Premier League clubs have splashed more than £1.4bn on new players this summer — outspending the other four major European leagues combined by £303m — yet Manchester United have already hit a transfer roadblock. English top-flight teams have invested £523.6m net in the window, dwarfing La Liga's net spend of £163.1m and Serie A's £124.1m, while Ligue 1 (£203.4m credit) and the Bundesliga (£72.2m credit) are actually in profit from their dealings. The gap, according to analysis of disclosed fees, may only grow wider as the backlog from a delayed World Cup kicks in.
Amid this financial firepower, Michael Carrick's United have moved to strengthen midfield by signing Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, filling gaps left by Casemiro's departure and Manuel Ugarte's injury. But their pursuit of Barcelona teenager Marc Bernal has stalled: the 19-year-old, who made 22 league appearances and earned a Spain debut last season, has shown “absolute loyalty” to his boyhood club, Mundo Deportivo reports. Bernal, under contract until 2029 with a £427m release clause, has also drawn interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, Roma and Al-Nassr, but is determined to stay.
“Premier League clubs have spent over £1.4bn this summer, outspending other top leagues combined, as Man Utd target Marc Bernal rejects approach.”
Attention now turns to outgoings. United are in talks with Juventus over Joshua Zirkzee, with the Serie A side willing to take the 25-year-old on loan with a £30m obligation to buy. Zirkzee has struggled for consistency since his 2024 move from Bologna, scoring nine goals in 75 appearances and starting just once under Carrick last season. Juventus turned to Zirkzee after failing to agree a deal for Paris Saint-Germain's Randal Kolo Muani, and the Netherlands international is reportedly keen on the move.
The Premier League's spending dominance shows no sign of easing. Aston Villa, Brighton and Tottenham have already exceeded their entire summer 2025 outlay, with Spurs' net spend of £149.7m the highest in Europe's big five leagues. Chelsea, too, have upped their investment, with Danny Welbeck emerging as a target. With the transfer window still open and the financial divide between England and the rest of Europe widening, the question is not whether United will spend more, but whether they can secure the players they actually want.