Premier League leads record transfer spree

AFP, PARIS: The cash-loaded English Premier League led a record-breaking raid for talent by Europe's top clubs before the transfer window slams shut Wednesday, with Arsenal alone paying more than 60 million euros for German defender Shkodran Mustafi and Spanish striker Lucas Perez.
More big names were lined up for moves Wednesday with Liverpool's outcast striker Mario Balotelli having a medical at French club Nice. England midfielder Jack Wilshere was expected to leave Arsenal on loan.
The Premier League's TV riches have fuelled transfer inflation across the continent, with Inter Milan and Barcelona paying top dollar for Brazil's exciting Olympic gold medal-winning striker Gabriel 'Gabigol' Barbosa and Valencia goal-scorer Paco Alcacer respectively.
About 50 million euros were spent on the pair and most analysts predict European spending will easily be the highest yet when the two-month transfer window closes -- between 1600 GMT for the Bundesliga and 2200 GMT for the Premier League.
Spending by England's 20-club Premier League alone was expected to bust the one billion pounds (1.17 billion euros, $1.3 billion) barrier after Manchester United set a new world record with the 89 million pound purchase this month of French midfielder Paul Pogba.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was one of the late big-spenders. The Gunners, eighth in the early standings, spent an estimated 35 million pounds (42 million euros) to bring German international defender Mustafi from Valencia.

Premier League leads record transfer spree

AFP, PARIS: The cash-loaded English Premier League led a record-breaking raid for talent by Europes top clubs before the transfer window slams shut Wednesday, with Arsenal alone paying more than 60 million euros for German defender Shkodran Mustafi and Spanish striker Lucas Perez. More big names were lined up for moves Wednesday with Liverpools outcast striker Mario Balotelli having a medical at French club Nice. England midfielder Jack Wilshere was expected to leave Arsenal on loan. The Premier Leagues TV riches have fuelled transfer inflation across the continent, with Inter Milan and Barcelona paying top dollar for Brazils exciting Olympic gold medal-winning striker Gabriel Gabigol Barbosa and Valencia goal-scorer Paco Alcacer respectively. About 50 million euros were spent on the pair and most analysts predict European spending will easily be the highest yet when the two-month transfer window closes -- between 1600 GMT for the Bundesliga and 2200 GMT for the Premier League. Spending by Englands 20-club Premier League alone was expected to bust the one billion pounds (1.17 billion euros, $1.3 billion) barrier after Manchester United set a new world record with the 89 million pound purchase this month of French midfielder Paul Pogba. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was one of the late big-spenders. The Gunners, eighth in the early standings, spent an estimated 35 million pounds (42 million euros) to bring German international defender Mustafi from Valencia.