There are five sides from England in the top 10 teams.
It’s a well known fact that football clubs pay their players astronomical wages to play for them, but it isn’t always clear which side is actually forking out the most.
So here is a list of the 10 highest paying teams in world football, with statistics courtesy of ESPN.
10. AS Roma – £73,838,418 a year.
Propping up the list are these Italian giants, who have enjoyed a good year and could well be returning to the Champions League next season.
These outgoings are a significant increase from the 2013 after the arrival of high profile names such as Mehdi Benatia, Kevin Strootman and Adem Ljajic.
9. Liverpool – £77,332,127 a year
Their Premier League title challenge this campaign makes this outgoing perhaps seem more worthwhile, with big earners such as captain Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez among the best paid in England.
With an imminent return to the Champions League next season this total could well rise as more high profile names arrive at Anfield.
Read more Liverpool news here!
8. Arsenal – £88,649,595 a year
Despite a relatively sound wage policy at the Emirates Stadium, the presence of high profile stars in north London – particularity club record signing Mesut Ozil – means large outgoing payments are inevitable.
However, if the Gunners do miss out on Champions League qualification next year as Everton close in on fourth spot, there may well be a rethink at the club.
Read more Arsenal news here!
7. Juventus – £89,383,348 a year
Like their national counterparts Roma, the Serie A champions have also seen their wage bill rise significantly since 2013 after bringing in established talent.
Signing big earners such as Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente was meant to help their European credentials, although as yet that hasn’t proven satisfactory.
6. Chelsea – £90,526,512 a year
The Blues’ wages are actually slightly down on last year and with big earners such as Eden Hazard, Fernando Torres and John Terry at Stamford Bridge, it may be a surprise the club aren’t higher.
However, the west Londoners are extremely aware of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rule looming and are looking to adjust things accordingly.
Read more Chelsea news here!
5. Manchester United – £98,199,220 a year
The plight of the English champions this term under David Moyes may make this sum seem all the more ridiculous, with the Red Devils likely to struggle to even make the Europa League.
However, with Wayne Rooney now the highest paid player in the division on £300,000-a-week and Robin van Persie and Juan Mata – among others – also extremely well paid it’s little wonder.
Read more Man United news here!
4. Bayern Munich – £104,032,890 a year
When looking at their financial superiority over the rest of the Bundesliga it probably should come as little surprise that Bayern are so dominant currently.
With the ability to buy the best players from their closest rivals Borussia Dortmund (Mario Goetze and Robert Lewandowski) and offer them superior wages, the German champions have a monopoly on the league.
3. Real Madrid – £113,447,211 a year
Like Bayern in Germany there is also a huge gap between the financial resources of Madrid and Barca and the rest of La Liga – which would make Atletico Madrid winning the title that bit more impressive.
With a ‘galaticos’ policy at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu and the highest paid played in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo, on their books Los Blancos are always going to be among the biggest spenders.
2. Barcelona – £115,809,729 a year
Despite often being praised for developing talent from their academy, Barca’s recent transfer ban for illegally acquiring young players shows that their dealings are not all that honourable.
Plus the Catalans also fork out the second most in the whole of the sport on their wages, with four-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi currently eyeing up a similar wage to that of Ronaldo to boot.
1. Manchester City – £121,275,226 a year
Yet right at the top of the pile are Qatari owned City, who since being bought by Sheikh Mansour in 2008 have risen up the ranks of the top clubs in the world.
With huge wages paid to David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure coupled with over the top fees for some average players, the Citizens are the kings of spending big.
Find out who are the richest footballers in the Premier League here.