£39m + 12m in add ins according to sky. A lot of money but not crazy levels especially if he continues in this form. The top clubs have the pick of the players, already have solid squads so aren’t forced into anything and can take advantage when there’s a good deal available. Agree Liverpool are probably the best around at the moment for sensible transfer strategy.
On the other hand we have to scrap for every deal and compete with other mid table PL clubs and foreign clubs in Europe so it pushes the price up for average players. When the deals for the top players become available they don’t want to come here, just look at Bentancur. It’s certainly easier to maintain the position in the “top 6” than it is to break in.