See why this could be the costliest transfer window yet

The transfer window has opened again and I expect there to be a flurry of signings. It's a massive season for staying in the Premier League - the new television deal next year ramps up the income levels again. There are things at the top and the bottom of the league at play this season that will affect who spends, and how much they spend.

Top of the league

It's all up for grabs. Not just the title, but the Champions League places, that could go to any of a number of clubs. Even Chelsea will fancy putting on a great run and snatching a European place this season. I think that the title could still be won by Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Leicester City or Tottenham Hotspur. This means that all of these teams could invest in their squad. Louis van Gaal has said he needs a striker, Spurs need backup for Harry Kane, Leicester will look for quality and Man City can always spend big. There's plenty of legs in the title race and while that's a possibility, teams will try to influence it with their chequebooks.

European places
It's not over for the likes of Liverpool, Everton or even Chelsea, so there's European football to play for right down to the bottom third of the league. The Europa League had been a bit of a poisoned chalice in recent seasons but I think that Tottenham this year have shown it doesn't have to be. Teams will always prefer the Champions League but the Europa League can be a money-spinner, a chance to use the squad and an opportunity to blood youngsters. Teams will spend to get there, but not excessively.

Relegation
The relegation battle will be the fiercest ever, with the money at stake. Consequently the money spend will hit a new high, in my opinion. The following teams could still go down


Aston Villa
Sunderland
Newcastle United
Norwich City
Swansea City
Bournemouth
And even Chelsea

The activity could be intense because all of these teams have some major flaws that need to be addressed. Sunderland need a new defence (and Newcastle need help in this area too) whilst Bournemouth have lost some of their major attacking players to long-term injuries. You have to speculate to accumulate.