CNA – Manchester United returned to the top of the table but not the one they were hoping for as they were named the club with the biggest transfer losses in the last decade, splashing out more than EUR1 billion on players.
A study published by Switzerland-based independent research group CIES Football Observatory revealed United had a net spend of EUR1.075 euros since 2012, spending EUR1.545 billion on transfers while making EUR470 million back in player sales.
United broke the Premier League transfer record to sign Paul Pogba in 2016 for GBP89.5 million but are set to make no return on the French midfielder, who has failed to meet expectations and can leave for free at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Other costly yet unsuccessful signings include Anthony Martial, signed for GBP36 million in 2015, and Donny van de Beek, who cost the club GBP40 million in 2020.
Both players left on loan last month, for Sevilla and Everton, respectively.
Their local rivals Manchester City came second with a net spend of EUR984 million, splashing out more than United with EUR1.699 billion but bringing in EUR715 million from sales.
Paris St Germain were third with a net spend of EUR941 million.
Barcelona were fourth in the list with a far lower net spend of EUR650 million, although the Catalans have been in financial turmoil in the last year due to an inflated wage bill, which forced them to part with all-time top scorer Lionel Messi.
