The Premier League is not only the most-watched football league in the world — it’s also home to some of the highest payrolls in global sports. From ambitious underdogs to title-chasing giants, clubs across the league spend vastly different amounts on player wages. These payrolls often reflect broader strategies: some clubs prioritize sustainability and development, while others go all-in to secure silverware and global prestige.
In this breakdown, we rank all 20 Premier League clubs by their total weekly and annual wage bills in 2025 — starting with the smallest and ending with the biggest spender of them all.
20. Ipswich Town – £784,000 per week / £40,768,000 per year
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Ipswich Town enters the Premier League with the smallest payroll, spending just £784,000 per week. Their total annual wage bill of £40.8 million reflects a pragmatic approach centered around loan deals, academy products, and free agents to ensure survival.
19. Brentford – £852,750 per week / £44,343,400 per year
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Brentford continues to punch above their financial weight with a weekly payroll of £852,750. Despite a total of just £44.3 million per year, their smart, data-driven recruitment has allowed them to remain a mid-table force.
18. Southampton – £971,000 per week / £50,492,000 per year
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With a wage bill of £971,000 per week, Southampton spends just over £50 million annually. The club remains committed to youth development and rebuilding after relegation and promotion turbulence.
17. Bournemouth – £1,036,500 per week / £53,898,000 per year
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Bournemouth spends just over £1 million per week on wages, totaling nearly £54 million a year. While their spending has increased slightly, they still operate with caution and discipline.
16. Nottingham Forest – £1,115,500 per week / £58,006,000 per year
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Forest’s payroll stands at £1.1 million per week, amounting to £58 million annually. After an aggressive transfer spree last season, the club is now focused on trimming costs and building long-term stability.
15. Brighton – £1,210,750 per week / £62,959,000 per year
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Brighton has built a competitive team with one of the most cost-efficient payrolls in the league, paying £1.2 million a week. Their total of £63 million a year is well-justified by their consistent overperformance and successful player trading model.
14. Wolverhampton – £1,220,000 per week / £63,440,000 per year
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Wolves maintain a £1.22 million weekly wage structure, totaling £63.4 million per year. The club’s recruitment strategy, especially through Portuguese and South American markets, has allowed them to stay competitive while keeping payroll modest.
13. Leicester – £1,282,500 per week / £66,690,000 per year
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Leicester City spends £1.28 million a week on salaries, equating to almost £67 million a year. The club is carefully navigating its return to the Premier League with a measured approach to wages and squad development.
12. Fulham – £1,375,500 per week / £71,526,000 per year
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Fulham’s wage bill has steadily increased to £1.38 million a week, or £71.5 million annually. The club is now focused on building long-term Premier League stability, combining youth and veteran experience.
11. Crystal Palace – £1,417,000 per week / £73,684,000 per year
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Crystal Palace pays just under £1.42 million per week, amounting to £73.7 million per year. Their experienced squad has helped them avoid relegation battles, and they’ve stuck to a sustainable wage structure.
10. Everton – £1,419,000 per week / £73,788,000 per year
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Despite financial turmoil off the pitch, Everton maintains a high wage bill of £1.42 million per week. With long-standing contracts and big-name signings from previous seasons, their total spending hits nearly £74 million a year.
9. Newcastle United – £1,830,300 per week / £95,175,600 per year
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Newcastle’s payroll has climbed to £1.83 million a week, or £95.2 million per year, reflecting their growing ambition under new ownership. Investment in high-profile players has placed them firmly in the top 10.
8. West Ham United – £1,956,500 per week / £101,738,000 per year
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West Ham’s European success has led to an increased wage commitment, now at nearly £2 million a week. Their annual payroll of £101.7 million supports a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts.
7. Tottenham Hotspur – £2,184,250 per week / £113,581,000 per year
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Tottenham maintains a weekly wage bill of £2.18 million, totaling £113.6 million per year. Their payroll reflects a deliberate balance between established stars and academy graduates.
6. Aston Villa – £2,514,650 per week / £130,761,800 per year
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Villa has become a serious top-six contender, now spending over £2.5 million per week in wages. Their total of £130.8 million annually demonstrates their growing ambition and success in recent campaigns.
5. Liverpool – £2,790,650 per week / £145,113,800 per year
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Liverpool spends £2.79 million per week and £145.1 million annually on wages, investing wisely in a mix of world-class talent and promising youth. Their wage structure remains disciplined despite competing at the highest level.
4. Chelsea – £3,267,800 per week / £169,925,600 per year
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Chelsea pays out £3.27 million per week, or £169.9 million per year, keeping them among the league’s biggest spenders. Even with a trimmed squad, their influx of big-money transfers has kept wages high.
3. Arsenal – £3,268,000 per week / £169,936,000 per year
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Arsenal’s payroll stands just above Chelsea’s at £3.27 million a week. Their investment in young stars and contract extensions for key players have driven their total to nearly £170 million per year.
2. Manchester United – £3,315,750 per week / £172,419,000 per year
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Manchester United maintains a massive wage bill of £3.32 million per week and over £172 million per year. Despite inconsistent performances, the club continues to spend heavily on top-tier talent.
1. Manchester City – £4,321,800 per week / £224,733,600 per year
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Topping the list, Manchester City pays £4.32 million per week—by far the highest in the league. Their annual payroll of £224.7 million reflects their elite squad depth, global dominance, and relentless title pursuit.
Rasmus Kristensen is a passionate content creator for Lente Desportiva, covering football, Formula 1, and rugby. Although still new to the media world, he’s already making waves with his sharp insights and engaging storytelling. With a fresh voice and fearless approach, Rasmus is quickly becoming one to watch in the world of sports journalism.