They may take a back seat when it comes to the daily grind of running their clubs, but the men with the Premier League's deepest pockets will have a big say this summer.
The transfer window is clicking into gear as the managers, sporting directors and chief executives of the Premier League’s top clubs launch their best-laid plans to attract some of Europe’s finest and most desirable footballers.
But the transfer market’s movers and shakers are themselves answerable to a higher power; a select group of extremely wealthy men from around the world who will sign off on every deal from a personal assortment of plush mansions, private planes and luxury yachts.