Top 10 highest spenders of the 2022-23 season

Premier League clubs dominate the list

Business is finally closed for the January transfer window. The European teams are ready to fight tooth and nail to achieve their goals with what they decided to have.

It is safe to conclude that the Premier League clubs have outshone the rest of the European market by some margin, with LaLiga president Javier Tebas calling it "doped." The sustainability of European football is at stake, as the disparity between teams is extending at an alarming pace.But let's keep that conversation for another day.

Right now, we would like to draw your focus mainly on the highest spenders of this ongoing season.

10. Manchester City- 6 signings ($164.13m)

Manchester City reinforced their squad at the beginning of the 2022-23 season with the likes of Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips, Manuel Akanji, Julián Álvarez, and Sergio Gomez to compensate for the outgoings. City rarely remains active during the January transfer market. This winter, there were no noticeable exceptions. 

Pep Guardiola firmly believes that transfers during the middle of the season are not always the answer. However, the fans were taken aback by the shocking revelation of João Cancelo's discontent with limited game time.

This unforeseen loan move to Bayern Munich rattled the calm around the Etihad. Supporters are concerned that this event, alone, can sidetrack their chances for an exciting title chase.

9. Barcelona- 8 signings ($172.30m)

Joan Laporta helped Xavi get world-class players like Jules Koundé, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Franck Kessié, and Andreas Christensen in the summer with the help of their unconventional economic levers.

To reduce its wage bill, Barça had to part ways with many of its talents for free. 

The January window had been quiet for the club. Memphis Depay left for Atletico Madrid on loan, while Gerard Pique retired from the sport. The Barcelona management focused on reinvesting their funds in preparing new contracts for key players like Ronald Araujo and Gavi. 

Additionally, the operating restrictions imposed on them by LaLiga’s rules on salary limits meant signing new players and paying a transfer fee, would not have been an easy task.

8. Wolverhampton Wanderers- 8 signings ($193.09m)

In the summer, Wolves earned $ 43.74m by selling, which they reinvested, and a little more to bring in Matheus Nunes, Gonçalo Guedes, and Nathan Collins for $ 131.32m.

Situations became dire for the Wolves as Bruno Lage got replaced with Julen Lopetegui after a string of underwhelming performances. Owner Fosun has helped Lopetegui tick every box with his recruits in the winter.

Centre-back Craig Dawson and backup goalkeeper Dan Bentley provide their experience. Pablo Sarabia plays as a No 10-cum-wideman with a track record of goals and assists. Matheus Cunha was the striker that the manager had on his wishlist.

7. Tottenham Hotspur- 10 signings ($ 193.95m)

If history is anything to go by, then for good measure, Antonio Conte cannot be denied his demands. Spurs had to reach into their pockets to spend $ 132.76m to buy Djed Spence, Destiny Udogie, Yves Bissouma, and Richarlison at the beginning of the season.

By January, Spurs remained out of the coveted Champions League spots, making Conte land in his additional demands for a new right wing-back despite withholding three at his disposal. Pedro Porro from Sporting Lisbon arrived on deadline day with Arnaut Danjuma swindled from Everton's radar.

The London-based club is fighting on three fronts actively. To challenge that- they needed these moves to compete.

6. Nottingham Forest- 29 signings ($ 200.93m)

After earning promotion to the promised lands of the English top-flight, Nottingham Forest has not stopped shopping for more and more players. In the summer alone, they had spent an astonishing amount of $ 163.94m signing 12 players for a fee, three for free and one on loan.

Evangelos Marinakis kept rolling the dice again in the winter to add experience and more options for Steve Cooper. Keylor Navas and Jonjo Shelvey got added to bolster the leadership qualities in the goalkeeping and midfield departments.

Seeking to capitalize on an upturn in form, the Reds will remain steadfast in avoiding relegation in their comeback season. Cooper is getting backed to stay afloat at any cost.

