Official list of the biggest-spending football clubs in the last decade emerges and there's a clear winner

A list ranking the biggest spending football clubs over the last decade has emerged.

The transfer window is one of the most exciting periods of the season as teams from around the globe look to improve their playing squads.

Over the years, teams have spent a huge amount of money in a bid to compete for the big trophies.

In the Premier League, clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester United have splashed the cash in recent seasons.

For example, Chelsea brought in the likes of Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Filip Jorgensen, Omari Kellyman, Mike Penders, Aaron Anselmino, Renato Veiga, Caleb Wiley, Marc Guiu, Jadon Sancho and Tosin Adarabioyo during a busy transfer window.

However, in recent windows, the rise of the Saudi Pro League meant that European clubs are no longer the biggest financial powerhouses.

Big names such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Roberto Firmino, Neymar and Riyad Mahrez have all been tempted by the big-money contracts presented to them by Saudi Arabian clubs.

The biggest spending club over the last decade revealed

CIES, the Football Observatory, revealed the biggest spending clubs over the last decade back in September 2024.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Premier League side Chelsea ranked top of the pile having spent €2.78 billion since 2015.

Quite a way behind Chelsea were reigning English champions Manchester City, who have a total spending of €1.96 billion.

Another English side, in the shape of United, rounded off the top three with a spending of €1.95 billion.

Other Premier League teams include Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Liverpool, West Ham United, Aston Villa, Everton and Newcastle United.

Away from the English top flight, the likes of Paris Saint Germain, Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich all made the list.

List of biggest spending clubs over the last decade. Image: CIES

Here are the top 20 biggest spending clubs over the last decade:

1. Chelsea - €2.78 billion
2. Manchester City - €1.96 billion
3. Manchester United - €1.95 billion
4. Paris Saint Germain - €1.90 billion
5. Juventus - €1.77 billion
6. Barcelona - €1.67 billion
7. Tottenham Hotspur - €1.41 billion
8. Arsenal - €1.40 billion
9. Atletico Madrid - €1.24 billion
10. Liverpool - €1.24 billion
11. Bayern Munich - €1.20 billion
12. Real Madrid - €1.16 billion
13. West Ham United - €1.10 billion
14. AC Milan - €1.07 billion
15. Inter Milan - €1.07 billion
16. Aston Villa - €1.04 billion
17. Everton - €1.03 billion
18. AS Monaco - €1.02 billion
19. Newcastle United - €1.01 billion
20. SSC Napoli - €1 billion