pro League | €5.07m | €0.00m | -€5.07m |
63 | Al-Hazem SC | Saudi Pro League | €5.67m | €1.20m | -€4.47m |
64 | SV Darmstadt 98 | Bundesliga | €9.58m | €5.20m | -€4.38m |
65 | Al-Wehda FC | Saudi Pro League | €3.62m | €0.00m | -€3.62m |
66 | Al-Okhdood Club | Saudi Pro League | €3.59m | €0.00m | -€3.59m |
67 | Al-Raed SFC | Saudi Pro League | €5.42m | €2.75m | -€2.67m |
68 | Al-Riyadh SC | Saudi Pro League | €1.00m | €0.00m | -€1.00m |
69 | Cagliari Calcio | Serie A | €119.58m | €119.09m | -€0.49m |
70 | US Lecce | Serie A | €39.40m | €39.64m | €0.24m |
71 | Al-Taawoun FC | Saudi Pro League | €21.47m | €23.27m | €1.81m |
72 | RC Lens | Ligue 1 | €153.58m | €158.99m | €5.41m |
73 | 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 | Bundesliga | €14.60m | €20.15m | €5.55m |
74 | Al-Fateh SC | Saudi Pro League | €12.52m | €22.07m | €9.55m |
75 | Stade Brestois 29 | Ligue 1 | €41.70m | €51.40m | €9.70m |
76 | Real Sociedad | La Liga | €114.65m | €125.05m | €10.40m |
77 | Deportivo Alavés | La Liga | €22.17m | €34.01m | €11.84m |
78 | Inter Milan | Serie A | €495.70m | €507.69m | €11.99m |
79 | FC Nantes | Ligue 1 | €65.65m | €77.80m | €12.15m |
80 | VfL Bochum | Bundesliga | €4.89m | €17.40m | €12.52m |
81 | 1.FC Köln | Bundesliga | €48.55m | €61.32m | €12.77m |
82 | Girona FC | La Liga | €42.95m | €55.82m | €12.87m |
83 | Frosinone Calcio | Serie A | €9.46m | €23.93m | €14.48m |
84 | Le Havre AC | Ligue 1 | €6.15m | €26.10m | €19.95m |
85 | Celta de Vigo | La Liga | €86.67m | €108.35m | €21.68m |
86 | Borussia Dortmund | Bundesliga | €417.75m | €441.60m | €23.85m |
87 | UD Las Palmas | La Liga | €5.87m | €33.16m | €27.30m |
88 | Stade Reims | Ligue 1 | €118.30m | €147.15m | €28.85m |
89 | FC Toulouse | Ligue 1 | €49.24m | €78.50m | €29.26m |
90 | Clermont Foot 63 | Ligue 1 | €9.40m | €40.10m | €30.70m |
91 | 1.FSV Mainz 05 | Bundesliga | €73.40m | €106.55m | €33.15m |
92 | ACF Fiorentina | Serie A | €265.15m | €299.83m | €34.69m |
93 | FC Lorient | Ligue 1 | €93.40m | €128.82m | €35.42m |
94 | SV Werder Bremen | Bundesliga | €39.40m | €77.01m | €37.61m |
95 | Stade Rennais FC | Ligue 1 | €352.06m | €393.82m | €41.76m |
96 | FC Metz | Ligue 1 | €39.45m | €81.30m | €41.85m |
97 | Hellas Verona | Serie A | €128.61m | €171.67m | €43.06m |
98 | RB Leipzig | Bundesliga | €502.62m | €552.77m | €50.15m |
99 | Atlético de Madrid | La Liga | €488.25m | €541.60m | €53.35m |
100 | US Sassuolo | Serie A | €250.88m | €309.66m | €58.79m |
101 | SC Freiburg | Bundesliga | €64.75m | €124.73m | €59.98m |
102 | Real Betis Balompié | La Liga | €134.20m | €197.45m | €63.25m |
103 | Montpellier HSC | Ligue 1 | €49.05m | €112.75m | €63.70m |
104 | Villarreal CF | La Liga | €153.78m | €247.39m | €93.61m |
105 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Premier League | €342.89m | €441.70m | €98.81m |
106 | FC Empoli | Serie A | €52.46m | €156.21m | €103.75m |
107 | TSG 1899 Hoffenheim | Bundesliga | €122.95m | €236.55m | €113.60m |
108 | Valencia CF | La Liga | €111.30m | €226.85m | €115.55m |
109 | Udinese Calcio | Serie A | €141.50m | €267.06m | €125.56m |
110 | Eintracht Frankfurt | Bundesliga | €190.79m | €321.30m | €130.52m |
111 | VfB Stuttgart | Bundesliga | €92.44m | €230.41m | €137.97m |
112 | Atalanta BC | Serie A | €360.40m | €517.86m | €157.46m |
113 | Olympique Lyon | Ligue 1 | €237.75m | €493.58m | €255.83m |
114 | LOSC Lille | Ligue 1 | €221.63m | €493.03m | €271.40m |
Chelsea -€788.88 million net transfer balance over the last five seasons
Chelsea takes the top spot with a net spend of -€788 million. Despite earning just over €700 million from transfers away from the club, the London club have spent almost €1.5 billion in the last five years. In the summer of 2023, Chelsea acquired Moisés Caicedo for more than €100 million. The only season in the last five years where Chelsea didn’t pay at least €80 million for an individual player was the 2019/20 season where they were given a transfer ban.
