Fans’ return and new broadcast deals driving high levels of summer spending

Zal Udwadia, assistant director in Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, expects more to follow as new broadcast deals and the lessening financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic boost teams’ financial confidence.

Erling Haaland, left, and Darwin Nunez are two of this summer’s high-profile arrivals (Martin Rickett/Peter Byrne/PA)

Transfer spending in the Premier League this summer is three times higher than at the same stage last year, according to a leading industry analyst.

Early high-profile deals in the current window have seen Manchester City sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland and Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips, with Raheem Sterling moving on to Chelsea, while Liverpool have brought in forward Darwin Nunez.