Manchester United completed the summer transfer window without a major late signing, with their total expenditure ending below that of newly promoted Ipswich as they prepare for a return to the Champions League.
The club’s biggest outlay came last week when Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo joined for an initial fee of £65m. The deal could eventually rise to £70m.
Manchester United focused much of their business on strengthening midfield. Andre Onana arrived from Inter for £48m, with potential add-ons taking the fee to £50m, while Youri Tielemans moved from Aston Villa in a deal worth £35m.
Their activity in other areas was more limited. Altay Bayındır joined on a free transfer to provide competition and cover for Onana, while the club paid Tottenham £4m for teenage winger Arnaldo Tavares Sanches. That transfer could rise to £8m.
Those deals bring Manchester United’s declared summer spending to £152m. The fee for Jonny Evans was not disclosed, and the club also remain liable for compensation payments to other clubs for player development.
A late move for Manchester City full-back Elvio Sousa was considered but could not be completed. The player’s agent informed Manchester United that he might be available, but the proposed deal broke down because Manchester United wanted a season-long loan and Manchester City sought to include a mandatory purchase clause.
As a result, Manchester United’s spending was modest compared with that of several Premier League rivals.
Manchester City were the division’s biggest spenders, committing £454.2m during the window. Their business included the deadline-day signing of Enzo Fernandez for £125m, as well as the £60m arrival of Ismael Benitez, a fee that could increase to £65m. The combined cost of those two deals on the final day alone exceeded Manchester United’s total summer expenditure.
Tottenham spent £386.5m as they attempted to return to the Champions League, while Liverpool invested £247.5m, with much of that amount going towards the signing of Paris St-Germain striker Ousmane Dembele.
Arsenal, the reigning Premier League champions, spent £198.5m. Aston Villa, Chelsea and Newcastle also exceeded Manchester United’s outlay, with spending of £290.8m, £280.8m and £273.7m respectively.
The most notable comparison for Manchester United, however, is with Ipswich. The newly promoted club spent £171m on new players as they seek to establish themselves in the Premier League this season.
Manchester United can still add to their squad, but only free agents are available to them until the transfer window reopens on 1 January 2025.
The club’s relatively quiet window comes as they prepare for a return to the Champions League, but their spending has been eclipsed not only by the Premier League’s leading clubs but also by Ipswich, who were promoted ahead of the new campaign.
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