Manchester United - -€697.41 million net transfer balance over the last five seasons
In second place is Manchester United with a net spend of -€700 million over the last five years. Manchester United have spent just over €900 million on transfers in the last five seasons, recouping just €200 million back in sales. United’s biggest transfer in that timeframe was for Antony, who cost the club €95 million.
Arsenal - -€645.14 million net transfer balance over the last five seasons
Completing an all-Premier League top three is Arsenal, with a net spend of -€645 million in the last five seasons. Arsenal have spent more than €100 million in four of the last five seasons, with the only season they spent less than this being the 2020/21 season where they spent €80 million. During this time, Arsenal's most expensive signing was Declan Rice, which cost the club more than €116 million.
LOSC Lille has spent €271 million less than they’ve earned, the lowest net transfer balance in Europe’s top five leagues and Saudi Arabia
Below, we reveal the clubs with the lowest net transfer balance in Europe’s top five leagues and Saudi Arabia.
Rank | Team | League | Expenditure Between 19/20 - 23/24 Seasons | Income Between 19/20 - 23/24 Seasons | Net Transfer Balance Between 19/20 - 23/24 Seasons |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | LOSC Lille | Ligue 1 | €221.63m | €493.03m | €271.40m |
2 | Olympique Lyon | Ligue 1 | €237.75m | €493.58m | €255.83m |
3 | Atalanta BC | Serie A | €360.40m | €517.86m | €157.46m |
4 | VfB Stuttgart | Bundesliga | €92.44m | €230.41m | €137.97m |
5 | Eintracht Frankfurt | Bundesliga | €190.79m | €321.30m | €130.52m |
6 | Udinese Calcio | Serie A | €141.50m | €267.06m | €125.56m |
7 | Valencia CF | La Liga | €111.30m | €226.85m | €115.55m |
8 | TSG 1899 Hoffenheim | Bundesliga | €122.95m | €236.55m | €113.60m |
9 | FC Empoli | Serie A | €52.46m | €156.21m | €103.75m |
10 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Premier League | €342.89m | €441.70m | €98.81m |
11 | Villarreal CF | La Liga | €153.78m | €247.39m | €93.61m |
12 | Montpellier HSC | Ligue 1 | €49.05m | €112.75m | €63.70m |
13 | Real Betis Balompié | La Liga | €134.20m | €197.45m | €63.25m |
14 | SC Freiburg | Bundesliga | €64.75m | €124.73m | €59.98m |
15 | US Sassuolo | Serie A | €250.88m | €309.66m | €58.79m |
16 | Atlético de Madrid | La Liga | €488.25m | €541.60m | €53.35m |
17 | RB Leipzig | Bundesliga | €502.62m | €552.77m | €50.15m |
18 | Hellas Verona | Serie A | €128.61m | €171.67m | €43.06m |
19 | FC Metz | Ligue 1 | €39.45m | €81.30m | €41.85m |
20 | Stade Rennais FC | Ligue 1 | €352.06m | €393.82m | €41.76m |
21 | SV Werder Bremen | Bundesliga | €39.40m | €77.01m | €37.61m |
22 | FC Lorient | Ligue 1 | €93.40m | €128.82m | €35.42m |
23 | ACF Fiorentina | Serie A | €265.15m | €299.83m | €34.69m |
24 | 1.FSV Mainz 05 | Bundesliga | €73.40m | €106.55m | €33.15m |
25 | Clermont Foot 63 | Ligue 1 | €9.40m | €40.10m | €30.70m |
26 | FC Toulouse | Ligue 1 | €49.24m | €78.50m | €29.26m |
27 | Stade Reims | Ligue 1 | €118.30m | €147.15m | €28.85m |
28 | UD Las Palmas | La Liga | €5.87m | €33.16m | €27.30m |
