Since the Premier League's inaugural season back in 1992, top tier sides have accumulated a whopping £9.8 billion net spend, with superstar talents from Europe and beyond turning the English top tier into the most-watched football league in the world. Here's a look at where Sunderland past Premier League net-spending ranks in the top forty.
1. Ipswich Town - £16m
Most expensive signing: Matteo Sereni from Sampdoria - £5.6 million Photo: Stu Forster
2. Reading - £22m
Most expensive signing: Greg Halford from Oxford United - £2.5 million Photo: Richard Heathcote
3. Sheffield Wednesday - £25m
Most expensive signing: Gilles de Bild from PSV - £3 million Photo: Clive Brunskill
4. Charlton Athletic - £25m
Most expensive signing: Jason Euell from Wimbledon - £4.75 million Photo: Ben Radford