10 biggest spenders in the summer transfer window so far

European clubs have been splashing the cash in the transfer market in recent times, withsuperpower clubs from the top European leagues competing with each other to reach new levels of expediture. Sam Allardyce, then the manager of West Ham United, once came up with this piece of dogmatism Where you actually finish in the league depends on the money youve spent...Its a statistical fact, that.While this might not be completely true, there is a sad bit of reality in the statement. Consider this list of the sixhighest spending clubs in the last fivetransfer windows 1. PSG 294 million2. Manchester United 207 million3. Barcelona 194 million4. Chelsea 172 million5. Real Madrid 158 million6. Manchester City 134 millionQuitea quantumleap from the first three-digit transfer fee in 1893, when Scottish forward Willie Groves moved from West Bromwich Albion to Aston Villa for125which created a fair bit of sensation back in the day.PSG have seen a meteoric rise in their European stock in the last couple of years, and the other four clubs in the list have been the most consistent top-of-the-table teams in the recent past. Manchester Uniteds presence at 2ndspot is a bit of an anomaly, but then these are some of the most trying times seen at that prestigous old club.As a Pink Floyd song goes, Money, its a gas/ Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash/ New car, caviar, four star daydream/ Think Ill buy me a football team.With 10 days remaining in the ongoing transfer window, this is a look at the 10 clubs which have been the most spendthrift this summer.

#1 Barcelona - 153 million

It has been a busy summer in Catalonia. With Puyol retiring and Victor Valdes’s contract having run out, and Alexis Sanchez and Cesc Fabregas’s transfers to London, Barcelona have thought it prudent to break through the roof with spendings.

Their most expensive buy has been a forward – the biggest transfer of this summer, Luis Suarez (€81 million) from Liverpool. Ivan Rakitic (€18 million from Sevilla) and Thomas Vermaelen (€19 million from Arsenal) have been brought in as replacements in the midfield and defence. Valencia’s left back Jeremy Mathieu’s (€20 million) arrival suggests the focus has been on shoring up the defence, which looked fragile on occasion in the last two years.

Young German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen (€12 million from Borussia Mönchengladbach) has been brought to compete with World Cup star Claudio Bravo (€12 million from Real Sociedad) for the no 1 goalkeeper’s position.

#2 Liverpool - 131 million

Liverpool have let go of their star striker Luis Suarez, but have made sure to capitalize on the windfall and go well beyond, to keep competing at the levels they did last season. As a result, they are the only team among the biggest spenders who are not from Spain.

Southampton has been their favourite raiding spot – The sales of attacking players Adam Lallana (€32 million), Rickie Lambert (€5 million) and central defender Dejan Lovren (€25 million) have given Southampton a hefty sum in return. Liverpool will return to the Champions League after a five-year hiatus, and have decided to get more options for different positions as well.

Divock Origi (€12.5 million from Lille) is a promising striker and Lazar Markovic (€25 million from Benfica) is an accomplished winger who can play on both flanks. Right back Javier Manquillo, left back Alberto Moreno (€15 million) from Sevilla and defensive midfielder Emre Can (€12 million) from Bayer Leverkusn complete their list of signings.

With the reported capture of Mario Balotelli on the cards, Liverpool have sure gone out and spent their money to increase the squad depth.

#3 Real Madrid - 120 million

Real Madrid are the current European champions, and have a well-balanced team compared to their main rivals Barcelona. Getting big players onto their roster has become a sort of tradition at the Madrid club, and a transfer window feels incomplete without some sensational moves to the Bernebeau.

Six year deals have been signed with orchestrators James Rodriguez (€80 million from Monaco) and Toni Kroos (€30 million from Bayern Munich), and goalkeeper Keylor Navas (€10 million from Levante), the Costa Rican shot-stopper who shone at the World Cup. All three of them have made the move knowing they have to earn their places in the team and to then fight for them on a regular basis.

#4 Atletico Madrid - 101.5 million

There has been a lot of activity around the Vicente Calderon as well. Club legend David Villa’s contract has run out and Diego Costa, Filipe Luis and Thibaut Courtouis have all headed to Chelsea. Some of their significant signings have been mentioned here.

