EPL spending doubles nearest rival
The English Premier League spent almost $US1 billion ($A1.44 billion) on international summer transfers, more than double the figure of next-placed Spain, the ruling body FIFA said on Tuesday.
FIFA said the English clubs signed 363 players from abroad for $US996 million, down two per cent from the summer transfer window in 2014, while generating $US382 million from selling 351 players to other leagues, down 10 per cent.
While the figures from FIFA's Transfer Matching System include Manchester City's signing of Kevin de Bruyne from Germany's Wolfsburg for an estimated $US85 million, they do not take into account the move of Raheem Sterling from Liverpool to City for about $US74 million.
Accountants Deloitte said last week the Premier League spent a record $US1.3 billion on new players overall in the window that closed on September 1.
On the FIFA list, Spain's Liga dished out $US495 million (down 23 per cent), Italy's Serie A $US389 million (up 55 per cent), France's Ligue 1 $US270 million (up 65 per cent) and Germany's Bundesliga $US248 million (down seven per cent).
France and Germany received more money for departing players than they paid for incoming ones, $US70 million and $US52 million respectively.
The Premier League by contrast spent $US614 million more on players than it generated from sales.
In all, the big five leagues spent $US2.39 billion on international signings, of $US3.13 billion worldwide; and the average fee for an international transfer increased from $US5.5 million to $US5.7 million.
