The Premier League will move to new financial rules in July, called squad cost ratio.
It is designed to ensure competition for European places but allowing those who do not qualify to spend more money.
The nine teams in Europe can only spend 70% of their revenue on their squad, per Uefa’s rule.
For the other 11, it starts at 85% but could potentially go as high as 115%.
Uefa sees this as a problem. It fears clubs in Europe will have to spend more to sign players and to keep those they already have.
Take Bournemouth‘s signing of Rayan from Vasco de Gama in January, breaking the Brazilian club’s transfer record in the process.
In March he made his Brazil debut, and this month he was named in his country’s squad for the World Cup.
This was the kind of signing that you would have expected Juventus, Inter Milan or AC Milan to make, bringing a 19-year-old over to Europe as one of the Selecao’s brightest prospects.
Now such is the spending power of the Premier League, a club like Bournemouth can offer more money than the old guard – and provide a clear stepping stone for future development as seen by Dean Huijsen’s move to Real Madrid.
“It’s indicative of the gulf that exists,” Maguire added. “To a certain extent, it’s testament to the enthusiasm for football in the UK. We’ve seen increased attendances on a regular basis because the sport is so dominant.
“A significant proportion of overseas players are now choosing to play in England than elsewhere in Europe because of the wages on offer.”
These players are no longer always looking at Italy or Spain, now it’s often Bournemouth, Brighton and Brentford.
And it is these clubs, backed by the Premier League millions, who are filling the secondary competitions.
The Europa League looks to be a stronger competition next season, however. AC Milan, Juventus and Benfica are also inside the Deloitte top 20, while Bayer Leverkusen offer clear pedigree.
Sunderland and Bournemouth will be in the competition, joined by Palace as Conference League winners. It will present a real test of the Premier League’s dominant position and its financial power.
But Brighton will be by far the richest team in the Conference League and will be the clear favourites to win it.
Just do not expect the Premier League to brush teams aside so easily in the Champions League.
