Biggest transfer market spenders in Europe this summer

As the summer transfer window finally closed, it seems like the perfect time to look at clubs which have spent the most in this window. With Financial Fair Play almost upon us, a lot of clubs have shown complete disregard for it, by signing players left, right and centre. This list of clubs includes four clubs who spent over £100 million in reinforcements, with the Premier League leading the way yet again with over £650 million spent on transfers this summer. So, let us look at who has splashed the cash, showing complete disregard for FFP.

Back in Ligue 1, and bankrolled by a Russian billionaire, AS Monaco were expected to spend big and didn’t disappoint. With Real Madrid, perennial big spenders, once again flexing their financial muscle, the top two spenders were fairly straight forward, but the team occupying the other three positions weren’t who you’d usually expect.

Before moving onto the top five spenders, let us look at those who almost made the cut. Napoli, having sold Edinson Cavani, spent all of that money and a little bit more, to bring their summer spending spree to £75 m. For close to £5o million, they added the Madrid trio of Gonzalo Higuain, Raul Albiol and J Callejon to their ranks, alongside some shrewd signings in Brazilian goal keeping sensation Rafael and Belgian winger D Mertens from Santos and PSV respectively. And now, without further ado, let us move onto the five biggest spenders.

Paris Saint-Germain (£98 million)

Edinson Cavani of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates his goal during the French League 1 between Paris Saint-Germain FC and AC Ajaccio, at Parc des Princes on August 18, 2013 in Paris, France.

In fifth place, but only just, are reigning French champions Paris Saint-Germain, having spent close to £98 million on just three players. Whilst they made headlines with their high-profile acquisition of Edinson Cavani from Napoli for £57 million, it is the other two signings that will probably make the difference at the end of the day. 19-year-old Brazilian centre-back Marquinhos and highly promising left back Lucas Digne were both snapped up from Roma and Lille respectively. And the two of them look like they will be the bed rock of the PSG defence in seasons to come.