Chelsea feature three times in top ten – Which clubs have spent most in one transfer window?

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€464m record spend 

It was an incredibly quiet January transfer window as clubs were limited by financial fair play rules but planning was undertaken ahead of the summer market. Clubs across Europe, however, have already been busy bolstering their squads with the start of next season on the horizon. 

English Premier League clubs alone have spent in excess of €1 billion with over a month still remaining in the window. Aston Villa have been the biggest spenders with an outlay of €176 million as they prepare for their return to the Champions League. Premier League clubs are renowned for their expansive spending but which clubs across the world have spent the most money in one transfer window? Let’s find out. 

Chelsea have become notorious for their lavish spending since Clearlake Capital, fronted by Todd Boehly, completed their takeover of the club. The Stamford Bridge side weren’t afraid to get their checkbook out under Roman Abramovich but they surpassed their previous record spent in one window under Boehly’s stewardship. Chelsea feature three times in this top ten list but their €464m spend in the summer window of the 2023/34 campaign takes top spot. Moisés Caicedo was the most expensive arrival at €166m, while Roméo Lavia (€62m) and Christopher Nkunku (€60m) also joined. 

As the graphic above illustrates, Chelsea also take fifth and sixth spot on their list with their €330m outlay in January 2023 the only time a club’s spending in the winter window features in the top ten list. Al-Hilal ranks second after spending €353m last summer with Neymar the headline arrival at €90m. The top three highest totals spent by clubs in one window all arrived last summer with PSG ranking third after splurging €350m – Randal Kolo Muani was the most expensive signing from Frankfurt at €95m. Real Madrid feature twice on the list – 2019/20 and 2009/10 – while Juventus’ purchase of Cristiano Ronaldo from the Spanish giants for €117m in 2018 means they are the sole Italian club to feature in the top ten.