Gerry Boon, founder of the Deloitte and Touche Football Finance Review, said figures to be released on Thursday will show "another dramatic increase".

"I don't think the supporters will be surprised," said Boon. "They're used to seeing 20 per cent plus annual growth in wages since the Premiereship began.

Boon said the current financial climate was creating divisions within teams.

"As clubs get more organised what they'll do is segment their playing squads," said Boon. "There will be three categories, the star, the first team player and the squad player.

"The star players will continue to see their wages sky-rocket."

Since the premier league was formed in 1992 players, thanks to huge television revenues and the Bosman ruling on free movement, have seen their average annual wages go from 75,000 to 250,000 pounds ($403,800).

According to Boon's research, the average salary of the premier league's 750 players last season was 250,000 pounds, a 35 percent increase over the previous season.

Rich clubs

"Everything seems to be going to the players," said Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, vice-president of European Cup finalists Bayern Munich. "There aren't many rich clubs but there are a lot of poor ones."

Boon says his latest figures indicate a dramatic shift of power within the sport.

"The power, as far as I'm concerned now, is already with the players," said Boon, during a conference discussing the future direction of the sport. "What the clubs will need to do is control costs.

"Wages now count for over 50 percent of a club's revenue and 10 years ago it was 37 per cent - that's a big shift, a lot of value."