Money doesn't always buy success - but it certainly helps.

Just look at Manchester City. Since being taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group in 2008, they've won the Premier League four times, two FA Cups and four League Cups.

An unprecedented third-successive league title is expected of the Citizens this season, too, and it's largely down to the money they've spent.

Over the past 10 years, City have spent a staggering £1.52bn on 278 new signings - almost £200m more than anyone else.

They've sold more players in that time (280) but only made £452m from those sales, making their net spend in excess of -£1bn.

If evidence was needed that City have a bottomless pit of wealth at their disposal, those figures are provide it.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea are also known for spending vast amounts of money, as are Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.

Per TransferMarkt, the top 20 spenders in world football since 2009/10 have been revealed and there's only two clubs with a positive net spend: Monaco and Borussia Dortmund.

Seven out of the 20 teams have spent over £1bn in the last 10 years, while Liverpool and Atletico Madrid are getting pretty close.

It's the Premier League that dominates, though, with Man City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton all featuring.

Balancing the books clearly isn't an issue for Europe's elite sides, with only Monaco and Dortmund boasting a positive net spend.

Give it two or three more years and there's a good chance City will have passed the £2bn mark for expenditure.