Premier League transfer window spending smashes the £1bn mark as money-laden clubs splash the cash ahead of deadline day
PREMIER LEAGUE clubs have finally smashed through the £1billion spending barrier this summer – and the figure could soar even higher ahead of Wednesday's deadline.
No less than 11 teams have splashed the cash on club-record signings, with Manchester United forking out an unprecedented £89m fee for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba as rivals Manchester City captured John Stones for £47.5m.
Arsenal completing the deal for centre-back Shkodran Mustafi pushed the spending officially past £1BILLION.
Crystal Palace made a sensational £32m move for Liverpool flop Christian Benteke after receiving £30m from Everton for Yannick Bolasie, while West Ham have proven to be no slouches with a £20m deal for Swansea forward Andre Ayew.
But fax machines are still ringing and medics are at the ready as the transfer window enters its final stages.
Title hopefuls Arsenal have already confirmed a surprise £17m deal for Spanish ace Lucas Perez, and Gunners fans can expect the spending to continue as a move for Valencia centre-back Shkodran Mustafi grows closer.
Arsene Wenger is also reportedly lining up an £11m move for attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron to make it a hat-trick of late signings, but London rivals Chelsea are also looking to conclude deals too.
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A £24m bid for Fiorentina left-back Marcos Alonso is in the works after Antonio Conte sent Baba Rahman to Schalke for a season-long loan.
And there could also be a new striker at Stamford Bridge after Loic Remy was shipped off to Palace for the new campaign.
Meanwhile, United’s spending looks set to rise as Jose Mourinho hunts one last signing for his Old Trafford revolution.
Monaco’s versatile full-back Fabinho might have snubbed a lucrative move to the Theatre of Dreams, but fans could yet see a new defender arrive in the shape of Southampton skipper Jose Fonte.