Top 10 clubs who spent most on transfers in single season

These clubs shocked the whole world with their transfer strategies.

After a tussle that lasted for weeks, the Winter transfer window has finally come to a close. Despite the fact that it was mid-season, clubs still spent heavily. Premier League clubs, in particular, led the spending list. Clubs in the Premier League spent £815 million, more than thrice January 2022 window where they spent only £295 million.

The rise in spending culture has also led to many questions about financial fair play rules. For example, Chelsea spent money like water and even broke the British transfer record when they signed Enzo Fernandez for €121 million in a window where they spent more than 350 million euros.

In addition to the 2022/23 transfer window, there have been many exciting transfer windows. Let's take a look at the Top 10 Clubs that spent the most on transfers in a single season.

10. Manchester United (2022/23)- €243 million

Despite being surrounded by controversies and speculation about his handling of transfers at Old Trafford, Erik Ten Hag has found a new lease on life at Manchester United this season. It was the Dutch tactician who made some bold moves and signed players from his former club Ajax like Lisandro Martinez and Antony at record fees. 

9. Chelsea (2020/21)- €247 million

During the 2019/20 season, Chelsea suffered a transfer ban that came as a blessing and disguise for Frank Lampard, who was the manager at the time. That season saw players emerge like Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Reece James, etc. Following the saving of money for the 2019/20 season, the club invested heavily in 2020/21 and signed big names such as Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell, etc.

8. Atletico Madrid (2019/20)- €247 million

A club like Atletico Madrid usually does its business without making much noise. They are not known for spending much money on transfers, but in 2019/20 they broke their old tradition. In that season, Atletico Madrid signed big players like Joao Felix, Mario Hermoso, and Kieran Trippier for a record €247 million.

7. Chelsea (2017/18)- €260 million

In the transfer market, Chelsea has never shirked from spending big. And 2017/18 was the best example of this strategy. Even after winning Premier League in 2016/17, the blues invested heavily and signed names like Alvaro Morata for £59 million, Tiemoue Bakayoko for £40 million and many others for hefty prices.

6. Juventus (2018/19)- €263 million 

It was Cristiano Ronaldo who was the big attraction in the 2018 summer transfer window. His destination was Juventus who signed him for an estimated £105 million. Juventus also signed names like Joao Cancelo, Douglas Costa, and Leonardo Bonucci as they strived for Champions League success. 

5. FC Barcelona (2019/20)- €298 million

Since the record transfer of Neymar in the summer of 2017, FC Barcelona have been very active in the transfer market. Afterwards, the Catalan spent heavily on players like Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembélé to replace the Brazilian. The 2019/20 season was their second attempt at finding his replacement, as they signed Antonio Griezmann for £108 million and many big names.

4. Manchester City (2017/18)- €317 million 

The 2017/18 season was the start of Pep Guardiola's domination with the cityzens, and transfer business was one of the main reasons for his dominance. In addition to signing Kyle Walker for £47 million, Benjamin Mendy for £51 million, and Aymeric Laporte for £58 million for defence boost, the Spanish tactician spent heavily on attacker and Goalkeeper positions with the signing of Silva and Ederson.

3. Real Madrid (2019/20)- €355 million

It has always been a dream of every player to play for Real Madrid. Though Real Madrid hasn't been as active as Manchester City or Paris Saint Germain in the transfer market, in 2019/20 they created a new Galactico team by spending over 350 million euros on transfers. Their star signing was Eden Hazard, whom he snapped for a record £103 million from Chelsea.

2. FC Barcelona (2017/18)- €380 million

The 2019/20 transfer window was one of Barcelona's biggest spending sprees in the past five years, but it all started in 2017/18. In a record €222 million transfer, the Catalan club lost Neymar to Paris Saint Germain, signalling an outbreak of transfer inflation. As a response to the big loss, Barcelona also made a major move to replace Brazilian by signing Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembélé for more than €100 million.

1. Chelsea (2022/23)- €611 million

Chelsea fans have had a bit of a confusing season in 2022/23. They experienced a change in ownership from Roman Abramovich to Todd Boehly at the beginning of the season. They then lost their Champions League-winning coach Thomas Tuchel in a shocking sacking. The blues haven't been at their best since they are 10th in the league, but they have been breaking transfer records in the transfer market.

They have spent €611 million this season, the highest in history. They have spent more than €300 million in the winter window alone. In addition to Enzo Fernandez for €120 million and Mykhailo Mudryk for £89 million, the blues signed Joao Felix, Benoit Badiashile, David Fofana, Noni Madueke, Malo Gusto and Andrey Santos.