Uefa says Premier League clubs’ unprecedented spending is creating a “two-speed system” in European football’s transfer market, concentrating talent and purchasing power in England. The governing body warned that rising fees could increase financial pressure on clubs and leave debt-burdened teams vulnerable if transfer values or buyer demand fall.

Premier League clubs spent an estimated €4.6bn this summer, more than the next eight biggest European markets combined, with English clubs involved in over 60% of deals. They paid about €24m per incoming player, compared with €4m-€5m elsewhere, while domestic English transfers rose 44% to €1.55bn; of 35 European deals above €50m in 2026, Premier League clubs accounted for 29. Uefa also reported €6.8bn in profit from academy-player sales across Europe, as clubs increasingly use such transfers to meet financial regulations.