Top 10 clubs with most negative net transfer spending in last decade

A list full of clubs with negative net transfer spending

Widely touted as the richest league on the planet, Premier League teams truly cover the top 10 when it comes to negative transfer balances since 2014. Seven out of the top 10 clubs come from England's top flight.

Apart from the Premier League clubs, three clubs that make the list are Ligue 1, LaLiga, and Serie A. The amount of transfer fees spent by clubs around the world in the calendar year 2023 is already 25% higher than the previous global record, set in 2019. Premier League and Saudi Pro League clubs have spent the most in this year's summer transfer window with Saudi looking to add on some big names like Salah from Liverpool and Demarai Gray from Everton.

Here's the list of clubs with negative transfer spending:

10. West Ham United (England) - €526M

West Ham have been one of the biggest spenders in the Premier League in recent years, making them the fifth-highest spenders in the league. Since 2014, they have signed some major players to help their squad and they were successful in doing that last season when they finished the season with a UEFA Europa Conference title. In 2022-23, Lucas Paqueta became the club's most expensive signing.

9. AC Milan (Italy) - €545M

AC Milan have negative spending of €545 million since 2014, making them the only Serie A club with the biggest negative transfer spend in the world in this duration of time. AC Milan's negative spending is largely due to the high fees they paid for players such as Krzysztof Piatek, Lucas Biglia, and Tiemoué Bakayoko. However, they have done some great selling of players recently and with new ownership, it is likely that their spending will be positive in the coming years.

8. Tottenham Hotspur (England) - €609M

Daniel Levy has admitted that the club has made transfer mistakes which are still impacting the club despite a growing financial position. But their time in the UEFA competitions has seen their UEFA prize money fall, due to covid they lost most of their revenue and signed some big players like Ndombele and Richarlison in the past decade which has led to negative spending for the club.

7. FC Barcelona (Spain) - €663M

In recent years, Barcelona have suffered the most with financial problems. This year's summer transfer window was different for Barcelona, they have actually signed players at positions where Xavi was facing problems. Cancelo and Felix have been signed on loan due to the conditions at the club, they took a pay cut as well. Even Messi couldn't join Barcelona after his PSG departure because of FFP.

6. Newcastle United (England) - €671M

It is no secret that Newcastle United are now spending money in the transfer market. After so many years under Mike Ashley, they have started to spend wisely. Joe Willock was the last signed under Mike Ashley, however, €527M out of €671M spent on signings has been done in the last four to five years under the new ownership of the Saudis. Newcastle is finally spending money wisely, this has led them to a Champions League group stage spot this season.

5. Manchester City (England) - €856M

The Premier League champions have been accused of financial breaching, Last season they were concerned about City missing the Champions League because of the situation revolving around Pep and Manchester City. They are known for signing world-class players under their current manager. City have spent less than the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, yet they have been dominating the Premier League for consecutive years now.

4. Arsenal FC (England) - €872M

Arsenal have been the Premier League’s fifth-biggest spenders over the last decade, but unlike the top three clubs in the list, they’re yet to break the 1 billion barrier. Arsenal signed Declan Rice for more than 100m in this transfer window and some of their marquee signings include Havertz, Timber, Partey, Ozil and Aubameyang. 100m is occupied by Declan Rice's signing, he is also the most expensive player in the club's history.

3. Paris St-Germain (France) - €1,010M

PSG's negative spending is largely due to the high fees they paid for players such as Neymar (€222 million), Kylian Mbappe (€180 million), and Lionel Messi (€250 million). More money going out and less money coming in has always been an issue for the club. The only French club in the club has more spending than half of the Premier League clubs combined.

2. Chelsea FC (England) - €1,033M

Chelsea has the most negative balances in the post-COVID period (-€993 million) and the calendar year 2023 (-€558 million). Todd Boehly has signed some emerging youngsters since his takeover and has spent the most on signings since his arrival. The British record signing of Moises Caicedo from Brighton was the latest addition to the expensive signings made under Pochettino.

1. Manchester United (England) - €1,396M

All 10 of the biggest signings in United's history have arrived since 2014, they bought in players for huge amounts without being able to sell them for profit. Manchester United are the only club in this list from the Premier League to have such an amount of spending. Things are even worse, they lost around 550M on the New York Stock Exchange and the owners, Glazers, are still not ready to sell the club. It is very evident that post Ferguson period things are not going in the favour of the Red Devils.