12 Feb 2009Real Madrid sit atop rich league

Football Clubs News | Football Finance News

Real Madrid have topped the list of the world's richest clubs for the fourth year in succession, it was revealed today (February 12th).

The latest Deloitte Football Money League, which is based on financial figures for last season, puts Los Merengues' wealth at £289.6 million, ahead of Manchester United (£257.1 million).

There were seven Premier League sides in the top 20, with Chelsea (£212.9 million), Arsenal (£209.3 million) and Liverpool (£167 million) taking fifth, sixth and seventh places respectively.

Dan Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, said: "If the exchange rate value of the pound had not depreciated, there would have been nine, rather than seven English clubs in the top 20 and Manchester United would have topped the Money League ahead of Real Madrid."

Mr Jones added that with Real budgeting for a revenue of €400 million (£361.5 million) for the 2008-09 season, it is highly unlikely that they will be deposed from the top of next year's list.

The other English sides to make the top 20 were Tottenham (14th), Newcastle (17th) and Manchester City (20th).

Real Madrid have won the European Cup/Champions League a record nine times.

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