Top 10 clubs with highest transfer spending over last five seasons

No Bundesliga team features in the list

In football, the summer and winter transfer windows hold crucial importance. The windows provide a good chance for teams to buy players and bolster their ranks. Let's take a look at the top 10 teams with the highest transfer spending over the last five seasons in the top five European leagues.

10. Inter Milan (Serie A) - €501 million

On the 10th, we have the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League, finalists. Inter's days of dominance have long gone. Inter are still one of the biggest clubs in Italy, but they have fallen from grace. 

Under Jose Mourinho, they won the rare treble back in 2009-10, winning the UCL title as well. They have not won the UCL since then. In fact, Inter Milan ended their 10-year title drought just two seasons ago by winning the Scudetto. 

Inter Milan's most expensive transfer is Romelu Lukaku. They bought him from Manchester United for €65 million in 2019. Overall, the club has spent €501 million over the last five seasons.

9. Atletico Madrid (LaLiga) - €617 million

Los Rojiblancos are quite famous and have done well in La Liga and in European competitions over the last few years. Although they have not won the UEFA Champions League, they have played in three UCL finals. 

Atletico Madrid are somehow inconsistent when it comes to playing at the top level. Over the last five seasons, they have spent €617 million on players. In this time span, they have won the Europa League (2018), the UEFA Super Cup (2018), and La Liga (2021). Their 2020–21 La Liga winning campaign was quite remarkable, as they won the title after seven years.

Nonetheless, their main goal is to win the UEFA Champions League, which they have not won in their history.

8. Real Madrid (LaLiga) - €631 million

Arguably the most successful team in the history of football as well as over the last five seasons.

Real Madrid have won numerous trophies over the last five seasons. They have won two UEFA Champions League titles (2018 and 2022), one FIFA Club World Cup (2018), one European Super Cup (2022), two La Liga titles (2019 and 2022), and one Spanish Super Cup. This list of trophies in itself proves how consistently good Real Madrid are.

7. Paris Saint Germain (Ligue 1) - €658 million

A club that is receiving a lot of hatred because of how their fans have treated Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. PSG's most expensive transfer is Neymar Jr., for €222 million. The Brazilian has scored 82 goals and provided 50 assists in 112 games for PSG.

PSG have won the Ligue 1 title this season. The club's biggest goal is to win the UEFA Champions League title since they have never won it.

6. Arsenal (Premier League) - €687 million

The Gunners had fallen from grace until the last few seasons. Arsenal's club record signing of Nicolas Pepe for £72 million did not work out well. A rising star for Arsenal has been Martin Odegaard. Arsenal did win the FA Cup three years ago against Chelsea.

Arsenal were looking to end their 19-year title drought this season. Arteta's men did quite well and almost came close to winning the league as well. Despite not winning a trophy, Arteta and his team have laid a foundation for the next few years. They have also qualified for the UEFA Champions League after five years.

5. Manchester City (Premier League) - €708 million

Pep Guardiola has completely changed the Premier League since arriving at Manchester City. The Spaniard has won the Premier League title five times in the past six years. Pep came close to winning the UEFA Champions League in 2021 but lost in the final against Chelsea.

After much hardship, Manchester City won the iconic treble, which comprises the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League. This is arguably Manchester City's best season ever.

Manchester City's most expensive player is Jack Grealish, who cost the treble winners €118 million. However, Erling Haaland's transfer for £52 million is a bargain considering his astonishing statistics.

4. FC Barcelona (LaLiga) - €779 million

FC Barcelona, the only club to have won the European treble twice, have a very rich history and is one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Barcelona's most expensive players were Phillippe Coutinho and Antoine Griezmann, both for over €100 million each. Unfortunately, both of them struggled at FC Barcelona.

Despite the financial situation improving slowly, FC Barcelona showed up and is getting back into contention for various trophies. FC Barcelona even landed four El Clasico wins in a row against Real Madrid. Xavi's new era and the insurgence of new youngsters such as Pedri, Gavi, Balde, Araujo, and many more have led Barcelona to success. FC Barcelona also won the La Liga title this season with quite a promising campaign.

3. Manchester United (Premier League) - €789 million

The Red Devils last won the Premier League title in the 2012-13 season and the UEFA Champions League in the 2007-08 season. Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the club was decent and qualified for the top four as well. Their disappointment came against Villarreal two seasons ago, when they lost the title on penalties.

Manchester United themselves were on a trophy drought until they won the Carabao Cup under Erik Ten Hag. The Red Devils have signed Casemiro, Antony, Bruno Fernandes, and a few others in the last five seasons.

2. Juventus (Serie A) - €887 million

The most successful Italian club has taken a disastrous turn of events after suffering a ten-point deduction this season. Juventus have won the most Serie A titles (36). They even won the Serie A nine times in a row until Inter Milan ended their streak in 2021.

Juventus is the most unlucky club in the UEFA Champions League. They have reached the finals nine times but have only won twice. Juventus were doing well some years ago when they managed to sign Cristiano Ronaldo. They even won Serie A and other titles as well.

However, just like any other club on this list, they are also looking to win the UEFA Champions League. Unfortunately for Juventus, they are far from contending for Serie A, let alone the UEFA Champions League.

1. Chelsea (Premier League) - €1.23 billion

Amidst much speculation regarding their new manager, the new club owner, Todd Boehly, did not refrain from spending money. Todd has spent €600 million this season on 23 new players. Chelsea have won various trophies over the past five seasons, which also include a UEFA Champions League title.

However, the difficult part has finally arrived for the Blues. Ever since firing Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea have been in a mess. Their 12th-place finish in the Premier League shows how much work is yet to be done. The newly appointed manager, Mauricio Pochetino, has a huge array of players. The former Tottenham Hotspur manager has a lot of work to do in assembling a consistent squad of players.