Look who’s back: David Luiz return to Chelsea caps a frenzied summer of Premier League spending

English clubs swell the bank accounts of continental rivals in a summer of record-breaking spending that ended on Wednesday with the biggest shock of the transfer window

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David Luiz has completed a £30 million return to Chelsea two years after leaving. Photo: AP

Published: 10:07am, 1 Sep 2016

English Premier League clubs swelled the bank accounts of continental rivals in a summer of record-breaking spending that ended on Wednesday with the biggest shock of the transfer window: David Luiz’s return to Chelsea.

The flamboyant Brazilian is back at Stamford Bridge after two years at Paris Saint-Germain to reinforce Chelsea’s defence under new manager Antonio Conte. While Chelsea sold the 29-year-old for around £50 million (HK$509.3 million), the London club has re-signed him on a three-year contract for about £20 million less.

That’s also far lower than what was spent on the summer transfer window’s biggest reunion. Italian champions Juventus banked a world-record €105 million (HK$908.7 million) from Manchester United for midfielder Paul Pogba’s return to Old Trafford.

French midfielder Paul Pogba was another star name who returned to an old stomping ground after signing for Manchester United for €105 million. Photo: Reuters

United were one of 13 Premier League sides to break their club records for spending on a single player since the end of last season. The 20 top-flight clubs collectively spent nearly £1.2 billion on talent in the summer, breaking the billion-pound barrier for the first time in a transfer window as they benefit from new television deals.

Over the next three years, the Premier League will make £8.3 billion pounds from broadcasters eager to televise the most unpredictable of Europe’s top leagues – a bonanza that has swelled thanks to a 70 per cent upsurge in the value of domestic rights.