5 highest spending Premier League clubs since 2000

#3 Manchester United - €2.02 billion

Manchester United have broken the bank to sign players in the last decade.

Manchester United are the most successful team in the Premier League era. The 13-time Premier League champions had a challenging but often successful period till 2013. Since Alex Ferguson’s departure, they have struggled to compete with the top teams in the league.

The Scottish manager didn’t have to spend huge sums of money to compete, as many quality players came through their academy. Most of their €2.02 billion expenditure since 2000 have come after Ferguson's retirement. Although Manchester United have splashed the cash in the last decade, the Premier League title has eluded them.

Unlike Chelsea and Manchester City, clubs that have also spent over €2 billion in the 21st century, the Red Devils haven’t spent money judiciously. Costly acquisitions like Romelu Lukaku, Angel Di Maria, and to some extent even Paul Pogba and Harry Maguire, have left a sour taste in the mouths of the United faithful.

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#2 Manchester City - €2.35 billion

Jack Grealish is the all-time record signing in Premier League history.

Manchester City have been a major spending force in the Premier League since Sheikh Mansour’s takeover in 2008. The Cityzens won their first Premier League title in 2011-12.

They have been the most successful side in England since then, winning five of the last ten league titles on offer. This season, they are on course to win their fourth Premier League title in five years.

Moreover, a plethora of domestic cups have been added to their trophy cabinet at the Etihad Stadium in the last decade. However, the UEFA Champions League remains conspicuous by its absence in the Sky Blues' cabinet. Overall, Manchester City have spent their money to good effect.

While it comes as no surprise that their success is built on the back of a rich owner, one has to credit the club for using their money sensibly. Only one Manchester City player features in the list of ten most expensive signings in the Premier League. City have rarely signed any expensive player who has flopped.

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#1 Chelsea - €2.44 billion

Chelsea's academy has saved them a lot of transfer money.

Chelsea have spent €2.44 billion in the last 22 years, narrowly outspending Manchester City. The Londoners were taken over by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich in 2003. Since then, they have been a force to reckon with both domestically and in the continent.

The Blues have won five Premier League titles, six FA Cups and three League Cups since 2000. Chelsea have been victorious in the UEFA Champions League twice, equalling Liverpool’s tally of triumphs in the competition in the 21st century among English clubs.

The frequent sacking and hiring of managers at Stamford Bridge, though, has had its pros and cons. Nevertheless, Chelsea fans will be pleased with the amount of silverware they have managed to get their hands on. Recently, they added the FIFA Club World Cup to their cabinet, and could add the Carabao Cup to that on Sunday.