Premier League clubs easily the biggest spenders in Europe during summer transfer window

FILE - This is a Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014 file photo of AS Monaco player Radamel Falcao as he gives a thumbs up to fans as he warms up on the sideline during the second half of the Emirates Cup soccer match between AS Monaco and Valencia at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in London. Radamel Falcao is set to join Manchester United on loan after the Premier League club agreed to a loan deal with Monaco, a person with knowledge of the deal said Monday Sept. 1, 2014. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File) (The Associated Press)

England's Danny Welbeck points during a training session at London Colney, Monday, Sept. 1, 2014. England will play Norway in an international friendly soccer match at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) (The Associated Press)

English Premier League clubs spent a record 835 million pounds ($1.38 million) on players during the summer transfer window, almost twice as much as any of Europe's other top leagues.

A study by football finance expert Deloitte shows gross spending in England's top league was up more than 30 percent on the previous record of 630 million pounds ($1.04 million) set in 2013.

Deloitte says Spain was second-highest of the so-called "big five" divisions in Europe, with an outlay of 425 million pounds ($700 million).

Capped by the deadline-day signing of Colombia striker Radamel Falcao, Manchester United drove English spending by paying about 150 million pounds ($250 million) as part of its rebuilding under Louis van Gaal. That's the most spent by a Premier League club in a summer window.