Top 10 Richest Soccer Clubs

Deloitte Football Money League has just released its study of the top richest clubs based on 2007-2008 revenue. Real Madrid is still the top money-making football club in the world, beating European champions Manchester United due to the plunging pound. But it is reported that the Spanish giants is still keen on signing Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo by borrowing €70 million from the country’s largest bank, Santander.

According to Deloitte, Madrid generated €365.8 million in the year ending last June. Had the pound stayed steady at the June 2007 rate, United’s revenue of £257.1 million would have equated to €382 million rather than €324.8 million. Due to the global financial meltdown, and the currency market, United would have slipped to third spot behind Barcelona.

After last season’s domestic and Champions League success, the Red Devils money men have plenty to cheer about as their revenues increased by £45 million over the previous season. Chelsea is the second-richest club in the English Premier League (EPL). The Blues’ revenue grew by 12 per cent and is reportedly wooing AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti to replace interim boss Guus Hiddink at the end of the season.

Arsenal’s new Emirates Stadium continues to be a success story, at least in financial terms. The 60,000-seat arena contributed match-day revenue of £94.6 million last season, which is 45% of Arsenal’s total earnings.

Liverpool, with an average crowd of 43,500, generated just £39.2 million in match-day revenue, highlighting a desperate need for a new stadium. That depends on the club being sold by their American owners, who hope the 25 per cent increase in turnover will attract buyers.

Top 10 Richest Soccer Clubs

1 Real Madrid, Spain, €365.8 million
2 Manchester United, England, €324.8m
3 Barcelona, Spain, €308.8m
4 Bayern Munich, Germany, €295.3m
5 Chelsea, England, €268.9m
6 Arsenal, England, €264.4m
7 Liverpool, England, €210.9m
8 AC Milan, Italy, €209.5m
9 AS Roma, Italy, €175.4 m
10 Inter Milan, Italy, €172.9m

The next top 10 richest soccer clubs

11 Juventus, Italy, €167.5m
12 Lyon, France, €155.7m
13 Schalke, Germany, €148.4m
14 Tottenham, England, €145m
15 Hamburg, Germany, €127.9m
16 Marseille, France, €126.8m
17 Newcastle, England, €125.6m
18 Stuttgart, Germany, €111.5m
19 Fenerbahce, Turkey, €111.3m
20 Manchester City, England, €104m