Manchester United have 'overspent' on transfers more than any other club across Europe since 2012, according to findings from the CIES Football Observatory. United have been ranked along with Manchester City and their rivals from five major divisions on the continent to produce an eye-catching list.
Deals involving sides from England, Italy, Spain, Germany and France were analysed by CIES and it was United who came top of the pile in terms of spending more than a player's value. By contrast, neighbours City were ranked 17th in the Premier League — underlining their hugely impressive work in the market over this past decade.
Figures were based on incomings since July 2012 and from teams who have paid fees for at least 10 players during that timeframe. United had 33 major signings analysed and their actual outlay (€1.59billion) was viewed to be €238million more than the market value for those recruits at that time.
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In theory, it means the Old Trafford giants have 'overspent' by 18 per cent. By no means was that the highest percentage in the Premier League or across Europe, but the overall gap in spending and valuation is almost €90million more than Aston Villa (€149million) domestically and €4million more than Juventus (€234million).
Paris Saint-Germain (€162million) and Real Madrid (€148million) complete the top-five in European terms. According to that same data, only three current Premier League clubs — Brighton, Tottenham and Wolves — are deemed to have 'underspent' on their incomings since July 2012.
City have splashed out €1.180billion in that time, including big money on Norway talisman Erling Haaland and Kalvin Phillips during the most-recent transfer window, but in breaking down those deals CIES suggest the Premier League champions have only 'overspent' by €23million on 38 signings.
Chelsea and Liverpool also topped €1billion in spending while overpaying by 11 and 6 per cent respectively. Here are full details provided by CIES in their latest report. It must be noted that transfers concluded by triggering buy-out or option-to-buy clauses were not included in the sample.
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