Chelsea FC have emerged as the most expensively assembled squad in world football heading into the 2025/26 season, with its team built at a transfer cost exceeding €1.1 billion, according to industry estimates.
They are narrowly ahead of Manchester City FC, who also cross the €1 billion threshold, placing both Premier League giants in a category of their own when it comes to squad-building investment.
Years of aggressive recruitment and squad reshaping have pushed both clubs to the top of the global spending hierarchy.
According to a post obtained from Planet Football’s website on Saturday, these are the clubs with the most expensive net spend on players in the 2025/2026 season.
Chelsea FC – €1.18bn
