Player transfer spending by English Premier League clubs in the transfer window that closed on Friday hit £490m (€617m), marginally up from the £485m(€610m) spent in summer 2011 but just short of the £500m(€623m) record of 2008, according to analysis by the business advisory firm Deloitte.
The figures showed a dip in transfer spending between clubs in the Barclays sponsored top flight of English soccer. There is a significant increase of almost 50% to £300m (€378m) on fees paid to overseas clubs.  This is the largest amount ever paid in a window to clubs outside of England and is six times the amount ploughed back through transfers to the lower leagues in England.
Compared to the top leagues in other countries, the Premier League generates significantly more revenue and this increase in transfer fees serves to redistribute significant financial value to overseas clubs through the player transfer market. Clubs in Germany, France and Holland have particularly benefitted this summer.
Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United have each spent in excess of £30m (€35m) and together represent 55% of the total money spent across all 20 clubs.
“While the total spending this summer is still high, it should be considered in the context of increases of over 70% in the Premier League domestic broadcast deals announced earlier this year,” said Alan Switzer, Director in the Deloitte Sports Business Group.  “Once overseas broadcast deals are factored in, the average Premier League club looks set to benefit from at least an additional £25m (€28m) of revenue per year from next season.”
Since the introduction of the transfer window system, gross player transfer spending has exceeded £4.6bn (€5.7bn), with 80% of this being spent in summer transfer windows.
Pierce Sweeney from Bray Wanderers to Reading and Paul Corry from UCD to Sheffield Wednesday were the principal deals out of the Airtricity Premier League.  No fee was disclosed for either deal.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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