29 | Borussia Dortmund | Bundesliga | €417.75m | €441.60m | €23.85m |
30 | Celta de Vigo | La Liga | €86.67m | €108.35m | €21.68m |
31 | Le Havre AC | Ligue 1 | €6.15m | €26.10m | €19.95m |
32 | Frosinone Calcio | Serie A | €9.46m | €23.93m | €14.48m |
33 | Girona FC | La Liga | €42.95m | €55.82m | €12.87m |
34 | 1.FC Köln | Bundesliga | €48.55m | €61.32m | €12.77m |
35 | VfL Bochum | Bundesliga | €4.89m | €17.40m | €12.52m |
36 | FC Nantes | Ligue 1 | €65.65m | €77.80m | €12.15m |
37 | Inter Milan | Serie A | €495.70m | €507.69m | €11.99m |
38 | Deportivo Alavés | La Liga | €22.17m | €34.01m | €11.84m |
39 | Real Sociedad | La Liga | €114.65m | €125.05m | €10.40m |
40 | Stade Brestois 29 | Ligue 1 | €41.70m | €51.40m | €9.70m |
41 | Al-Fateh SC | Saudi Pro League | €12.52m | €22.07m | €9.55m |
42 | 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 | Bundesliga | €14.60m | €20.15m | €5.55m |
43 | RC Lens | Ligue 1 | €153.58m | €158.99m | €5.41m |
44 | Al-Taawoun FC | Saudi Pro League | €21.47m | €23.27m | €1.81m |
45 | US Lecce | Serie A | €39.40m | €39.64m | €0.24m |
46 | Cagliari Calcio | Serie A | €119.58m | €119.09m | -€0.49m |
47 | Al-Riyadh SC | Saudi Pro League | €1.00m | €0.00m | -€1.00m |
48 | Al-Raed SFC | Saudi Pro League | €5.42m | €2.75m | -€2.67m |
49 | Al-Okhdood Club | Saudi Pro League | €3.59m | €0.00m | -€3.59m |
50 | Al-Wehda FC | Saudi Pro League | €3.62m | €0.00m | -€3.62m |
51 | SV Darmstadt 98 | Bundesliga | €9.58m | €5.20m | -€4.38m |
52 | Al-Hazem SC | Saudi Pro League | €5.67m | €1.20m | -€4.47m |
53 | Al-Khaleej FC | Saudi Pro League | €5.07m | €0.00m | -€5.07m |
54 | Abha Club | Saudi Pro League | €7.42m | €2.01m | -€5.40m |
55 | Al-Tai FC | Saudi Pro League | €7.15m | €0.00m | -€7.15m |
56 | Damac FC | Saudi Pro League | €10.48m | €2.74m | -€7.73m |
57 | RC Strasbourg Alsace | Ligue 1 | €90.50m | €81.90m | -€8.60m |
58 | Genoa CFC | Serie A | €194.12m | €183.36m | -€10.76m |
59 | Al-Fayha FC | Saudi Pro League | €12.45m | €1.60m | -€10.85m |
60 | FC Augsburg | Bundesliga | €88.46m | €77.45m | -€11.01m |
61 | Rayo Vallecano | La Liga | €43.90m | €32.21m | -€11.69m |
62 | Athletic Bilbao | La Liga | €12.00m | €0.00m | -€12.00m |
63 | Luton Town | Premier League | €26.68m | €12.50m | -€14.18m |
64 | Getafe CF | La Liga | €85.46m | €68.50m | -€16.96m |
65 | AS Roma | Serie A | €338.45m | €321.20m | -€17.25m |
66 | Cádiz CF | La Liga | €34.40m | €17.00m | -€17.40m |
67 | RCD Mallorca | La Liga | €58.87m | €36.30m | -€22.57m |
68 | Granada CF | La Liga | €65.24m | €40.55m | -€24.69m |
69 | 1.FC Union Berlin | Bundesliga | €88.50m | €60.49m | -€28.01m |
70 | Everton | Premier League | €353.57m | €324.63m | -€28.95m |
71 | Borussia Mönchengladbach | Bundesliga | €124.28m | €93.08m | -€31.20m |
72 | Al-Ettifaq FC | Saudi Pro League | €49.75m | €16.95m | -€32.79m |
73 | Torino FC | Serie A | €166.33m | €133.10m | -€33.23m |
74 | CA Osasuna | La Liga | €40.80m | €4.00m | -€36.80m |
75 | Al-Shabab FC | Saudi Pro League | €60.56m | €23.48m | -€37.08m |
76 | SS Lazio | Serie A | €186.46m | €143.25m | -€43.21m |
77 | UD Almería | La Liga | €156.45m | €112.30m | -€44.15m |
