English football clubs went spending crazy this summer in an attempt to compete with money mad Chelsea, bankrolled by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Higher broadcasting fees and ambitious foreign owners meant English football clubs splashed out a record 500 million pounds in transfer fees this summer. The amount doled out by England’s top four divisions surpasses the previous record of 300 million spent in summer 2006.

Despite winning the Premiership last season Manchester United were the biggest spenders during 2007, shelling out £51 million on players. United have further strengthened their squad, bringing in Adidas +Predator Absolute football boot wearers Owen Hargreaves and Anderson, alongside Nike’s Mercurial Vapor III wearing Nani and Puma V-Konstrukt II endorsee Michael Carrick.

Liverpool’s new owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have spent a whopping £50 million this summer, a move which is currently paying off, with them sitting on top of the Premiership for the first time under Rafa Benitez. Half of the £50 million pounds has been spent on the single purchase of Fernando Torres and his Nike Total 90 Laser football boots from Atletico Madrid, whilst the ‘pool’ have also recruited speedsters and Nike Mercurial Vapor III football boot wearers Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun, along with free transfer Andriy Voronin and his Adidas +Predator Absolutes.

Spurs and Sunderland spent £40 million and £35 million pounds respectively. The two clubs have spent similar amounts, though they will have different aims. Spurs will need to qualify for the Champions League to appease Daniel Levy, whilst Roy Keane will hope his big money buys keep the ‘black cats’ in the Premiership.

The White Hart Lane club have brought in Gareth Bale, who opened his season account against Fulham on Saturday, and his Adidas +50 Tunit 2, as well as striker Darren Bent (Nike Mercurial Vapor III) from relegated Charlton Athletic.

£20 million pounds of Sunderland’s outlay has been on stopper Craig Gordon from Hearts (Puma King), Manchester United old boy Kieran Richardson (Adidas +F50 Tunit 2) and striker Michael Chopra (Umbro X Boot III). The wearside club may have to spend similar money in January if they are to remain in the top flight next season.

Twelve Premier League clubs spent more than 20 million pounds on transfers this summer, compared with just three — Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur - which spent that much last year.