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Spending on agents up

A total of £272 million was handed over to agents by the Premier League’s 20 clubs during a 12-month period from February 1, 2020, £9 million up on the previous season and £12 million more than in 2018-19. The numbers keep on climbing for an industry “only” able to command £211 million back in 2017-18.

Chelsea spent £35 million, Manchester City £30 million, Manchester United £29 million, Liverpool £21 million, Arsenal and Tottenham both £16 million. Even Newcastle United, a club fearing relegation to the Championship, had an outlay of £11 million.

For every £10 that comes into a Premier League club through central funding, £1 effectively goes to those who look after the club’s players.

A total spend of £41 million in the Championship included close to £7 million spent by Norwich and £5.6 million from Bournemouth, two relegated clubs eager to find an instant return to the Premier League. Stoke City, meanwhile, managed to hand over £3 million to agents, a figure greater than all of the 24 League One clubs combined.

Intermediaries in any market are never popular, but they are usually there because they perform a function.

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