Premier League clubs committed a total of £1.652 billion on new players and £680 million net by the end of July 2026, with overall spending down roughly £200 million compared to the same point last year, according to data cited by The Athletic. Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City lead the division in nine-figure net spend totals as the summer transfer window enters its final month.
Premier League Net Spend and Summer Market Trends
English top-flight spending continues to outpace all international competitors despite a year-on-year contraction, according to Transfermarkt figures reported by The Athletic. Thirteen of the 20 Premier League clubs currently sit in a net-spend position. Chelsea registered a £217 million net spend following the £52 million acquisition of Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace, operating under a UEFA settlement agreement and without Champions League revenue.
Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest rank as the division’s largest net sellers following high-profile moves, while Crystal Palace and Sunderland remain the only two clubs yet to record a transfer fee expenditure. Gross sales across the division reached £972 million, marking an increase over the previous summer.
Tottenham Hotspur Target Attacking Additions Before September Deadline
Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi stated ahead of a pre-season friendly against Chelsea that he hopes to secure “two, maybe three” more players before the September 1 window closes. Spurs have maintained contact with Manchester City regarding winger Savinho, though City want a replacement signed first, according to reporting by The Athletic.
Tottenham also registered interest in Liverpool midfielder Cody Gakpo through his representatives. According to The Athletic, Liverpool have no intention of selling Gakpo and value him relative to recent moves such as Elliot Anderson joining Manchester City and Morgan Rogers moving to Chelsea. Additionally, Spurs have explored moves for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Jean-Matteo Bahoya and Milan forward Rafael Leao, though neither constitutes an active club-to-club priority.
Arsenal Target Bruno Guimaraes and Vinicius Junior
Arsenal are pursuing Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior as top targets for their midfield and attack, according to sources at both Arsenal and Newcastle cited by The Athletic. Guimaraes traveled to Spain to join Newcastle’s training camp, with sources indicating the transfer may be entering its final stage.
Arsenal’s pursuit of Vinicius Junior depends on the outcome of his contract renewal talks with Real Madrid. The 26-year-old returned to training after his post-World Cup holiday.
Chelsea Add Lacroix, Welbeck, Barco and Henderson
Mykhailo Mudryk also rejoined the squad in Hong Kong following the resolution of his Football Association doping case.
The Football Association additionally fined Chelsea £10 million and issued a suspended two-window transfer ban for historical rule breaches between 2011 and 2018.
Liverpool Prepare Approach for Bradley Barcola
Frequently Asked Questions
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When does the 2026 summer transfer window close?
The Premier League transfer window closes on September 1, 2026.
Vinicius Junior to stay at Real Madrid & Yan Diomande Transfer Update -
What is Chelsea’s net spend for the summer?
Chelsea’s net spend reached £217 million following the acquisition of Maxence Lacroix, according to data reported by The Athletic.
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Where is Mykhailo Mudryk playing?
Mudryk traveled with Chelsea to Hong Kong after the Football Association resolved his doping case, leaving his long-term squad status open to loans or permanent transfer decisions, according to The Athletic.
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