78 | US Salernitana 1919 | Serie A | €88.47m | €38.97m | -€49.50m |
79 | Bayer 04 Leverkusen | Bundesliga | €295.65m | €245.54m | -€50.11m |
80 | Bologna FC 1909 | Serie A | €187.29m | €134.93m | -€52.36m |
81 | Sevilla FC | La Liga | €366.98m | €297.63m | -€69.35m |
82 | AS Monaco | Ligue 1 | €426.70m | €347.12m | -€79.58m |
83 | Brentford | Premier League | €194.25m | €110.95m | -€83.30m |
84 | Burnley | Premier League | €228.60m | €136.61m | -€91.99m |
85 | VfL Wolfsburg | Bundesliga | €248.93m | €144.10m | -€104.83m |
86 | AC Monza | Serie A | €118.98m | €0.61m | -€118.38m |
87 | Crystal Palace | Premier League | €200.92m | €80.83m | -€120.09m |
88 | Bournemouth | Premier League | €279.04m | €156.58m | -€122.47m |
89 | Fulham | Premier League | €236.92m | €109.20m | -€127.72m |
90 | OGC Nice | Ligue 1 | €262.93m | €134.47m | -€128.45m |
91 | Olympique Marseille | Ligue 1 | €290.94m | €146.18m | -€144.77m |
92 | Sheffield United | Premier League | €204.45m | €59.25m | -€145.20m |
93 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Premier League | €513.00m | €367.17m | -€145.83m |
94 | Al-Ittihad Club | Saudi Pro League | €158.01m | €4.59m | -€153.42m |
95 | SSC Napoli | Serie A | €489.32m | €333.99m | -€155.33m |
96 | FC Barcelona | La Liga | €685.84m | €524.46m | -€161.38m |
97 | Juventus FC | Serie A | €717.19m | €546.84m | -€170.35m |
98 | Real Madrid | La Liga | €596.00m | €422.15m | -€173.85m |
99 | Al-Ahli SFC | Saudi Pro League | €213.96m | €22.34m | -€191.62m |
100 | Bayern Munich | Bundesliga | €559.75m | €355.90m | -€203.85m |
101 | Al-Nassr FC | Saudi Pro League | €225.15m | €11.83m | -€213.33m |
102 | Nottingham Forest | Premier League | €347.43m | €104.20m | -€243.24m |
103 | AC Milan | Serie A | €442.18m | €196.69m | -€245.48m |
104 | Liverpool | Premier League | €490.75m | €236.15m | -€254.60m |
105 | West Ham United | Premier League | €573.06m | €283.58m | -€289.49m |
106 | Paris Saint-Germain | Ligue 1 | €745.00m | €388.60m | -€356.40m |
107 | Aston Villa | Premier League | €583.79m | €219.32m | -€364.47m |
108 | Manchester City | Premier League | €878.22m | €505.47m | -€372.75m |
109 | Al-Hilal SFC | Saudi Pro League | €418.12m | €3.74m | -€414.39m |
110 | Newcastle United | Premier League | €580.95m | €94.57m | -€486.38m |
111 | Tottenham Hotspur | Premier League | €781.90m | €268.37m | -€513.53m |
112 | Arsenal | Premier League | €841.04m | €195.90m | -€645.14m |
113 | Manchester United | Premier League | €908.18m | €210.77m | -€697.41m |
114 | Chelsea | Premier League | €1.49bn | €700.61m | -€788.88m |
LOSC Lille - €271.40 million net transfer balance over the last five seasons
LOSC Lille takes the top spot with a net spend of €271 million over the last five seasons. Lille are the only side to have beaten Paris Saint-Germain to a Ligue 1 title in the last five seasons. Lille’s transfer record, which boasts almost €500 million in player sales whilst spending just €220 million, makes this feat even better. Nicolas Pepe and Victor Osimhen were the two most expensive sales in the last five years, who left the club for a combined €155 million.