Three forwards have been bought as cover for Villa and Costa – two 23-year-olds in Antoine Griezmann (€30 million from Real Sociedad) and Raul Jimenez (€10.5 million from Club America), and the experienced Mario Mandzukic (€22million from Bayern Munich). 21-year-old Slovenian Jan Oblak (€16 million) has been bought from Benfica and will possibly be thrown into the position vacated by Courtouis’ departure.

#5 Chelsea - 93.5 million

Frank Lampard’s departure from Stamford Bridge signals the end of an era at Chelsea, and he is not the only significant departure either. Ashley Cole and Samuel Eto’o have left as well, not to mention the high-profile transfers away from London of Romelu Lukaku and David Luiz.

Filipe Luis (€20 million) and Diego Costa (€40 million) have come from Atletico Madrid to complement the defence and attack respectively. Cesc Fabregas (€34 million) has been a surprise arrival from Barcelona and will be a valuable addition to a midfield already abound with talent.

#6 Arsenal - 77 million

Thomas Vermaelen has left for Barcelona, leaving a gap in the Arsenal defence. The Gunners’s finances, however, look to be in the best state they’ve been for in years, and they have done enough in the transfer market to plug many holes.

Alexis Sanchez (€37.5 million from Barcelona) has already sparkled on debut for them. Callum Chambers (€14 million from Southampton) and Mathieu Debuchy (€15 million from Newcastle United) have proved to be able replacements in the backline as well. Arsenal still need a capable hitman up front to combine with the attacking midfielders and provide the finishing touches, and might be moving further up on this ranking soon.

#7 Manchester United - 73.5 million

Manchester United are a club in deep trouble, and have been desperate to bring in new players, perhaps even guilty of spending more money than the incoming players warranted. Their defence wears a new look this season after all of their senior defenders – Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra – were either released or sold for minimal fees.

The focus at Old Trafford has been on defensive stability, as seen by the arrivals of defenders Luke Shaw (€34 million from Southampton) and Marcos Rojo (€20 million from Sporting Lisbon). They looked lost at the centre of the pitch on several occasions last season, and have brought in Ander Herrera (€36 million from Athletic Bilbao) to help them out.

United had vowed to go all out in this transfer window, but further signings have been beset with complications. It seems as if Old Trafford is not the dream destination for players like it used to be.

#8 Manchester City - 65.5 million

Manchester City have done a fine job of holding on to their crop of successful players, only letting midfielders Javi Garcia and Jack Rodwell leave as they were considered surplus to requirements.

The Brazilian defensive midfielder Fernando (€15 million from Porto) has been introduced into the midfield, but their biggest buy has been a central defender from the same Portuguese club, to partner captain Vincent Kompany – Eliaquim Mangala (€40 million). Demichelis was often seen last season playing in both positions, and will probably be left out in favour of the latest arrivals.

#9 Southampton - 55 million

There has been an exodus from St.Mary’s with almost all of their top performers from last season departing for the bigger English clubs. There has been a massive inflow of money into the club’s coffers as a result, but there have not been many arrivals of similar stature.

A lot of money has been spent by the Saints though, the most of it questionably to get goalkeeper Fraser Forster (€12.5 million from Celtic). Dusan Tadic (€14 million from FC Twente), known as ‘The Serbian Xavi’ for his flamboyant dribbling skills, has been brought to replicate Adam Lallana’s heroics from last season. Striker Graziano Pelle (undisclosed, from Feyenoord) and Florin Gardos (€7.5 million from Steaua Bucharest) are the others who are sure to feature in the current season.

#10 PSG - 49.5 million

The Paris outfit have regularly been spending big in the transfer market following the 2011 takeover of the club by a Qatari business magnate. As a result, they have a balanced side by now, with great players available for every position.

David Luiz (€50 million from Chelsea) has been the biggest PSG move this summer, the defender will be welcomed as defensive partner by club captain Thiago Silva. The two are known to be fast friends off the field as well, apart from being the chosen central defensive duo to represent Brazil. Upcoming right back Serge Aurier (on loan from Toulouse) is the other buy the Paris side have made.