Which clubs have spent most in one transfer window in history?

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Chelsea lead way 

©TM/IMAGO

It’s been a relatively quiet January transfer window so far with clubs limited in their ability to spend by financial fair play rules. Few major clubs have completed major signings with the exception of Manchester City, who have invested heavily to back Pep Guardiola with the aim of rescuing their season after a dreadful few months.

With one week left of the transfer window, clubs will be frantically aiming to complete last minute deals and the January window traditionally heats up across the final few days. 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. 

Which clubs have spent the money in one transfer window?

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 €116m, while Roméo Lavia (€62m) and Christopher Nkunku (€60m) also joined. 

As the graphic above illustrates, Chelsea also take fifth and sixth spot on the 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.

The biggest spenders ever in one January window

As mentioned above, Chelsea’s €330m spend in January 2023 is unsurprisingly the record for a January window. Interestingly, Man City’s outlay of €152m this January takes second place with Omar Mamoush (€75m), Abdukodir Khusanov (€40m) and Vitor Reis (€37m) all joining Guardiola’s men. As the graphic below illustrates, seven clubs have spent in excess of €100m in January with Barcelona taking third spot and Chinese side Jiangsu Suning the only club from outside Europe.