The highest paid teams in global sport have been revealed, and Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain have pipped Spanish giants Real Madrid to top spot this year.
The Premier League’s top four – Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United – have all made it onto the top 10, and no surprises that the Citizens lead the way for the English clubs.
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Sporting Intelligence revealed which football clubs across the globe have the highest first-team bill. Take a look below…
8. Arsenal
Average annual first-team pay: £4,054,066
Average weekly pay: £77,963
Arsene Wenger is renown for his strict transfer policy, and unwillingness to meet the colossal wage demands of professional footballers. The Gunners have secured Champions League for another season, but, sadly, it’s hard to envisage European glory for the North London outfit unless they spend big.
7. Chelsea
Average annual first-team pay: £4,353,056
Average weekly pay: £83,713
Jose Mourinho led Chelsea to their first Premier League title in five seasons earlier this month, but it’s his exceptional transfer business since returning to West London that proves he could finally be ready to remain in the Stamford Bridge dugout for the long-run.
6. Bayern Munich
Average annual first-team pay: £4,468,643
Average weekly pay: £85,935
Pep Guardiola’s side were crowned Bundesliga champions for a third consecutive season, and despite their miserable form of late, are expected to continue their success next season.
5. Manchester United
Average annual first-team pay: £4,679,377
Average weekly pay: £89,998
The Red Devils kicked off Louis van Gaal’s first transfer window in charge by spending a whopping £150m on new signings. Despite returning to the top four and next season’s Champions League, the Premier League giants should be achieving far more.
4. Barcelona
Average annual first-team pay: £4,715,116
Average weekly pay: £90,675
The La Liga champions have climbed one place, which looks to have certainly paid off with the Champions League finalists having enjoyed a stunning season. The wages paid out to the world’s most formidable attacking trio Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi has been worth every penny this term.
3. Manchester City
Average annual first-team pay: £5,015,122
Average weekly pay: £96,445
Like PSG, the Citizens have seen their domestic success rise quickly – winning the Premier League twice since the takeover of billionaire Sheikh Mansour in 2008. However, their financial prowess is yet to pay off on the European stage.
2. Real Madrid
Average annual first-team pay: £5,040,520
Average weekly pay: £96,933
The Spanish giants have risen from fourth place to second on the list, which is unsurprising given the addition of £300,000 per-week earner Gareth Bale in the 2013-14 season, along with new signings James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos last summer.
1. Paris Saint-Germain
Average annual first-team pay: £5,298,693
Average weekly pay: £101,898
The Ligue 1 champions are definitive proof that money does buy success – and quickly. Since the takeover by oil-funded Qatar Sports Investments, Les Parisiens have gone on to dominant French football; having now claimed the title for a third consecutive season.
