Premier League clubs on course for £1bn window as transfer record goes

25 August 2016 17:23

Premier League clubs have broken the transfer spending record, with Deloitte predicting the figure to have topped £1billion when the current window closes next week.

At 4pm on Thursday, shortly after Manchester City's signing of Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was confirmed, the P remier League clubs' gross spending in the current transfer window stood at £880million - topping the £870m of last summer.

According to the financial services firm, at the same stage last year the figure was £685million - £195m down on this year.

Dan Jones, partner and head of the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, said: "This is the fourth summer in a row where we have seen record-breaking spending by Premier League clubs.

"Buoyed by the prospect of increased revenue from the new broadcast deals, clubs' gross spending has now passed last year's record of £870m.

"This is particularly striking considering we still have the best part of a week to go before deadline day."

The current transfer window closes next Wednesday, August 31.

Jones added: "With the third round of games in the new Premier League season to come this weekend and a number of clubs keen to strengthen with a view to competing in European and domestic cup competitions, total spending in this window will likely break the £1billion barrier for the first time."

Source: PA