The Premier League's top four are threatening to break further away from the rest of the top flight in terms of spending power, with none of their rivals willing to sanction wages in excess of £100,000 a week this summer.
Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea were already well clear in the wages league and the gap appears to be widening as the financial impact of the pandemic begins to be felt.
While fifth-placed payers Arsenal have been active in the market in spending £130million, the club have also made a clear attempt to trim their wage bill, with the largely young players they have signed being offered relatively modest terms.