Top 10 clubs that increased the overall value of their squad in the transfer market

5) Real Madrid: Increased by €286m

The Galactico policy has given Real Madrid two European titles

Expenditure: €635m

Value: €921m

Always criticised for inflating the transfer market and breaking transfer records by the half-dozen, it is safe to say that Real Madrid do know what they are doing. The club is a success both on the field and commercially. Two Champions League titles in the last three seasons underline that point.

The club is guilty of spending big but they do sell big when they get the chance too. Two of the top three world record signings Cristiano Ronaldo (£93.5m) and Gareth Bale (£76.5m) are understandably still their most valuable players. One must note that although Bale cost £86m, his market value at the time was only £55m – which shows how hard it is to bargain with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

Three other players are valued at more than £50m – James Rodriguez (£59.5m), Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos (both £51m). Other valuable players include Luka Modric (£42.5m), Alvaro Morata (£34m) and Sergio Ramos (£34m).