Why are Premier League transfer fees soaring?

Why are Premier League transfer fees soaring?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Elliot Anderson and Morgan Rogers on England dutyByMohamed MoallimBBC Sport JournalistPublished1 minute agoCommentsThirty-four years ago a £13m transfer caused national outrage in Italy.When AC Milan signed Gianluigi Lentini from Torino in 1992 for a then world record fee, newspapers called the deal "obscene", while the Vatican's official newspaper described it as "an offence against the dignity of work".Today that fee would barely register among the Premier League's biggest transfers.This summer alone Chelsea have agreed a club record £117m deal for Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, Manchester City paid Nottingham Forest £116m for Elliot Anderson, and Tottenham spent a club record £100m on Sandro Tonali.These are not the only major deals. Tottenham also agreed an £85m move for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, Barcelona paid £69m to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United, and Manchester United spent £50m on Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos.It is the first transfer window in Premier League history to produce three £100m-plus signings - and there are still weeks to go before deadline day on 1 September.During the 2025 summer window English top-flight clubs spent a record £3bn.So why are transfer fees continuing to climb? Why are clubs paying record sums for players already playing in England? And why are more clubs willing to sell some of their biggest stars?Why are clubs paying more than ever?Rogers' move perhaps best illustrates how today's market works.Chelsea are buying a player from Villa, who have finished above them in three of the past four seasons. Traditionally, clubs might have been reluctant to strengthen a direct rival in those circumstances.Instead, Chelsea simply met Villa's valuation.Football finance expert Kieran Maguire says one record fee quickly influences the next."It sets a benchmark," he says. "...