In one month, England midfielders Elliot Anderson and Morgan Rogers each broke the British transfer record. Anderson joined Manchester City from Nottingham Forest for £116m, then Chelsea signed Rogers from Aston Villa for £117m. Both are 23, offering potential and proven Premier League quality.

Anderson started seven World Cup matches as England finished third, leading the league in touches (3,300), duels won (297), possessions won (306), fouls won (80), passes completed (2,038) and line-breaking passes (376) for Forest. Rogers contributed 14 goals and 12 assists in 55 games for Villa, ranking second among Europe's midfielders for touches in the opposition box (181).

The Premier League's home-grown rule, requiring eight squad places for English or Welsh academy products, drives a premium for such players. Bournemouth rejected a £64m Chelsea bid for Alex Scott, 22, while Adam Wharton, 22, of Crystal Palace attracts interest from Liverpool, Chelsea and City.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire notes fees are not inflated relative to revenue. In 1992-93, Alan Shearer's £3.3m fee was 35% of average club turnover (£9.3m); today, 35% of the £342m average revenue is £121m, close to the Anderson and Rogers fees.