Money talks as season kicks off
OVER £1 BILLION HAS CHANGED HANDS
Fuelled by an historically lavish spending spree, the Premier League returns this weekend for its next hotly-anticipated instalment. Taking advantage of astronomical broadcast contracts and lucrative sponsorship deals, England’s superpowers have been splashing the cash at an unprecedented rate.
Since the end of last season, transfer records have been shattered across the country as over £1 billion has changed hands.
While some fear the spending is unsustainable and will put clubs’ long-term stability at risk, the 25th year of the Premier League era should deliver a title race more fiercely contested than ever.
Desperate to dethrone champions Chelsea, club record fees have been paid by Manchester United, who splurged a British record £75 million for Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, Arsenal, who forked out £52m on Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette and Liverpool, who spent £37m on Roma winger Mohamed Salah.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola set the tone with a series of early deals that took his spending in this window to an eye-watering £203,4 million.
Frustrated by City’s failings in his trophyless first season in England, Guardiola has overhauled his squad with defenders Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy and Danilo, plus goalkeeper Ederson and playmaker Bernardo Silva.
Guardiola’s old rival Jose Mourinho hasn’t been shy about raiding the United coffers, with the Lukaku swoop headlining a £140m spree that also brought Benfica defender Victor Lindelof and Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic to Old Trafford.
For Chelsea, a club record £58m lured Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata, while Tiemoue Bakayoko and Antonio Rudiger also joined the club, whose spending climbed over £130m.
Despite finishing second last season, Tottenham, who face promoted Newcastle tomorrow, are yet to make a single signing. – AFP
Today:
Brighton v Manchester City, Chelsea v Burnley, Crystal Palace v Huddersfield, Everton v Stoke, Southampton v Swansea, Watford v Liverpool, West Brom v Bournemouth
Tomorrow:
Manchester United v West Ham, Newcastle v Tottenham