Premier League clubs smash summer transfer spending record

LONDON, Sept 1 : The Premier League has smashed its summer spending record for the second successive season as once again England's top-flight clubs flex their financial muscles.Manchester City's signing of Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye for a reported £65 million pushed the total gross spend in the window to an eye-watering £3.198 billion.With more late deals still in the pipeline, the total already eclipses last summer when the combined spend of the 20 clubs breached the £3 billion barrier for the first time.Five years ago the total was £1.13 billion. Three players alone cost a combined £333 million with Manchester City signing midfielder Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116 million, Morgan Rogers switching from Aston Villa to Chelsea for £117 million and Tottenham Hotspur brea