Fear of missing out on the English Premier League’s huge television money bonanza this year has propelled transfer spending beyond £1 billion (US$1.43 billion) for the first time.
England’s 20 elite clubs have collectively spent more than £1 billion on new players in the season’s two transfer windows, financial consultants Deloitte revealed before the mid-season transfer deadline fell on Monday.
English top-flight clubs broke new ground by shelling out £870 million on new talent in the close-season transfer window last year — a rise of 4 percent on the previous record, established the previous summer.
Together they splurged about £172 million in last month’s window, tipping Premier League spending into 10-figure territory and further confirming England’s status as soccer’s financial powerhouse, where 17 of the world’s 30 richest clubs reside, according to the latest data.
However, whereas close-season spending was driven by the leading clubs — Manchester City twice breaking their transfer record to sign Raheem Sterling (£44 million rising to £49 million) and Kevin de Bruyne (£55 million); Manchester United betting the house on unheralded French teenager Anthony Martial (£36 million rising to £61.5 million) — in January it has been a different story.
Sky and BT Sport’s blockbuster £5.14 billion domestic TV rights deal kicks in at the start of next season, with the sale of overseas rights — expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks — set to swell that figure to £8 billion for the period from this year to 2019.
It means that the cost of relegation has never been higher, and it is the clubs at the wrong end of the Premier League table who have been opening their wallets the most eagerly during the mid-season transfer period.
Newcastle United, third from bottom ahead of last night’s fixtures, have been the top spenders, parting with about £29 million to sign England pair Andros Townsend and Jonjo Shelvey, and Senegal midfielder Henri Saivet.
The Premier League’s other northeast representatives, Sunderland, have brought in five players, including a £9 million swoop for Tunisian playmaker Wahbi Khazri from Girondins de Bordeaux.
Bournemouth broke their transfer record by paying about £10 million to Wolverhampton Wanderers for former Arsenal youth-team striker Benik Afobe, while Norwich City, Swansea City and Watford have also been active.
The biggest deal of the window was Stoke City’s club-record £18.3 million capture of French midfielder Giannelli Imbula from Porto, which was confirmed shortly before the window shut.
Although surprise frontrunners Leicester City have bolstered their ranks with Ghana defender Daniel Amartey and 19-year-old English winger Demarai Gray, the big boys have kept their powder dry.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool made low-key additions, while United and City did no business of note.
In the Premier League this year, it is fear of the void, rather than the pursuit of glory, that is driving spending to new heights.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely