Chelsea first: The top 100 most expensive squads to assemble revealed

Purchase value 

The transfer window has been closed for top league clubs for over two weeks with managers finalising their squads until January after a hectic summer. It was a record breaking window with over €10.3 billion invested in new signings, which eclipsed the previous record of €8.86bn from the 2023/24 season.

English Premier League clubs led the way with €3.59bn spent on new arrivals while Liverpool broke the record for total spend by one club in a single window (€485m). Clubs around Europe adopt different approaches to building their squads with finances pivotal to any decisions. Some clubs prioritise the development of academy players, while others spend heavily in the transfer market. Using Transfermarkt’s reputable purchase value statistics, we’ve analysed which clubs have spent the most to build their current squads.

Which clubs have the highest purchase value of current squad?

Unsurprisingly, given their vast spending, the Premier League has the six most expensively assembled squads in the world with Chelsea in first place. The Blues’ current squad cost an eye-watering €1.18 billion to build with Enzo Fernández their record signing at €121 million. Interestingly, Chelsea’s squad is only valued at €1.08bn, which ranks just sixth in the world. Manchester City are the only other club with a squad that cost more than a billion to put together.

As the graphic above illustrates, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal complete the top five, with the Old Trafford club the only team in the top ten not to be participating in the Champions League this season. Reigning Champions League holders PSG are the top non-English side, ranking 7th with Luis Enrique’s squad costing €79m to assemble. Real Madrid are the top LaLiga entry in eighth, Juventus lead the way in Serie A in 10th with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in 13th. Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal are the only entrant from outside the top five leagues.