Manchester United Boasts Most Expensive Squad in European Football History

Manchester United’s roster for the 2022-23 season has officially clinched the title of the priciest squad in European football history, as per UEFA’s European Club Finance and Investment Landscape report. The squad’s combined transfer cost is staggering, reaching a monumental €1.422 billion (approximately $1.543 billion).

Highlighted in the squad are marquee signings such as Antony (€95 million), Harry Maguire (€93 million), Jadon Sancho (€85 million), and Casemiro (€82 million), symbolizing United’s formidable financial muscle in the transfer market.

Released on February 15, 2024, the report underscores United’s ascent to the top of the financial hierarchy, surpassing the previous record held by the 2020 Real Madrid squad, which boasted a total cost of €1.332 billion. Notably, the financial data for 2023 of certain prominent clubs such as Chelsea, Everton, and Leicester City was not included in the report.

Beyond the eye-popping figures, UEFA’s report also sheds light on the concerning trend of “multi-club ownership” among European football clubs, potentially posing a threat to the integrity of the game on the continent. This revelation gains significance against the backdrop of the Abu Dhabi-backed City Football Group network, with two of its teams, Manchester City and Girona, competing in the top tiers of their respective leagues among 13 clubs.

As financial dynamics continue to shape the landscape of European football, Manchester United’s record-breaking squad expenditure serves as a stark reminder of the shifting paradigms within the sport, raising questions about sustainability, competitiveness, and the evolving nature of club ownership in the modern era.