Manchester United are the biggest transfer payer in Europe, after offering much more money for player acquisitions than their so-called market value over the past 10 years, according to a survey by the Swiss football observatory CIES Football Observatory.

Between 2012 and 2021, United paid around €238m more than the market value of the 33 players whose transfers came under the CIES microscope. Thus, against €1.36 billion, which was the total estimated value of players such as Paul Pogba, Angel di Maria and Harry Maguire, the Red Devils have paid €1.59 billion since July 2012, i.e. 18% more .

The top three in Europe… are rounded out with open arms by Juventus, who donated a cap of €233m, but with an impressive percentage of 29% above the estimated value of the players they extracted, and Paris Saint-Germain, who spent 19% more than the cost transferred players, i.e. 162 million euros. This means that United, Juventus and PSG bear the main responsibility for the inflationary phenomena that the transfer market in Europe constantly represents.

On the other hand, there are bargain hunters. It seems that the Spaniards … authorities in this matter. First up is Atlético Madrid, who paid €593m for players with an estimated total cost of €675m, down €82m. They are followed by Barcelona (-47m euros) and Sevilla (-44m euros).