With six weeks to go until the Premier League begins, English soccer’s top clubs are gearing up for preseason training and in the process of reshaping their squads in what is set to be another off-season of heavy spending. In 2016, the Premier League spent more than 1 billion pounds (now $1.3 billion) in an off-season transfer window for the first time, at least doubling the amount spent in any of the other big leagues in Europe. ——MANCHESTER CITYManchester City was the biggest Premier League spender last year ahead of Pep Guardiola’s first season in charge, splashing out nearly 175 million pounds (now $225 million). Sanchez, in particular, would be a massive loss to manager Arsene Wenger after finishing last season with 24 league goals. United, which is back in the Champions League, already has signed Sweden centre back Victor Lindelof from Benfica for 35 million euros ($39.4 million).

Source: National Post June 28, 2017 15:17 UTC