Olympique Lyon - €255.83 million net transfer balance over the last five seasons
In second place is Olympique Lyon, who have a positive net spend of €255.83 million in the last five seasons. Lyon’s most expensive departure is Tanguy Ndombele, who left the club for Tottenham Hotspur for €62 million ahead of the 2019/20 season. In the same season, Lyon recorded their most expensive transfer, signing Jeff Reine-Adelaide for €25 million.
Atalanta BC - €157.46 million net transfer balance over the last five seasons
Completing our top three is Atalanta BC, with a positive net spend of €157.46 million over the last five seasons. Atalanta broke their record for departures in consecutive seasons, selling Cristian Romero to Tottenham Hotspur for €50 million and Rasmus Hojlund to Manchester United for €73.9 million ahead of the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, respectively.
How does Saudi Arabia’s spending compare to Europe’s top five leagues?
Many clubs in Saudi Arabia spent the 2023 summer investing in their teams, spending just over €1 billion to attract some of Europe’s best players. That’s why we wanted to know how their spending compared to Europe’s top five leagues.
Rank | Team | League | Market Value | Purchase Value | Difference | Percentage Difference Between Market Value and Purchase Value | Expenditure Between 19/20 - 23/24 Seasons | Income Between 19/20 - 23/24 Seasons | Net Transfer Balance Between 19/20 - 23/24 Seasons | Average League Position | Transfer Spending Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Al-Ahli SFC | Saudi Pro League | €163.65m | €188.22m | -€24.57m | -13.05% | €213.96m | €22.34m | -€191.62m | 7.25 | 2.83 |
2 | Al-Ittihad Club | Saudi Pro League | €105.75m | €152.82m | -€47.07m | -30.80% | €158.01m | €4.59m | -€153.42m | 4.40 | 3.42 |
2 | Al-Hilal SFC | Saudi Pro League | €222.33m | €369.99m | -€147.66m | -39.91% | €418.12m | €3.74m | -€414.39m | 1.40 | 3.42 |
4 | Al-Nassr FC | Saudi Pro League | €164.75m | €189.47m | -€24.72m | -13.05% | €225.15m | €11.83m | -€213.33m | 3.00 | 3.51 |
5 | Al-Ettifaq FC | Saudi Pro League | €50.15m | €39.30m | €10.85m | 27.61% | €49.75m | €16.95m | -€32.79m | 7.80 | 4.19 |
6 | Al-Shabab FC | Saudi Pro League | €53.28m | €40.65m | €12.63m | 31.07% | €60.56m | €23.48m | -€37.08m | 5.80 | 4.48 |
7 | Al-Fayha FC | Saudi Pro League | €26.58m | €10.58m | €15.99m | 151.13% | €12.45m | €1.60m | -€10.85m | 11.50 | 5.04 |
8 | Al-Hazem SC | Saudi Pro League | €14.73m | €1.75m | €12.98m | 741.71% | €5.67m | €1.20m | -€4.47m | 16.33 | 5.19 |
9 | Al-Khaleej FC | Saudi Pro League | €13.58m | €4.07m | €9.50m | 233.42% | €5.07m | - | -€5.07m | 12.00 | 5.34 |
10 | Al-Okhdood Club | Saudi Pro League | €15.98m | €3.59m | €12.38m | 344.85% | €3.59m | - | -€3.59m | 14.00 | 5.49 |
11 | Al-Riyadh SC | Saudi Pro League | €17.25m | €1.00m | €16.25m | 1625.00% | €1.00m | - | -€1.00m | 15.00 | 5.72 |
12 | Al-Wehda FC | Saudi Pro League | €14.35m | €4.20m | €10.15m | 241.67% | €3.62m | - | -€3.62m | 10.25 | 5.87 |
13 | Al-Tai FC | Saudi Pro League | €16.13m | €4.65m | €11.48m | 246.88% | €7.15m | - | -€7.15m | 9.33 | 6.02 |
14 | Al-Taawoun FC | Saudi Pro League | €35.08m | €18.08m | €17.00m | 94.03% | €21.47m | €23.27m | €1.81m | 7.40 | 6.07 |
15 | Al-Raed SFC | Saudi Pro League | €13.95m | €3.97m | €9.98m | 251.39% | €5.42m | €2.75m | -€2.67m | 10.00 | 6.13 |
16 | Damac FC | Saudi Pro League | €19.86m | €7.10m | €12.76m | 179.72% | €10.48m | €2.74m | -€7.73m | 8.00 | 6.14 |
