Football

Premier League 2024/25: Ranking Clubs by Points per Million Spent

What if the Premier League table wasn’t decided by goals, but by how wisely clubs spent their money?
The 2024/25 season was filled with drama, but behind the headlines lies a different story — one of efficiency. While some teams splashed the cash to great effect, others wasted millions for minimal return.

To get a clearer picture, we’ve re-ranked all 20 clubs based on how many points they earned per €1 million spent in the transfer market. This alternative table tells a very different story — one that highlights smart strategy over raw spending power.

Let’s count down from the least efficient spenders all the way to the club that mastered value for money: the most cost-effective team of the season.

20. Southampton – 0.10 points per million

Southampton FC
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Southampton struggled both on and off the pitch last season, finishing 20th in this alternative ranking. With just 0.10 points gained per million euros spent, their return on investment was the worst in the league. Relegation was a financial inevitability as much as a sporting one.

Read also: Top 50 Most Productive Assisters in World Football (2024/25) - Ranked

19. Ipswich – 0.14 points per million

Ipswich Town
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Another relegated side, Ipswich Town, also fared poorly when comparing spend to output. Earning only 0.14 points per €1 million, their lack of Premier League experience showed both tactically and economically. Survival was always going to be an uphill battle.

18. Manchester United – 0.17 points per million

Manchester United
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Manchester United’s disastrous campaign wasn’t just bad on the field — it was brutally inefficient financially. With one of the league’s highest budgets, they returned just 0.17 points per million, a figure that would have seen them relegated in this model.

17. Tottenham – 0.20 points per million

Tottenham Hotspur
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Tottenham, who already underperformed in the actual standings, don’t look any better here. Their 0.20 points per million spent show that big signings didn’t translate into results. The return was poor, and the club will need a rethink.

16. Brighton – 0.22 points per million

Brighton & Hove Albion
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Brighton were known for smart business in recent years, but 2024/25 was not their most efficient campaign. Despite a mid-table finish, their 0.22 points per million suggests diminishing returns on investment this time around.

Read also: Top 25 Highest-Paid Players in Liga Portugal - 2025/26 Salary Rankings

15. Chelsea – 0.24 points per million

Chelsea
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Chelsea’s spending spree continues to draw criticism, and this ranking doesn’t help their case. With 0.24 points per million spent, they failed to turn their big-money moves into consistent performances, even with a top-four finish in the real table.

14. Leicester – 0.27 points per million

Leicester City
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Leicester couldn’t avoid the drop in the actual league, and this model explains why. Despite not being the biggest spenders, their return of 0.27 points per million wasn't enough to stay afloat — both financially and competitively.

13. Manchester City – 0.29 points per million

Manchester City
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City racked up 71 points in real life, but their colossal €243 million spend means just 0.29 points per million. This puts them far down the efficiency rankings. Winning might come at a cost, but this season’s price tag was particularly steep.

12. West Ham – 0.31 points per million

West Ham United
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West Ham’s season was steady, and so was their spending. Earning 0.31 points per million euros, they land mid-table in this list. Not bad, but certainly not the sharpest in terms of financial efficiency.

Read also: The 50 most Goalscoring Defenders in Europe's Top 5 Leagues – Ranked

11. Aston Villa – 0.31 points per million

Aston Villa
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Aston Villa impressed on the pitch by finishing sixth, but they didn’t exactly do it on a budget. Like West Ham, they earned 0.31 points per million – a solid return, but one that might need improvement for sustained European ambitions.

10. Wolves – 0.34 points per million

Wolverhampton
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Wolves were one of the more frugal sides last season, and it showed. Though their overall points total wasn’t impressive, they earned 0.34 points per million spent – cracking the top 10 in financial efficiency.

9. Bournemouth – 0.42 points per million

AFC Bournemouth
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Bournemouth quietly had a decent season, and they did it with financial control. Earning 0.42 points per million puts them among the better-run clubs in terms of transfer output, punching above their economic weight.

8. Brentford – 0.57 points per million

Brentford FC
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Brentford continue to make the most of a tight budget. Their 0.57 points per million places them in the top eight, proving once again that clever scouting and smart buys can outperform flashier spending.

Read also: The 20 Greatest Football Stadiums in Britain - Ranked

7. Crystal Palace – 0.58 points per million

Crystal Palace
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Crystal Palace flew under the radar this season, but their return of 0.58 points per million is a testament to shrewd management. They avoided the drop comfortably while maintaining efficient operations.

6. Fulham – 0.59 points per million

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Fulham had a respectable campaign and did it without breaking the bank. With 0.59 points per million euros, they showed that balancing ambition with budget is still possible in the modern Premier League.

5. Nottingham Forest – 0.62 points per million

Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest impressed both in survival and financial prudence. Earning 0.62 points per million spent, they outperformed expectations and proved the value of smart recruitment.

4. Arsenal – 0.68 points per million

Arsenal
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Arsenal were runners-up in the real standings, but in this model, they rank fourth. Their 0.68 points per million is a decent return for a title-chasing side, though still far behind the most efficient clubs.

Read also: Top 50 Goalscorers in World Football (2024/25) – Ranked

3. Everton – 0.96 points per million

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Everton’s real-life struggles don’t reflect their financial efficiency. They may have finished 13th, but their 0.96 points per million is the third-best return in the league. A rare bright spot in a turbulent season.

2. Newcastle – 0.97 points per million

Newcastle United
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Newcastle’s disciplined spending and on-field results paid off. With just over €68 million spent, they ended up with 66 points — earning 0.97 per million. That’s second-best in the league, and a sign of sustainable growth.

1. Liverpool – 2.00 points per million

Liverpool
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Liverpool were simply in a league of their own. With just €42 million spent and 84 points earned, they achieved a staggering 2.00 points per €1 million. Arne Slot’s debut season delivered not only a title — but the most efficient campaign in Premier League history.