Wednesday briefing: Record €4.1 billion summer sees Premier League outspend Big Five rivals combined

The summer transfer window for Europe's top five leagues closed yesterday, and the Premier League has once again finished far ahead of the rest in terms of spending. Where England's top flight last summer spent roughly the same as its four rivals combined, that gap has now opened up considerably.

Premier League clubs committed around €4.1 billion, a new all-time record and an increase on last summer's €3.61 billion. Serie A ranks second with €1.16 billion, followed by the Bundesliga at