Manchester United Top List Of Most Expensive Squads In World Soccer With Al-Hilal Ahead Of Barcelona

A study by the CIES Football Observatory has found that the most expensive squad in world soccer belongs to Manchester United. Chelsea are second on the list.

A report by the CIES Football Observatory has found that the most expensive squad in world soccer belongs to Manchester United.

The report added up the transfer fees that each of the world's top 100 clubs had paid for all of the players currently in their squad for the 2023/24 season, including any potential add-ons.

According to CIES, United's current pool of players cost €1.15 billion - with €61m spent on goalkeepers, €383m on defenders, €296m on midfielders and €411m on forwards.

Manchester United's current squad is the most expensive in world soccer :: IMAGO/Sportimage/Andrew Yates

Chelsea (€1.134 billion) and Manchester City (€1.042 billion) are second and third on the list.

The most expensively-compiled squad outside of the Premier League belongs to Paris Saint-Germain, who reportedly spent precisely €1 billion to build the class of 2023/24.

Arsenal (€836m), Tottenham (€829m), Liverpool (€770m), Real Madrid (€708m), Newcastle (€661m) and West Ham (€505m) complete the top 10.

Barcelona are way down in 19th place, having spent just €375m on transfer fees to build Xavi Hernandez's current squad.

Barca's squad cost €7m less than that of Al-Hilal, who splashed out on the likes of Neymar, Malcom, Ruben Neves, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Kalidou Koulibaly and Yassine Bounou this summer.

Al-Hilal (€382m) are the only non-European club in the top 43, with fellow Saudi Pro League sides Al-Ahli (€191m) and Al Nassr (€187m) 44th and 46th.

Top 30 Most Expensive Squads In World Soccer (2023/24 Season)

1. Manchester United - €1.15 billion
2. Chelsea - €1.134 billion
3. Manchester City - €1.042 billion
4. Paris Saint-Germain - €1 billion
5. Arsenal - €836 million
6. Tottenham Hotspur - €829 million
7. Liverpool - €770 million
8. Real Madrid - €708 million
9. Newcastle United - €661 million
10. West Ham United - €505 million
11. Aston Villa - €486 million
12. Bayern Munich - €481 million
13. Juventus - €473 million
14. Everton - €418 million
15. RB Leipzig - €399 million
16. Napoli - €392 million
17. Atletico Madrid - €387 million
18. Al-Hilal - €382 million
19. Barcelona - €375 million
20. Nottingham Forest - €365 million
21. Monaco - €364 million
22. Wolves - €363 million
23. Borussia Dortmund - €348 million
24. Bournemouth - €344 million
25. AC Milan - €332 million
26. Leicester City - €281 million
27. Bayer Leverkusen - €275 million
28. Crystal Palace - €274 million
29. Inter Milan - €255 million
30. Fulham - €245 million