5. Newcastle United- 8 signings ($ 202.07m)

After a boosted inject, few expected Newcastle to compete right from the get-go. The Toons, under Eddie Howe, are pushing impressively for Europe and silverware. Summer additions were imminent, but Newcastle relied on scouting monitored players rather than spending the purse blindly.

Alexander Isak, Sven Botman, Matt Targett, and Nick Pope were all game-changing additions that helped Howe's men to compete actively behind Arsenal and Manchester City. They have reached the EFL Cup final, with new obtainments arriving in the winter.

Anthony Gordon, Harrison Ashby, Amadou Diallo, and Garang Kuol have all joined the wealthiest outfit in the world. The only spontaneous move from Newcastle was Jonjo Shelvey’s departure, which gives the Toons to rely solely on Bruno Guimaraes.

4. Arsenal- 8 signings ($ 209.78m)

Mikel Arteta’s belief in a young squad is finally paying its dividend. The Gunners secured some promising prospects earlier in the summer, with Marquinhos, Fábio Vieira, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Gabriel Jesus finding a new home.

Having missed out on top target Mykhailo Mudryk, Chelsea, and Arsenal bought in Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior. With Mohamed Elneny injured and Albert Sambi Lokonga out of form, Jorginho was signed as a priority toward the final stages of the window to boost the midfield.

Their main target in the final few days of the window had been Moises Caicedo, but Brighton didn't budge till the end. The Gunners would be happy as the title is almost within their grasp. Now, they can't falter much for the remainder of the season.

3. West Ham United- 10 signings ($ 211.56m)

After spending more than $ 196.85 m on summer signings, the results were largely unimpressive. Lucas Paqueta, Gianluca Scamacca, Nayef Aguerd, and Maxwel Cornet did not have the desired effect for which David Moyes is under pressure after a poor run of form.

Slow business for the Hammers was expected as Danny Ings with Luizao were only the additions for West Ham during the January transfer window.

With only 18 points in the bank, the remainder of the season could become challenging for Moyes. They could've opted for a few loan deals, as Ings has already been sidelined briefly shortly after his welcome. 

2. Manchester United- 9 signings ($265.31 m)

Erik ten Hag has had a net positive influence over Manchester United. The Dutch manager had brought in Casemiro, Lisandro Martínez, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia in the summer. They all had immediate effects.

During the ongoing season, the Red Devils had to contain the controversial situation concerning Cristiano Ronaldo going rogue. With Ronaldo leaving, an immediate loan move for Wout Weghorst was imminent to fill the void. Backup goalkeeping option Jack Butland was also acquired relatively early.

On the deadline day, Christian Eriksen got sidelined for the season. United worked towards landing a loan move urgently for Marcel Sabitzer from Bayern Munich.

The United fanbase hasn't given up their hunt for a trophy yet- as there is plenty left to play for! They are already in the finals of the EFL cup and 11 points away from the table toppers with a lesser game in comparison.

1. Chelsea- 16 signings ($ 666.70 m)

The Pensioners continued splashing the cash and emerged as the highest spenders of the ongoing season. It all started in the summer, with Thomas Tuchel wishing to replenish his backline.

Todd Boehly, their new owner, was prepared to spend rather lavishly. The Blues went on to buy players like Raheem Sterling, Marc Cucurella, and Kalidou Koulibaly. Sadly, Tuchel failed to impress Boehly as he suffered the axe. Brighton & Hove Albion manager Graham Potter took his place, after which Boehly pumped more funds towards backing his new manager. Potter got eight fresh incomings in the winter transfer window.

Also, players of 22 or under with foreshadowing potential were the profile based on which the winter recruitment began. Players like Noni Madueke, Malo Gusto, Mykhailo Mudryk, Andrey Santos, David Datro Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Joao Felix, and Enzo Fernandez joined the outfit fitting the bill.

Such astounding investments at Stamford Bridge saw Chelsea break the British record with a staggering last-minute transfer for Fernandez alone, with a £106m buyout clause while astonishingly abiding by the FFP regulations.