17 | Abha Club | Saudi Pro League | €21.79m | €2.98m | €18.81m | 631.21% | €7.42m | €2.01m | -€5.40m | 11.80 | 6.22 |
18 | Al-Fateh SC | Saudi Pro League | €20.28m | €4.74m | €15.53m | 327.64% | €12.52m | €22.07m | €9.55m | 8.20 | 7.14 |
Al-Ahli - 2.83 spending score when compared to Europe’s top five leagues
Saudi Arabia’s worst spenders are Al-Ahli, with a spending score of 2.83 out of 10 when compared to Europe’s top five leagues. Al-Ahli spent €184 million over the summer, the third highest in Saudi Arabia. Al-Ahli made some shrewd signings, including Roberto Firmino on a free transfer from Liverpool and Spanish midfielder Gabri Veiga, currently valued as the 5th most valuable player in the league.
Al-Ittihad/Al-Hilal - 3.42 spending score when compared to Europe’s top five leagues
Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal share second place, with a spending score of 3.42 out of 10 when compared to Europe’s top five leagues. Al-Ittihad spent a little over €121 million, signing Fabinho from Liverpool and Jota from Celtic for €46.7 million and €29.1 million, respectively.
Al-Hilal were the biggest spender in the Saudi Pro League, spending €350 million in the 2023 summer transfer window. Neymar Jr, Malcolm, and Ruben Neves all arrived for a combined €205 million. Al-Hilal also boasts three of the top five most valuable players in the Saudi Pro League, with Neymar Jr and Ruben Neves taking the top two places.
Al-Nassr - 3.51 spending score when compared to Europe’s top five leagues
Completing our top three is Al-Nassr, with a spending score of 3.51 out of 10 when compared to Europe’s top five leagues. Al-Nassr spent €165 million over the 2023 summer transfer window, with Otavio’s €60 million transfer from Porto the most expensive. However, Al-Nassr’s most significant signing was Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined the club as a free agent in December of 2022.
Methodology
We used the teams competing in the 2023/24 season of the English Premier League, French Ligue 1, German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A, Spanish La Liga, and Saudi Arabian Saudi Pro for our seeding list.
We used TransferMarkt to find the market value, purchase value, difference between market and purchase values, expenditure between the 2019/20 and 2023/24 seasons, income between the 2019/20 and 2023/24 seasons, and net spend between the 2019/20 and 2023/24 seasons.
We then calculated a percentage difference between market and purchase values, we divided the difference between market and purchase value, but the purchase value.
We also used TransferMarkt to find the league positions of each team between the 2019/20 season and the 2023/24 season. Using these league positions, we worked out the average league position over the last five seasons. For teams that had been promoted and relegated during the 2019/20 and 2023/24 seasons, we took an average league position based on the seasons they competed in the top flight of their respective leagues.
We then put the percentage difference between market and purchase values, net spend over the last five seasons, and average league position into a weighted table, normalising each factor with a score out of 10. We then took an average of these scores to get our overall spending score out of 10.
All transfer fees referenced were also sourced from TransferMarkt.
All data is accurate as of 20.12.2023.