Burnley's five-year net spend compared to Premier League rivals
Burnley spent handsomely in the summer after returning to the Premier League, but how does that leave their five-year balance sheet?
Burnley spent €128.65m (£112.70m) in the summer to sign no fewer than 14 players following their promotion back into the Premier League.
The Clarets conceded a record-low 16 goals in the Championship last season en route to 100 points, but the English top flight is a whole different animal, and Scott Parker was well-backed in preparing his squad for the challenge. The likes of Lesley Ugochukwu, Armando Broja, Loum Tchaouna and Quilindschy Hartman were all signed for handsome fees, while Burnley managed to tempt Kyle Walker and Martin Dubravka to Turf Moor on much more favourable terms.
Of course, Burnley’s transfer spree was partially funded by the sale of James Trafford to Manchester City for €31.20m, taking their net spend for the summer to €93.65m. But how does that affect their net spend across the last five years compared to their Premier League counterparts?
Burnley’s five-year net spend compared to Premier League rivals
- Man Utd: €782.92m
- Arsenal: €772.81m
- Chelsea: €757.11m
- Tottenham Hotspur: €650.98m
- Newcastle United: €492.44m
- Liverpool: €487.85m
- Man City: €396.33m
- Nottingham Forest: €376.08m
- West Ham: €369.56m
- Bournemouth: €178.14m
- Crystal Palace: €166.91m
- Sunderland: €138.59m
- Fulham: €136.72m
- Burnley: €124.28m
- Brentford: €112.25m
- Leeds United: €86.23m
- Aston Villa: €72.52m
- Wolves: €55.94m
- Everton: €13.87m
- Brighton: €+2.61m
Championship firesales balance Burnley’s books
Burnley’s outlay this summer is actually less than they spent in the summer of 2023, when they shelled out €107.25m net in preparation for another promotion to the Premier League. However, either side of that, the Clarets have made profits of €30.45m and €55.07m, selling off valuable assets after relegation to the Championship in order to balance the books.
That’s helped Burnley spend at a sustainable yet competitive rate, with their five-year net spend of €124.28m 14th among current Premier League clubs, sandwiched between Fulham’s €136.72m and Brentford’s €112.25m splashes. Brighton are the only club to make a profit during this time, sitting €2.61m in the black after selling the likes of Joao Pedro (€63.7m), Adingra (€24.4m), Moises Caicedo (€116m) and Alexis Mac Allister (€42m).
Meanwhile, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Liverpool and Manchester City predictably make up the top seven spenders.