The riches of the Premier League has persuaded the world’s best players to
ply their trade in England – and new figures have revealed just how much clubs
pay their superstars on a weekly basis.
With record broadcast revenues and eye-watering kit deals, plus a string of
other lucrative commercial deals, top-flight clubs are richer than ever before.
That financial muscle has ultimately allowed them to spend big on wages
and, as such, help them lure players to these shores ahead of their European
rivals.
Unsurprisingly, it is Manchester City – bankrolled by Sheik Mansour’s Abu
Dhabi United Group – who sit top of the list, which has been compiled by
spotrac.com .
The reigning Premier League champions fork out around £115,000 per week on
player salaries, with £350,000-a-week Kevin De Bruyne, £300,000-a-week Raheem
Sterling and £230,000-a-week Sergio Aguero their top earners.
Despite their whopping salaries, Pep Guardiola’s title-chasers have this
week announced record revenues of £535million, which includes a profit of
£10.1m.
City are closely followed by league leaders Liverpool, whose weekly salary
is estimated to cost them around £100,000.
It’s not a huge shock that key players Mohamed Salah, who earns £200,000
per week, and £180,000-a-week defender Virgil van Dijk are among their top
three earners.
Chelsea, armed with Roman Abramovich’s billions, complete the top three as
they pay on average £95,000 a week, which is £3,000 a week more than London
rivals Arsenal.
Perhaps one of the biggest surprises in the list is the position of
Manchester United, who despite going on a £148m spending spree in the summer,
are down in fifth when it comes to wages.
Their average stands at a reported £90,000 per week, and the Red Devils
will splash out over £141million on their senior squad during the course of the
campaign – not including the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Chris Smalling,
currently out on loan.
David de Gea is United’s highest earner, having signed a deal worth
approximately £375,000-a-week, while Scott McTominay is the lowest earner, on a
reported £10,000-a-week.
As expected, the final member of the Premier League’s Big Six, Tottenham,
do indeed complete the top six in terms of salaries, too.
The north Londoners, whose owner Daniel Levy is known to be a firm
negotiator when it comes to a player’s salary – whether it be a current star or
a potential new signing – have a weekly wage bill of £72,500.
A large portion of that will go to Harry Kane and Tanguy Ndombele, who are
tied as the club’s top earners on £200,000 a week, some way ahead of
£140,000-a-week Son Heung-min, while Dele Alli, Hugo Lloris and Jan Vertonghen
take home £100,000 a week.
Elsewhere Wolves, despite having a reputation for being big spenders, are
13th the list as they spend around £36,673 on wages – which includes Portugal’s
£100,000-a-week pair Joao Moutinho and Rui Patricio.
Another shock is the fact that London pair West Ham and Crystal Palace –
who fork out £65,000 and £55,000 respectively – pay more than top-four
contenders Leicester, who seem to be getting bang for the buck by paying
£50,000.
At the bottom of the pile Sheffield United’s players – such as captain John
Egan, midfield star John Lundstram and boyhood fan striker Billy Sharp – take
home just £9,000 per week on average.
Every Premier League club’s average salary…
20. Sheffield United – £9,000
19. Norwich City – £12,000
18. Aston Villa – £25,000
17. Watford – £30,000
16. Brighton – £30,000
15. Burnley – £35,000
14. Bournemouth – £35,000
13. Wolverhampton Wanderers – £36,673
12. Newcastle – £38,000
11. Southampton – £50,000
10. Leicester City – £50,000
9. Crystal Palace – £55,000
8. West Ham – £65,000
7. Everton – £65,000
6. Tottenham – £72,500