Premier League clubs paid almost £320m in agents' fees during the year from 1 February 2022 to 31 January 2023, new Football Association figures show.
The £318.2m paid to intermediaries was up from £272.6m the previous year.
Manchester City paid the most - £51.56m - and the period includes the signing of Norwegian striker Erling Haaland.
City paid a £51.2m release clause for the Borussia Dortmund forward and it is widely assumed there were huge agents' fees and salaries involved.
Chelsea, who made 15 significant signings, including loans, are the next highest at £43.16m. Liverpool paid £33.