The cost of living crisis in England has passed Premier League clubs by with the all-time record for an entire season, £1.86 billion ($2.15 billion) from 2017-18, under threat of being broken come the closing of the transfer window later on Thursday.

Manchester City strengthened their injury-hit defense on Thursday by signing Swiss international Manuel Akanji on a five-year deal from Borussia Dortmund.

Human rights campaigners on Thursday slammed David Beckham for fronting a glossy publicity campaign praising World Cup host Qatar as "perfection", despite concerns over its rights record.

Chelsea is getting precious little return for being the biggest-spending team in Europe this summer.

And it's not escaping the attention of Thomas Tuchel, either.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reiterated Wednesday that Cristiano Ronaldo will not be leaving the team in the final days of the transfer window.

The uncertainty around Ronaldo's future at United only increased following the signing of another forward, Brazil international Antony, from Ajax on Tuesday.

The New York Yankees have purchased a minority stake in Italian football champion AC Milan, which announced the closing of its latest ownership change Wednesday.

RedBird Capital Partners completed the deal to purchase a controlling interest in the seven-time European champion for 1.2 billion euros ($1.2 billion).

Wesley Fofana became one of the most expensive defenders in football history after securing a move to Chelsea from Premier League rival Leicester for a reported fee of 75 million pounds ($87 million) on Wednesday.

The signing of the 21-year-old French center back took Chelsea's spending in this transfer window to about $270 million, with the vast majority of that on defenders. Left back Marc Cucurella ($65 million) and center back Kalidou Koulibaly ($38 million) have already moved to Stamford Bridge.

Premier League clubs have never spent more in a summer transfer window.

They aren't done yet.

A look at what's happening in European soccer on Tuesday:

ENGLAND

Valencia has signed veteran Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani on a two-year contract.

The 35-year-old Cavani had been without a club since his contract with Manchester United expired at the end of last season.