FIFA has confirmed that this summer saw an unprecedented $7.36 billion spent by clubs on international transfer fees, with the Saudi Pro League coming in second only to the Premier League in terms of spending.

According to a statement from the world football governing body, English clubs led the way in terms of the costliest arrivals from abroad, with a total expenditure of $1.98 billion across 449 transfers.

The Saudi Pro League closely followed with a combined spending of $875 million.

Notably, the Saudi Pro League's figure, boosted by Neymar's $96 million transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, could have been even higher if Al Ittihad had succeeded in their $187 million bid for Mohamed Salah on the September 1 deadline day.

"European football continues to be the benchmark for the game globally, and the Saudi investment in the game will divert its focus towards the infrastructure, to elevate the level of Asian football," Deloitte Sports Business Group Izzy Wray said on Friday.